Boris Blacher was born in China but returned to Germany, working as a composer and teacher in Berlin and later in Dresden. His career was interrupted by the intervention of National Socialism but resumed in 1945.

Orchestral Music

Among 20th-century compositions the works of Boris Blacher are approachable, in particular his Variations on a Theme of Paganini. This is an orchestral work based on the theme from the 24th Caprice of the great virtuoso violinist, a melody used by Brahms, Rachmaninov and others for a similar purpose. Blacher wrote concertos for various instruments, including two piano concertos, a Viola Concerto and a Concerto for high trumpet.