Paul Schenk


Paul Schenk was a German music theorist.

Life

Born in Leipzig, Schenk studied theory, composition and conducting at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, where he also received a teaching position for music theory from 1925. His studies with Sigfrid Karg-Elert, whose music theory Schenk accepted and propagated, were formative.
Immediately after their first electoral successes, Schenk joined the NSDAP and in his textbooks covered all the essential aspects of a "völkischen" music education.
In 1949 he was appointed professor for composition and ear training and headed the department of composition at the Leipzig Academy of Music until his retirement in 1964. Schenk had a decisive influence on a whole generation of music theorists of the GDR.
Schenk died in his native town at the age of 78.

Writings

Sigfrid Karg-Elert: eine monographische Skizze mit vollständigem Werkverzeichnis. Leipzig 1927Lehrbuch der polaren Harmonik, Leipzig 1927Gehörbildungslehre. 8 issues, Trossingen 1951Schule des Blattsingens. Leipzig 1953Funktioneller Tonsatz. Arbeiten am Klavier. 2 vols., Leipzig 1953Allgemeine Musiklehre. Ergänzungs- und Fortbildungsband zu Hofmeisters Schulwerken für Musikinstrumente. Leipzig 1956Kleine praktische Harmonielehre. Leipzig 1976

Literature