Pianist · Composer · Painter
A pianist and composer of international standing. Life partner of Brigitte Niessner. In his later years he devoted himself to preserving the work of Franz Feuchtl and to shaping the House of Art in Purkersdorf near Vienna.
“His pianistic achievements always drew the interest of famous artists and personalities.”
Born in Kufstein. The family later returned to Schwaz in Tyrol. Private piano lessons from an early age, continued at the Schwaz municipal music school and complemented by cello lessons.
Studies in piano and cello, alongside music theory and private organ lessons. A diploma in composition at the “Musical Youth Competition”.
After an interruption due to the war, private studies with various masters in Innsbruck – the lessons with a Russian pianist proving especially formative. First concert tours to the Netherlands and Switzerland, broadcasts on Austrian radio.
In the “Saal an der Sophienstraße” he accompanies a song recital by the German soprano Helma Panke. Soon afterwards he becomes the regular accompanist of the Spanish violin virtuoso Juan Manén. Tours in Austria, Germany and France follow. He also accompanies the La Scala baritone Marcello Cortis and the Dutch-Indonesian singer Lola van der Ben.
His career drew the interest of figures such as Crown Princess Pilar of Bavaria (who wrote to Queen Mother Elisabeth of Belgium) and President John F. Kennedy, who had a personal message conveyed to him.
A series of piano works, recorded on tape by the composer himself and broadcast several times on Austrian radio. A long-playing record of his own works achieves international success. The suite “In Memoriam” for string orchestra is premiered under his direction by the Schwaz municipal orchestra – dedicated to the philosopher Hermann Count Keyserling. Goedela Countess Keyserling-Bismarck takes the original score into the Keyserling Archive.
In Lower Austria he founds the cultural centre “Rathgeber House”, one of the first of its kind – with exhibitions, concerts and readings by well-known artists.
In his later years he devotes himself to the task of archiving the works of Franz Feuchtl in the form of the Feuchtl Collection and preserving them for the public. In doing so he transforms Franz Feuchtl’s home in Purkersdorf near Vienna into a House of Art.
Hubert Rathgeber passes away in his 99th year.
Hubert Rathgeber was not only a pianist and composer – he was also a painter. His mixed-media works on board and his ink-brush drawings reveal an expressive, often mask-like visual world.
Felt-tip grid drawings as well as works in watercolour, ink and mixed media – mostly in 30 × 21 cm format. A characteristic group of works from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Watercolours, ink-brush drawings and mixed-media works on board – portraits, nudes, still lifes and free studies.
Hubert Rathgeber’s works and recordings are accessible through his family.