Martin Bernheimer | |
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 Bernheimer in 1969 | |
| Born | (1936-09-28)September 28, 1936 Munich, Germany |
| Died | September 29, 2019(2019-09-29) (aged 83) New York City, New York, US |
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Martin Bernheimer (September 28, 1936 – September 29, 2019) was a German and American classical music critic. Described as "a widely respected and influential critic, who [was] particularly knowledgeable about opera and the voice", Bernheimer was the chief classical music critic of theLos Angeles Times from 1965 to 1996.[1]
Martin Bernheimer was born in Munich, Germany on September 28, 1936,[1] to Paul and Louise Bernheimer (née Nassauer).[2] His father was a partner of the antiques business Haus Bernheimer, while his mother was an artist; both parents were Jewish.[2] Amid the Nazi'sKristallnacht—which targeted Jewish homes, businesses, synagogues and other buildings—Paul's business was destroyed.[2] Upon readingMein Kampf, Louise urged the family to flee, but Paul demurred, commenting that "Oh, no, this is our Germany, the country of great philosophers and artists".[3] Martin's sister later remarked that "I am sure Martin did not have any memory of Kristallnacht, when the Nazis came knocking in the middle of the night to arrest our father, kicking my brothers around while looting the apartment".[4] Paul and his brothers were sent to theDachau concentration camp,[2] though an uncle successfully traded their freedom by giving the Nazis the family's estate in Venezuela.[3]
He studied atBrown University and theHochschule für Musik in Munich, as well asmusicology withGustave Reese atNew York University.[citation needed]
His career writing about music began in New York, writing for theNew York Herald Tribune, working as an assistant toIrving Kolodin at theSaturday Review, and landing the position of music critic at theNew York Post. In 1965 he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as the chief music and dance critic for theLos Angeles Times. During his thirty years with that paper, he was twice the recipient ofASCAP'sDeems Taylor Award (1974 and 1978) and in 1982 won thePulitzer Prize for Criticism. From 1996 until his semi-retirement in 2017,[further explanation needed] Bernheimer's work appeared mainly inOpera and theFinancial Times. Bernheimer lectured frequently and provided commentary for opera broadcasts.[citation needed]
He died in New York on September 29, 2019.[2][5][6][7][8]
In 1966, Bernheimer became a faculty member of the Rockefeller program for the training of music critics atUniversity of Southern California. In 1969, he joined the music faculty ofUCLA. Bernheimer was a regular lecturer and also taught criticism atCal State University, Northridge,San Diego State University andCalifornia Institute of the Arts. In 1982 he became an honorary member of a chapter ofPi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society.[citation needed]
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