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1940 – 1945
study at the Academy of Music in Prague (piano performance – E. Kalix, composition – F. Finke, conducting – J. Kleiberth and A. Nowakovský)
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1945 – 1947
studied composition in Dresden and at the Conservatory in Bratislava (E. Suchoň, A. Moyzes), conducting (K. Schimpl)
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1948
engagement in Opera of the Slovak National Theatre at first as a répétiteur, later as an assistant began to conduct the ballet repertory
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1950 – 1990
acted as regular conductor of opera and ballet (during a 40-year career in the Slovak National Theatre conducted more than 100 titles of opera and ballet repertory of various styles)
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since 1958
extern contract in the Opera Studio at the Academy of Performing Arts
“As a composer Auer grew out of Czech-German post-romantic traditions and conventions. Most significantly his work manifested as vocal music (mini opera Spoveď Dona Juana / Confessions of Don Juan, Tri piesne na texty J. Jesenského / Three Songs on Lyrics by J. Jesenský etc.), as well as in small instrumental forms. His musical language assimilated a variety of styles and stylistic elements. He wrote mainly programme music in which he expressed himself as a spontaneous and emotional composer.”
(JURÍK, Marián: Gerhard Auer. In: 100 slovenských skladateľov. Ed. Marián Jurík, Peter Zagar. Bratislava: Národné hudobné centrum, 1998, p. 21.)