Hans Gal

Hans Gal OBE (Vienna, 1890 - Edinburgh, 1987) was a composer and pianist.

Born in Vienna, he studied at the university there (and was later a lecturer there, 1919-28) and made his debut as a pianist in 1910. After the Nazi take-over of Austria he fled to Scotland, and lectured at Edinburgh University, 1945-65, where he had a major influence on Edinburgh's musical life.

He composed five operas, four symphonies, a violin concerto, a cello concerto and several pieces of chamber music. He was strongly influenced by Johannes Brahms but ignored the Second Viennese School.

He wrote a biography of Richard Wagner (1963).