Paul Dessau

German composer and conductor (* 19 December 1894 in Hamburg, German Empire; † 28 June 1979 in Königs Wusterhausen near Berlin, Germany). Best known for collaborations with Bertolt Brecht such as Mother Courage. Banned by the Nazis he fled to Paris and eventually Hollywood. He returned to the GDR in 1948 and became very successful, composing a new National Anthem for the country and winning the National Award three times. Wrote many pieces for children which were performed frequently in schools. He is buried next to Brecht and Eisler in Berlin.