Paul Henry Lang American musicologist and music critic of Hungarian origin Date of Birth: 02.08.1901 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Music
3. Emigration to the US and Academic Accomplishments
4. Music Criticism and Scholarly Contributions
5. International Recognition and Leadership

Early Life and Education

Paul Henry Lang was born in Budapest, Hungary, and later emigrated to the United States. He graduated from the Budapest Academy of Music in 1922, where he studied under Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály.

Career in Music

Lang began his career as a bassoonist in several Hungarian orchestras. In 1924, he pursued studies in musicology and literature at the University of Heidelberg and later in Paris.

Emigration to the US and Academic Accomplishments

In 1929, Lang moved to the United States and taught at Columbia University from 1933 until his retirement in 1970. Among his notable students was the renowned music critic Richard Taruskin.

Music Criticism and Scholarly Contributions

Lang served as the music critic for the New York Herald Tribune, succeeding Virgil Thomson. He also edited The Musical Quarterly from 1945 to 1973. His seminal work, "Music in Western Civilization," published in 1941, remains highly influential in music scholarship.

International Recognition and Leadership

From 1955 to 1958, Lang presided over the International Musicological Society, demonstrating his global impact in the field of musicology.