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Vilma von Webenau
15.2.1875 – 9.10.1953
Vilma von Webenau is the granddaughter of Julie von Baroni-Cavalcabò. She was born in Constantinople, where her father worked at the embassy as a secretary and translator. Little seems to be known about her musical education as a child. From 1898, however, she was one of Arnold Schönberg’s first private students, and she was even present at some of his private parties. Vilma von Webenau’s estate contains cards and letters that testify to a lively correspondence with Schönberg.
Her first public concerts as a pianist and composer took place in 1907-1908 as part of concerts organized by Arnold Schönberg. Although her works received some recognition in this context, their success was limited to small circles. She left behind a body of work of more than sixty compositions, in which almost all musical genres are represented. Her musical estate is housed in the Austrian National Library.
Stefan Mendl’s thoughts on the work
Born in 1875 Vilma von Webenau, the granddaughter of Julie Baroni-Cavalcabò, was a pupil of Arnold Schönberg. Her wonderful song “Frühlingsabend” (Spring Evening) op.2, however, is still very much in the late Romantic style, and its tonal language is more oriented towards Franz Lehar, whom the young Schönberg admired. Webenau’s extensive oeuvre is almost forgotten today and her early song undoubtedly makes us want to discover more.