Caspar Diethelm

Caspar Diethelm (born March 31, 1926 in Lucerne ; † January 1, 1997 ibid) was a Swiss composer .

biography

education

Caspar Diethelm studied at the conservatory and the church music school in Lucerne. There were also private lessons in composition with Johann Baptist Hilber (1891–1973) and Albert Jenny . The master courses with Paul Hindemith and Arthur Honegger were formative for him . Furthermore, he took part in the summer courses in Darmstadt with Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luigi Nono . He completed his training as a conductor with Ernst Hans Beer and Alexander Krannhals .

Act

From 1963 to 1993 he worked as a lecturer in music history, theoretical subjects, composition and chamber music at the Lucerne Conservatory . At the same time, he was active as a conductor of his own works at home and abroad. His lively lecturing activities received wide attention, as did the essays he wrote .

Compositional work

Diethelm's oeuvre comprises 343 works by a wide variety of instrumentations. He composed over 100 works for large orchestras, chamber and string orchestras, including 8 symphonies and solo concerts for almost every instrument, as well as 1 ballet. There are also around 40 works for choir with orchestra, instrumental ensemble or organ, including 3 large oratorios and numerous cantatas . There are also numerous works for a cappella choir, including many masses and motets . He wrote over 20 works for wind band and brass band. In addition, a rich literature for chamber music was created, from solo pieces to nonet, z. B. 6 string quartets, solo sonatas for all instruments, 22 piano sonatas, as well as numerous works with unusual instrumentations.

In addition to those that place the highest demands on performers and listeners, he also composed numerous works for laypeople, such as the Concerti Diletti series for amateur string orchestra; Choral and song settings, as well as masses for amateur choirs; Chamber music and piano pieces for teaching.

Also worth mentioning are numerous arrangements and reconstructions, such as the Flute Concerto by FX Stalder, the Sinfonia Concertante by Constantin Reindl, quintet movements for clarinet and string quartet, as well as string quintet movements by Mozart .

Awards

1969: Obwalden Culture Prize
1985: Art and Culture Prize of the City of Lucerne

style

Its tonal language is highly independent. With its expressiveness and vitality, it is immediately accessible to the listener. Caspar Diethelm dealt with the latest trends in music ( twelve-tone technique , atonality , serialism and aleatorics ), but always rejected all dogmatic corsets. Instead, he developed his own style, which is influenced by Jenny, Hindemith, Honegger and Martin.

Caspar Diethelm's music is characterized by Swiss elements and prefers spacious, melodic linearity. The harmony is free-tonal, the rhythm is partly elementary, shaped by strong dance impulses with a preference for large, odd cycles. Caspar Diethelm also considered the use of manageable, comprehensible forms to be extremely important, such as the dualistic sonata movement, the song, rondo , arch and onion forms, in which, however, independent, variable solutions were always sought. In the later works, a change in the composer's thinking becomes apparent: the move towards a meditative attitude, towards a new spirituality and the processing of influences from non-European music and thinking.

Works

Works for orchestra

1947 Concerto for oboe and chamber orchestra op.3
1955 Concerto No. 1 for violoncello and chamber orchestra, op.18
1955 Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra op.19
1956 Concerto No. 1 for piano and chamber orchestra, op.20
1957 Concerto No. 1 for violin and large orchestra op.32
1960 Suite for chamber orchestra op.33
1962 Symphony No. 1 for large orchestra, op.35
1963 Symphony No. 2 for large orchestra op.40
1963 Concerto No. 1 for clarinet and chamber orchestra, op.38
1968 Concerto No. 2 for violin and large orchestra, op.66
1968 Concerto No. 4 for violin and large orchestra op.70
1968 Sinfonietta No. 1 for large orchestra op. 75 b
1968 Symphony No. 3 for large orchestra, op.76
1969 Concerto No. 1 for flute and large orchestra op.84
1964–1969 Concerto No. 2 for flute and orchestra op. 85
1971 Symphony No. 4 for large orchestra op.100
1974 Concerto for trombone and orchestra op.117
1974/1985/1993 Symphonic Prologue for large orchestra op.125
1975 Concerto No. 2 for violoncello and orchestra, op.135
1980 Mandala Symphony No. 5 for large orchestra, op.180
1982 Saturnalia Symphonic Suite for large orchestra op.200
1982 Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, Op. 201
1982/1984 The Four Temperaments Suite for Orchestra op.207
1982 Concerto for piano and large orchestra, op.210
1983/1987 Concerto Hiemalis for clarinet and orchestra op.211
1984 Le Grazie d'Amore Ballet Suite for Orchestra op.232
1986 Cretan Divertimento for orchestra op.250
1989/1990 Urschweiz for large orchestra op.270
1990 The Magic Circle for Chamber Orchestra, op.272
1992 Anubis Concerto for Violin and Large Orchestra, op.285
1995 Ballade for violin and orchestra op.323

Works for string orchestra

1946/1986 Monumentum op.1 a
1955/1991 Concert Variations for 2 flutes and string orchestra op.12
1955 Concertante music for piano and string orchestra op.17
1957/1991 Serenade for string orchestra op.21
1960 Concert Symphony for 6 wind instruments, timpani and string orchestra op.31
1963 Concerto for English horn, harp and string orchestra op.37
1965/1990 Ein Hahn for Asklepios for oboe and string orchestra op.50
1967 Divertimento for string orchestra op.61
1966/1990 Concerto for bassoon and string orchestra op.62
1968 Concert Symphony for 23 Strings (Violin Concerto) op.67
1969/1979 Concerto rustico for clarinet and string orchestra op.73
1968 Sinfonietta No. 1 for string orchestra op.75 a
1969/1982 Harlequinade for solo violin and string orchestra op.79
1969 Diary for Strings, Op. 80
1970/1993 Tritoprisma op. 91
1970 Arcadian ways 10 dance movements for string orchestra op. 95 b
1970 Ludibrium Joculatoris 10 musicians' tunes op.101
1971 Concertino for oboe and string orchestra op.102
1976/1995 Concerto for Horn and String Orchestra op. 114 b
1974 Tripartita op. 120
1975 Concerto diletto No. 1, for strings op.141 a
1975 Concerto diletto No. 2 for strings op.141 b
1977/1995 Divertimento concertante for harpsichord and string orchestra op.144
1977/1996 Concertino for flute and string orchestra op.148
1978/1995 Pentagram for string orchestra op.154
1978 Concerto pastorale for flute and string orchestra op.155
1979/1991 Concerto diletto No. 3 for 3 violins, viola and string orchestra op.158
1979/1991 Concerto diletto No. 4 for violin and string orchestra op.161
1979/1992 Concerto diletto No. 5 for treble recorder and string orchestra op.169
1981/1992 Concerto diletto No. 6 for bassoon and string orchestra, op.184
1981/1991 Concerto autumnalis for 2 guitars and string orchestra op.189
1982 Concerto diletto No. 7 for string orchestra op.198 a
1982 Concerto diletto No. 8 for string orchestra op.198 b
1982/1989 Concerto diletto No. 9 suite of variations for string orchestra op.208

1984 Epitaph for 12 solo strings op.225

1984/1993 Aura vernalis concert piece for flute and string orchestra op.227

1986 Concertino for solo trumpet and string orchestra op.243

1987 The Wheel of Life for two pianos, horn and string orchestra op.252

1988 Val Mustair Concerto diletto No. 10 for string orchestra op.262 a

1989 Menhir Meditation for violin and string orchestra op.265

1991 Enneagram Concerto for 2 violins, string orchestra, vibraphone and percussion op.274

1992 The Eye of Horus Essay for double bass, string orchestra and percussion op.282

1992 Ulkiade Cantata for tenor, string orchestra, 5 solo violins and solo bassoon op.286
1993 The golden Selket hymn for viola, string orchestra and vibraphone op.295
1994 Tarot IX contemplation for violoncello, string orchestra and percussion op. 303
1996 Ricordanze Concerto da Camera for oboe, clarinet and string orchestra op. 310 a
1994 Oxymoron concert piece for flute, clarinet and string orchestra op.312
1995 Apple of the Paris Concerto da Camera for violin, viola, piano, string orchestra and percussion op.313
1995 Echo and Narcissus Concert Scene for 4 horns and string orchestra op.316
1996 Passacaglia and Consolatio for string orchestra op.324
1996 A distant, quiet glow Chronochromie for 12 solo strings op.333
1996 Now the path to circle 12 segments for string orchestra op.338 is rounded

Works for wind orchestra

1969 Abgschütz Symphonic Suite for wind orchestra op.72
1969 Capriccio for wind orchestra op.78
1970 Concertino for trumpet, horn and wind orchestra op.89
1971 Trine op.96 a
1971 miniatures op.96 b
1971 Steile Welt Sinfonietta for wind orchestra op.97
1964/1969 Concerto n ° 2 for piano and wind orchestra op.112
1976 Trilith for wind orchestra op.145
1980 Meru for Brass Band op.177
1982 Aubade for wind ensemble (2 Fl, 4 Clear, 4 Trp, 3 Hr, 3 Euph, 3 Pos, 2 Tb) op. 203
1984 Music for the Pope's visit 9 pieces for brass band op.226
1984/1992 Musaion Nonet for winds (2 fl, 2 ob, 2 clear, bass cl, 2 fgt) op. 234
1986/1990 Triga 3 pieces for brass band op.244
1986/1990 Threnos Symphonic Movement for Wind Orchestra, op.245
1992 March Suite for bassoon and wind orchestra op.281
1992 Hexagram Dance Suite for Brass Band op.284
1993/1994 Hathor 4 Symphonic reflections for wind orchestra op.300
1994 Romance for euphonium and brass band op. 305
1994 Aker Concerto for Oboe and Wind Orchestra op. 308
1995 Chronochromie V for symphonic wind orchestra op.322
1995 Moto perpetuo for euphonium and brass band op.336
1996 6 sound images for symphonic wind orchestra op.340 (only sketches available)
1996 Chronochromie VII for symphonic wind orchestra op.341 (only sketches available)

Sacred choral works and masses

1963/1992 Hymnus Matutinus for four-part mixed choir op.43

1958 Psalm to the Morning Star for four-part mixed choir op.44

1974 German Mass for four-part mixed choir and organ op. 172 a

1980/1986 Missa brevis for four-part mixed choir and organ op. 172 b

1982/1993 Two motets for four-part mixed choir a cap. op. 204

1983 Ave Maris Stella Motet for four-part mixed choir a cap. op. 215

1983/1993 Horae canonicae 7 Latin motets for four-part mixed choir a cap. op.216

1983/1994 Your time cantata for soprano, bass, mixed choir and orchestra op. 217, text: RA Schröder

1984 Gott, Ewig Licht cantata for bass, mixed choir and string sextet op. 218, text: RA Schröder

1984 Dein Wort Cantata for soprano, alto, mixed choir, violin and violoncello op. 219, text: RA Schröder

1984 Fear not Cantata for soprano, baritone, mixed choir and orchestra, op. 220, text: RA Schröder

1984 Farewell cantata for soprano, tenor, mixed choir and orchestra op. 221, text: RA Schröder

1984 Time dreams of a cantata for bass, mixed choir and instrumental ensemble op.222 on a narrow border
1985 Aufbruch oratorio in 3 parts for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed Choir, organ and instrumental ensemble op.240
1985/1991 Aufbruch oratorio in 3 parts for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed Choir and Orchestra op.240
1987 The great lamentation (Lamentationes Jeremiae Prophetae) for acc. Choir and string orchestra in 4 parts op.253
1989/1990 Nycticorax oratorio in 2 parts for soprano, bass, acc. Choir and Orchestra op. 268, text: C. Diethelm
1991 The Prayer of Holy Brother Klaus for four-part mixed choir op.277
1946/1992/1996 Mass in honor of the father of the country, Brother Klaus, for mixed choir and organ op.278
1992 Missa brevis for mixed choir a cap. op. 279
1992 Word, all words mouth Pentecost cantata for male choir and brass band op.280
1992 Word, all words mouth Whitsun cantata for male choir and 8 cellos op. 280 a
1994 Das Gläserne Meer Latin Mass for mixed choir and organ op. 306
1995 Memento mori cantata in 8 parts for bass, mixed choir, instrumental ensemble and organ op.315, text: C. Diethelm

Works for choir

1956/1992 love, death and full moon nights 8 madrigals for 4 voices acc. Choir based on Japanese poems op.29
1963/1992 Capriccio “Satierchen” for 4-part mixed choir op. 41, text: Robert Faesi
1977/1992 5 madrigals for 4-part mixed choir op.153 , text: W. Blake
1981/1988 Dunkler Geist der Nacht 4 German motets for 5- to 8-part acc. Choir op.186, text: Chr. Morgenstern
1981–1984 100 song sets based on melodies of the 15th – 20th centuries Century for 4-part mixed choir op.228

1984/1995 5 sets of songs about Swiss folk songs for 4-part mixed choir op.229

1984/1991 12 small German motets for 4-part mixed choir op.230

1987/1990 Gnosis 8 Tankas for chamber speaking choir , piano, tam-tam and djembe op.256

1991 4 humoresques for 4-part mixed choir op. 275, text: Fridolin Tschudi

1994 Prometheus' vision of the soul Cantata f. Sop., Ten., Speaker, choir, 5 groups of instruments op. 304, text: C. Spitteler

1996 Das Pflänzlein Humor for male choir, piano and percussion op. 331, text: Robert Faesi

Chamber music (selection)

solo

1964/1970/1996 Sonata No. 1 / Sonata No. 2 / Sonata No. 3 for violin solo, op. 69/92/332

1966 Pan for flute solo, op.58

1970/1974 Suite No. 1 / Suite No. 2 for Violoncello Solo, op. 93/122

1974/1974 Sonata No. 1 / Sonata No. 2 for Viola Solo, op.118 / 121

1975/1975 Sonata No. 1 / Sonata No. 2 for horn solo, op. 127/137

1975/1975/1981 Sonata No. 1 / No. 2 / No. 3 for double bass solo, op.132 / 133/192

1975 Fantasy for double bass solo, op.136

1975 ANKH Meditation for Violoncello Solo, op.138
1981 Zodiac 12 constellations for flute solo with prologue and epilogue, op.140
1980/1993 2 ballads for guitar solo, op.164
1980–1995 Sonata I / Sonata II / Sonata III for guitar solo, op. 171/191/223
1980/1980 Suite I / Suite II for guitar solo, op.173 / 175
1982/1995 Kama und seine Parroti Sonata for clarinet solo, op.193
1982 Zodiac - 12 constellations with prologue and epilogue for flute solo , op.140
1985 Aulodie Improvisation for alto flute in G, op.233
1986 Triptych 3 pieces for oboe solo, op.241
1992 Algol for flute solo, op.288
1995 Betruf for viola solo, op.317
1996 Hemerocallis 6 Aspects for Violin Solo, op.328
1996 Quincunx 5 Glypten for Vibraphone Solo, op.329

duo

1954/1977 Sonata No. 1 / Sonata No. 2 for violoncello and piano, op.11 b / 150
1965 Fantasy for flute and piano, op.49
1968/1994 Sonata for violin and piano, op.65
1971 Pentastichon for flute and harpsichord, op.103
1972 Duet for violin and horn, op.104
1972 Sonata for viola and piano, op.105
1972 Duo for viola and violoncello, op.107
1972 Sonata for flute and piano, op.108
1972 Sonatina for flute and piano, op.109
1974/1980 Serenata notturna for flute and guitar, op.119
1974/1976 Sonata No. 1 / Sonata No. 2 for oboe and harpsichord, op.123 / 142
1977 Tangram Fantasy for double bass and piano, op.150
1979 Duo for viola and bass clarinet, op.168
1980/1993 Ukiyo-e Duo for 2 guitars, op.176
1980/1982 Suite No. 1 / Suite No. 2 for flute and guitar, op.178 / 206
1981 Aries Sonata for clarinet and piano, op.183
1981 Duo for viola and double bass, op.188
1983 Rebis Duet for flute and clarinet, op.213
1985 Gravuren 9 recital pieces for bass clarinet and guitar, op.235
1985 Paian Suite for oboe and organ, op.236
1988/1992 Shiva Tropus for treble recorder and guitar, op.264
1993 Most beautiful Tulipan Variations on a Swiss Folk Song for two violins, op.294
1996 Tarot IV Sonata for tuba and organ, op.337
1996 Sarabande and Gigue for violoncello and piano, op.339

trio

1954/1966/1969 String Trio No. 1 / No. 2 / No. 3 for violin, viola and violoncello, op.10 / 47/68
1968/1971 Collage I / Collage II for violin, viola and violoncello, op.64 / 99
1969 Trio for flute, violin and violoncello, op.74
1969 Trio for clarinet, horn and violoncello, op.86
1970/1992 Trio for violin, clarinet and piano, op.88
1970/1972 Trio for 2 clarinets and bass clarinet, op.90
1976 Trio for violin, violoncello and piano, op.147
1982 Ballad for violin, violoncello and guitar, op.196
1982 Trio for flute, clarinet and piano, op.205
1983 The Three Graces for 2 flutes and piano, op.212
1987 Trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, op.258
1989 Room of Thoughts for cor anglais, double bass and vibraphone, op.266
1989 Tristitia 3 sound images for 3 guitars, op.267
1991 Puzzle for basset horn, violoncello and piano, op.276
1993 Jadi's ballet suite for flute, viola and harp, op.297
1993 Orion Trio for oboe and 2 English horns, op. 301
1994 Pirouette Trio for flute, viola and double bass, op.311

quartet

1945–1986 6 string quartets , op. 1/22/30/46/87/242
1967 Quartet for flute, violin, viola and violoncello, op.57
1973/1993 Quartet for 4 brass instruments, op.115
1979 Quartet for clarinet, 2 violas and violoncello, op.167
1981 Quartet for 2 clarinets, basset horn and bass clarinet, op.190
1986 Maya Ode for horn, vibraphone, double bass and percussion, op.257
1988 Manitoulin Island Suite for Clarinet Quartet, op.259
1989 Steinspirale Quartet for flute, violin, viola and violoncello, op.271
1993 Sonnenrad Quartet for flute, viola and 2 guitars, op.296
1995 Chronochromie III / votive image for 4 instruments (oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn), op.319 a / b
1996 Pleiades Quartet for 3 oboes and bassoon, op.342

quintet

1959/1979 Wind Quintet I / Wind Quintet II for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon, op. 23/165
1973 Quintet for horn, violin, viola, violoncello and double bass, op.114 a
1982 Bucolicon Quintet for oboe, horn, 2 violins and violoncello (also: oboe and string quartet) op.202
1989/1990 Pictographs Quintet for 2 trumpets, horn and 2 trombones, op.269
1991 The Wheel of Life for 2 pianos, horn, double bass and percussion, op. 252 a
1993 Tricromia Quintet for 2 trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba, op.299
1994 Heptagram 7 miniatures for wind quintet, op. 309
1996 Chronochromie VI sound image for 5 horns, op.327

sextet

1959 Christmas Music 8 Inventions for flute, clarinet and string quartet, op.26
1992 Divertimento for piano and wind quintet, op.283
1994 Ricordanze Sextet for oboe, clarinet and string quartet, op.310

Septet

1970/1981 Septet No. 1 for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, violoncello and double bass, op.94
1971 Seven for Seven Septet No. 2 for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, violoncello and double bass, op.98
1972 Septet No. 3 for flute, string quintet and harpsichord, op.110

Works for keyboard instruments

1973 Kaleidoscope 11 pieces for harpsichord, op.116
1975 Ambivalence 2 pieces for harpsichord, op.139

1972 Monopartita for organ, op.106
1976/1994 Acroteria 15 organ pieces for liturgical use, op.146
1990 Fragments of a long span of time ... (Federal Letter 1291) for organ and speaker, op.273
1996 Partita Liturgica for organ and percussion in 7 parts, op.320
1996 Proömium for organ, op.335

22 piano sonatas, including 1979 Sonata pugnifera piano sonata No. 20, op.157
1954/1991 20 bagatelles for piano, op.9
1967/1988 Book of Hours 52 Preludes, Canons and Fugues for Piano, op.60
1975/1993 Glasperlenspiel 83 piano pieces for children, op.130
1984/1986/1993 Klangfiguren I / Klangfiguren II / Klangfiguren III 10 studies each for piano, op. 224/251/292
1995 Firnelicht for piano 4 hands, op.318

literature

Rudolf Baumgartner, Angelo Garovi , Hans Zihlmann u. a. (Ed.): Caspar Diethelm on his 70th birthday . Festschrift. Willisau 1997, ISBN 3-909221-26-2 .
Remo Capra: Caspar Diethelm as a brass music composer. SBV, 1998.
Regula Puskás: Diethelm, Caspar. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
Swiss Music Archive: Caspar Diethelm catalog raisonné. SUISA, 1989, 81 pages.

Dubbing

Daniel Hess : Elegy "In memoriam Caspar Diethelm" for viola and piano. 2004.

Web links

Works by and about Caspar Diethelm in the catalog of the German National Library
Website about Caspar Diethelm
Biography Caspar Diethelms (French)
Catalog raisonné by Caspar Diethelm on klassika.info
Sound recordings with works by the composer from the archive of Swiss Radio SRG SSR on Neo.Mx3

Individual evidence

↑ Entry in the DNB catalog

personal data
SURNAME	Diethelm, Caspar
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Swiss composer and conductor
DATE OF BIRTH	March 31, 1926
PLACE OF BIRTH	Lucerne
DATE OF DEATH	January 1, 1997
Place of death	Lucerne

[1] Entry in the DNB catalog