Eric Zeisl

Eric Zeisl was an Austrian-born composer known for his emotionally rich music that often fused classical tradition with Jewish themes. Born in 1905 in Vienna, Zeisl showed early promise and entered the Vienna State Academy of Music at just 14. He fled Nazi-occupied Europe in the 1930s and eventually settled in the United States, where he continued composing and also worked in Hollywood's film industry. His works display a lyrical and expressive style, often influenced by his Jewish heritage and the tumultuous history of his time.

One of Zeisl’s best-known compositions is his Requiem Ebraico (Hebrew Requiem), a poignant memorial piece written in the wake of the Holocaust. He also wrote chamber music, orchestral works, and vocal pieces, balancing European romanticism with a distinctly personal voice. Though lesser known during his lifetime, Zeisl’s music has seen a resurgence in recent years as more audiences discover his compelling and heartfelt work.