Wyttenbach, Jürg

Wyttenbach, Jürg Swiss pianist, conductor, teacher, and composer; b. Bern, Dec. 2, 1935. He studied piano and theory with Fischer and Veress at the Bern Cons. After further studies with Lefébure and Calvet at the Paris Cons. (1955-57), he completed his training in piano with Karl Engel (1958-59). In 1959 he became a teacher at the Biel Music School. In 1962 he became a teacher at the Bern Cons. From 1967 he taught at the Basel Academy of Music. He also appeared frequently as a pianist and conductor, championing particularly the cause of contemporary music. His own music utilizes both aleatory and serialism.

Works

dramatic: Beethoven: Sacré? Sacré Beethoven! for Singer, Speaker, Musician, and Projection (1977); Patchwork an der Wäscheleine, scenic collage (1979); Chansons ricochets, madrigal comedy for 5 Singers (1980); Hors jeux,“sport-opera” (1981-82); ENCORE! Tics and Tricks for Actor and Cello (1987). ORCH.: Piano Concerto (1959; rev. 1973); Conteste for Chamber Orch. (1969). CHAMBER: Serenade for Flute and Piano (1959-79); Oboe Sonata (1962-72); 3 Movements for Oboe, Harp, and Piano (1963); Divisions for Piano and 9 Solo Strings (1964); Anrufungen und Ausbruch for Woodwinds and Brass (1966); Ad libitum for 1 or 2 Flutes (1969); Exécution ajournée for 13 Players (1969-70) and for String Quartet (1970); Kunststücke, die Zeit totzuschlagen for Player (1972); Noch weisst du nicht, wess Kind du bist for Piano, Violin, and Singer ad libitum (1977); Claustrophonie for Violin (1979); Tarantella for Violin (1983); schlagZEITschlag for 4 Percussionists (1990-92); Flûte Alors! for Flute and Clarinet (1996); piano pieces. VOCAL: Sutil und haar for Chorus and Piano, 4-Hands (1964); Vier Kanzonen for Soprano and Cello (1964); 2 Nonsense Verses, and Epigram and a Madrigal for Soprano and Cello or Bassoon (1964); De Matalli for Baritone and Orch. (1964-65); Lamentoroso for Voice and 6 Clarinets (1984); Harmonie mit schräger Dämpfung, 7 songs for Singing Violinist, after Paul Klee (1990); Laut Käfig, 17 haikus for Soprano and Harp or Guitar (1995-97).

— Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn /Dennis McIntire