Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler (1898–1962) was a German-Austrian composer. He is best known for composing the national anthem of East Germany, for his long artistic association with Bertolt Brecht, and for the scores he wrote for films. The Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin is named after him.
He was Brecht’s most trusted composer, a committed socialist who believed music’s role was not only to entertain but to educate. Eisler set complex thoughts to simple tunes and simple emotions to advanced harmonies.
Compositions by Hanns Eisler appear on
Jan Friedl sings Brecht
Jan Friedl and pianist James Voss present Bertolt Brecht theatre songs with music by Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler and Paul Dessau, among the sharpest of the twentieth century.
Composer