Volkmar Andreae (05/07/1879 - 19/07/1962), a Swiss conductor and composer (born in Bern). He is remembered primarily as having been the conductor of the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra for over four decades, and one of the city’s most formidable music administrators (he ran the local Conservatory for 25 years). Andreae’s conducting and managerial careers have hitherto largely obscured the fact that he was also one of Switzerland’s most gifted composers. The biggest influence in his early music (despite the allusions to Wagner’s Siegfried in his blacksmith’s song 'Der Schmied') is that of Richard Strauss. However, as the songs recorded here testify, Andreae rapidly developed an individual voice. Besides lieder, his oeuvre includes chamber music, many works for choir, and two operas, the last of which – The Adventures of Casanova – was premièred in the Dresden State Opera in 1924. It is to be regretted that Andreae composed less and less as he grew older.
He was the teacher of Conrad Beck.