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Ľudovít Rajter
Ľudovít Rajter (Hungarian: Rajter Lajos; 30 July 1906 – 6 July 2000) was a Slovak composer and conductor in Pezinok, Austrian Empire. OriginRajter's evangelical family had German-Hungarian and Dutch roots. His father worked as a teacher, cantor, and choral conductor in the service of the Lutheran church. Rajter's family came from southern Germany to Hungary during the reign of Maria Theresa (c.1740). During that time the family's surname was still "Raiter" or "Rayter.” Rajter's family spoke Hungarian, German, and Slovak. LifeProfessional Background and StudiesRajter began his musical training from his father, Lajos Rajter Sr. (1880–1945). He studied at the Town School for Music in Bratislava with Alexander Albrecht from 1915 to 1920.[1] In 1924, he enrolled at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He studied composition with Franz Schmidt and Joseph Marx (composition), conducting with Clemens Krauss and Alexander Wunderer. During this period, Rajter also worked as an assistant to Clemens Krauss (until 1933). Pre-War Years: Bratislava, Salzburg, BudapestIn the four years following his studies in Vienna, he taught at the Municipal Music School in Bratislava and at the Mozarteum Summer School in Salzburg. In 1931 he moved to the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, located in Budapest, studying under Ernst von Dohnányi. In January 1932 he appeared for the first time as guest conductor at the Hungarian Radio. In 1934, he became its official conductor, and in 1935, the first conductor of the national broadcaster in Budapest, and remained in this position until 1944. During these years he, also served as a professor at the Academy of Music in Budapest. Also during this time, Rajter was invited to conduct several European orchestras, and premiered works of numerous Hungarian composers, including the Symphonic Minutes by Ernő Dohnányi. Post-war years: BratislavaIn 1946, Rajter returned to Czechoslovakia and worked until 1949 as chief of the Czecho-Slovak Radio Orchestra in Bratislava. In 1949, he co-founded (together with Václav Talich) the Slovak Philharmonic and became its first conductor. In the Stalinist period, Rajter was deemed "politically non-reliable" by the communist regime of the time, which led to a prohibition on his conducting. It was not until 1953, after Stalin's death, that he was once again appointed the head of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, where he remained until 1961. Ladislav Slovák was given the position of chief dignitary at that time. In 1966, Rajter led a Masterclass for Conductors at the Mozarteum in Salzburg during the Summer Academy. In 1968 he returned as the chief conductor of the Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, remaining there until his retirement in 1976. In 1970 he conducted the nine symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven for the first time in Bratislava as a complete cycle, a project for which he received the Ján Levoslav Bella Prize in the following year. When the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava was founded, he taught there from 1949 to 1976. After his rehabilitation in 1991, he was awarded with the title of professor. Rajter continued to perform actively in concerts. In the 1990s, he was recognized as one of the oldest active conductors. Despite his old age, he continued to receive invitations to perform with foreign orchestras. The Savaria Symphony Orchestra in Szombathely, Hungary appointed him in 1991 as the honorary member of the orchestra for life. DeathOn July 6, 2000, Rajter died in Bratislava. He is buried in Pezinok. Albums (selection)
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