Leonard Liebling
American music critic, writer, librettist, editor, pianist, and composer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leonard Liebling (February 7, 1874 – October 28, 1945[1]) was an American music critic, writer, librettist, editor, pianist, and composer. He is best remembered as the long-time editor-in-chief of the Musical Courier from 1911 to 1945.[1][2]
- Music critic
- Writer
- Librettist
- Editor-in-chief
- Pianist
- Composer
Leonard Liebling | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 7, 1874 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 28, 1945 (aged 71) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | City College of New York |
| Occupations |
|
| Organizations | |
| Parent(s) | Max Liebling Matilde Perkiewicz |
| Relatives | Estelle Liebling (sister) Emil, Sally, Georg (uncles) |
Life and career
Born into a Jewish family in New York City, Liebling was the son of composer Max Liebling (1845–1927) and his wife Matilde née de Perkiewicz.[3] His father and his three uncles, Emil, Sally, and Georg Liebling, were all pupils of Franz Liszt and had successful careers as pianists and composers.[2][3] His brother James Liebling was also a professional musician, and his sister Estelle Liebling was a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera who became a famous voice teacher and coach.[3]
After graduating from the City College of New York in 1897, Liebling pursued music studies in Berlin where he was a pupil of Leopold Godowsky (piano), Theodor Kullak (piano), Karl Heinrich Barth (piano), and Heinrich Urban (composition).[1] He then worked as a concert pianist and piano teacher in Europe before returning to the United States to join the staff of the Musical Courier, a music journal published weekly, in 1902.[1] He remained with that publication until his death 43 years later, first serving as a music critic, and then rising to post of editor-in-chief from 1911 to 1945.[1] Liebling's column in the Musical Courier was entitled "Variations", and he was known for his insightful wit.[4] He also concurrently served as music critic for the New York Journal-American from 1923 to 1936.[1] In 1904 he married Eda Baxter of Brooklyn.[1]
Outside of music criticism, Liebling wrote the libretti for at least four comic operas: The Glass Blowers (1909, music by John Philip Sousa;[5] revived in 1913 as The American Maid); The Girl and the Kaiser (1910, with music by Georg Jarno); Vera Violetta (1911, with music by Edmund Eysler); and Frederick Lonsdale and Frank Curzon's The Balkan Princess (1911 Broadway version).[1] As a composer he wrote an orchestral overture, a trio, several works for solo piano, and several art songs.[1] He was an active member of the Lotos Club and The Lambs.[1] He also served as the arbiter for the nationally broadcast radio quiz show So You Think You Know Music from 1939 to 1941 on CBS Radio.[6]
Liebling died of a heart attack at the Hotel Buckingham, now The Quin, in New York City in 1945.[1]
