Bendix, Victor

Bendix, Victor – Symphony No.1 Op. 16 “Ascension”

(b. Copenhagen, 17 May 1851 – d. Copenhagen, 5 January 1926)

Overture p.1
Notturno p.65
Marcia Solenne p.106
Finale p.131

Preface
Viktor Bendix was the mentor of Carl Nielsen and one of the most admired personalities in Danish musical life. At the same time, he was highly controversial. The Berlin Philharmonic performed his symphonies, women fell at his feet. Affairs with his piano students went so far that one embittered woman even tried to murder him. Musically, the Jew Bendix was as radical as he later became conservative. In short: Viktor Bendix was a person with many facets.

As the son of the music-loving wholesaler Emanuel Bendix, Viktor grew up in a thoroughly intellectual milieu and was musically encouraged at an early age. 13 years old, the boy composed a quartet for oboe, flute, cello and piano. This was to be only the beginning. On 6 November 1866, the 15-year-old received a letter informing him of his admission to “Gade’s Conservatory”. None other than Niels Wilhelm Gade, one of the founding fathers of Danish music, headed the newly founded institute, which eventually became the Royal Danish Conservatory of Music in 1902 and still exists in this form today. Bendix was a pupil of the first class and was taught by the greatest musicians of his country. He received lessons in composition from Gade, J.P.E. Hartmann taught counterpoint, Valdemar Tofte violin, the composer Carl Helsted gave singing lessons, Gottfred Matthison-Hansen led the organ class and August Winding instructed the young Bendix in piano playing. …

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