German-Brazilian Composer Ernst Mahle has Died, Aged 96

Mahle was founder of the Pró-Arte de Piracicaba school, which is now the Maestro Ernst Mahle School of Music of Piracicaba

The composer Ernst Mahle, who was born in Germany but spent much of his life in Brazil, has passed away at the age of 96.

Born in Stuttgart in 1929, Mahle studied with the Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk David in his hometown. He relocated to Brazil in 1951, but was nonetheless able to continue with his Germanic training by undertaking further study with Hans-Joachim Koellreutter. He also studied briefly with Ernst Krenek and Olivier Messiaen.

Mahle settled in the city of Piracicaba and became one of the founders of its School of Music. There, he acted as Artistic Director, teacher, and the conductor of the chamber and symphony orchestras as well as the chamber choir. In 1965, he was named a Citizen of Piracicabano Citizen in 1965 in recognition of his work in education.

He won several distinctions for his music, including being named winner of the Composition Competition for String Orchestra (1976) with the work Suite Nordestina, the Composition Competition for Choir Arrangements (1982) with the Carimbó, and the Concurso Funarte (1983) with his Divertimento Hexagonal, among others.

Mahle was a highly prolific composer, and his catalogue features more than 2,000 works. In 1983, he was made a member of the Brazilian Academy of Music.

Our condolences to Mahle's family, friends, and colleagues.