Franz Sauer

Franz Sauer was an Austrian organist and music educator, born on March 11, 1894, in the Bielitz-Bialaer Sprachinsel in Austrian Silesia. He began his musical journey at a young age, learning violin and piano before transitioning to the organ at ten. Sauer's education included time at the teacher training seminar in Ziegenhals, the Berlin University of the Arts, and the church music school in Regensburg. He became the first organist of Salzburg Cathedral in 1916, a position he held for nearly 46 years until his death in 1962. Additionally, Sauer was a professor at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, teaching organ, theory, and choral singing. He also led various choirs, including the Salzburger Männergesangsverein and the Salzburger Liedertafel, and toured as an organist in Germany and Italy.

Sauer's contributions to music education and performance are notable, with students like Herbert von Karajan benefiting from his expertise. His legacy as a prominent figure in Austrian musical life is marked by his long tenure at Salzburg Cathedral and his influence on generations of musicians through his teaching and performances. The recent releases you've mentioned, such as "Haydn: Mass in C Major" and "Flotow: Martha," suggest a continued appreciation for his work in the context of classical music performances.

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