Emilie Maria von Bachaus modern

Emilie Maria von Bach (* 11 March 1896 in Vienna; † 26 February 1978 ibid.) was an Austrian pianist, violinist, composer and visual artist.

Life

Maria Bach’s parents were the musicians Robert Bonaventura Michael Wenzel von Bach and Eleonore Josepha Maria Theresia Auguste Bach. In 1897 she moved with her family to Schloss Leesdorf in Baden near Vienna, where she grew up with her two older sisters Theresa and Katharina and her younger sister Henriette. At the age of 6 she learned to play the piano at the Grimm Music School in Baden and the violin at the age of 14. In 1907 the family moved to Braiten Castle and Maria played house music with her parents before she began to compose.

She was also a member of the Club of Viennese Women Musicians, which to this day advocates the coexistence of women and men within the women’s movement. Along with Vilma Webenau (1875-1953) and Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden (1857-1944), she was one of the club’s most prominent personalities.

In 1919 she began her composition studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna with Joseph Marx. Bach made her debut as a composer in 1921 with the Narrenlieder for tenor and orchestra, which were later published by Schott. Her works were found acceptable and not banned during the National Socialist era.

In the 1920s she had a relationship with Ivan Boutnikoff, a Russian composer. Maria Bach married the Italian painter Arturo Ciacelli in 1952, with whom she remained until his death in 1966. During her marriage she began to paint and to exhibit her paintings in galleries. Bach painted mainly landscapes, becoming better known for her paintings than for her musical compositions. In 1976 she was awarded the title of professor.

Maria Bach died in February 1978 as a result of smoke inhalation in her Vienna flat. She was buried at the Vienna Central Cemetery on 21 March 1978. Her estate is in the Vienna Library in the City Hall.

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