Hanns Eisler was born on July 6, 1898, in Austria. He was raised in a family that valued art and music, and his passion for music developed at a young age. Eisler began studying music at a conservatory in Vienna when he was a teenager, where he showed early talent as a composer. However, his life would take a different turn with the outbreak of World War I.
During World War I, Eisler served as a front-line soldier in the Austro-Hungarian Army. He experienced the horrors of war firsthand and was wounded multiple times. Despite the challenges he faced, Eisler's time in the military shaped his perspective on the world and influenced his future compositions.
After the war, Eisler studied with renowned composer Arnold Schoenberg from 1919 to 1923. He was deeply influenced by Schoenberg's innovative approach to music and became the first of Schoenberg's students to incorporate the twelve-tone or serial technique into his compositions. This marked the beginning of Eisler's career as a composer.
Eisler was known for his collaborations with playwright Bertolt Brecht, with whom he developed the German Democratic Republic's national anthem. The two were close friends and frequent collaborators, working together on various projects that reflected their shared political beliefs and artistic vision.
During the Cold War, Eisler lived, performed, and taught in East Berlin. He was a prominent figure in the cultural scene of the German Democratic Republic and continued to produce music that challenged the political climate of the time. However, his outspoken views and associations would eventually lead to his deportation.
Eisler was one of the first artists to be placed on the Hollywood blacklist by film studio bosses. He was targeted by the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and labeled 'the Karl Marx of music'. Eisler's sister, Ruth Fischer, testified against him before the committee, further adding to the pressures he faced.
Eisler married Charlotte Demant in 1920, but the couple separated in 1934. Despite the challenges in his personal life, Eisler remained dedicated to his music and his beliefs. His deportation in 1948 prompted folk singer Woody Guthrie to write the song "Eisler on the Go," highlighting the impact of Eisler's political persecution on his creative work and legacy.
Throughout his life, Hanns Eisler was a trailblazer in the world of music, using his talent and passion to create compositions that challenged the status quo and celebrated the power of art in shaping society. His legacy lives on through his music and his unwavering commitment to his principles.