Ferdinand Rebay

Ferdinand Rebay (1880-1953) was an Austrian composer, pianist, choral conductor and teacher. He received his early musical training as a choirboy at Heiligenkreuz Abbey and graduated with distinction from the Conservatory of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna. He subsequently directed the Wiener Chorverein and the Wiener Schubertbund and taught piano at the Vienna Academy.

His output encompasses vocal, orchestral, stage and chamber music. His extensive writing for guitar, often combined with unusual chamber ensembles, reflects his association with the Viennese guitarist Jakob Ortner and his niece Gerta Hammerschmid. A substantial part of his musical estate is preserved at Heiligenkreuz Abbey, where the cataloguing and publication of previously unpublished works have helped renew interest in his music.