Gion Antoni Derungs

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Gion Antoni Derungs (born September 6, 1935 in Vella , Canton of Graubünden, † September 4, 2012 in Chur ) was a Swiss composer , musician and music teacher .

Professional background

Derungs attended the Disentis Abbey School (Graubünden) and, after graduating from the Zurich University of Music, studied piano , organ , conducting and score playing with Hans Andreae , Luigi Favini , Johannes Fuchs , Erhart Ermatinger and Paul Müller-Zurich, as well as singing at the Zurich Music Academy with Franz Pezzotti . From 1960 to 1962 he was music director in Lichtensteig (Toggenburg) and from 1962 to 1999 music teacher at the cantonal teachers' seminar in Chur. From 1962 he worked as a cathedral organist at the Chur cathedral . From 1962 to 1969 he directed the Alpina and Rezia choirs in Chur and from 1971 to 1993 the quartet grischun he founded .

music

The catalog of his works contains 191 compositions with an opus number and several hundred works without. His work encompassed almost all genres from song to opera , from chamber music and organ music to symphonies for large orchestras. In his vocal works, the Romansh language and the secular and spiritual songs of the Surselva (Vorderrheintal) play an important role. Together with Sur Gieri Cadruvi he produced the record series Canzuns popularas (CPLP). He was the composer of Il cerchel magic (1984), the first Romansh opera ever. In terms of style, Derungs was at times influenced by opposing currents of the 20th century (including the Polish avant-garde) and used elements from dodecaphony , aleatoric , graphic notation and minimal music , but also wrote tonal and modal .

"Gion Antoni Derungs was not only an eminently fruitful, but also in some ways unique composer. First of all, it should be noted that he made important contributions to practically all common musical genres [...]. In addition, there is a highly interesting course his personal style development, which ranged from the productive examination of the avant-garde of the time to the gradual integration and creative re-interpretation of 'traditional' elements such as tonality. " (Prof. em.Dr. Hans-Joachim Hinrichsen , University of Zurich)

Awards

  • 1970: Mención honorífica for Rorate (op. 23, 1969), Óscar Esplá International Composition Competition , Alicante, Spain
  • 1981: Gold medal for Missa pro defunctis (op. 57, 1974), International Composition Competition Ciudad Ibagué , Colombia
  • 1982: Recognition award from the Canton of Graubünden
  • 1996: Grand Culture Prize of the Canton of Graubünden
  • 1998: Culture Prize of the Bishop of Chur Pro arte christiana

Works (selection)

Vocal music

measure up
  • Missa pro defunctis for acc. Choir a cappella, op.57 (1974)
  • Requiem for solos, choir and orchestra, op.74 (1977)
  • Missa Losanna per coro di ragazzi, coro misto e grande orchestra, op.99 (1982)
  • Missa latina for solos, choir and orchestra, op.118 (1989)
Spiritual works
  • Rorate for solos, two acc. Choirs and Orchestra, op.23 (1969)
  • Four hymns by Ambrosius for solos, mixed Choir ad libitum and orchestra, op.54 (1974)
  • Magnificat for solos, choir, orchestra and organ ad libitum, op.77 (1978)
  • Holy Spirit hymns (Richard Thalmann) for gem. Choir, people ad libitum, orchestra and organ, op.85 (1979)
  • Nadal (Noël). Quater motettas e duas canzuns de Nadal for gem. Choir, op. 1 (1981)
  • Six Latin motets for mixed Choir, op.119 (1989)
  • Way to Hope for soprano, baritone and orchestra, op.144 (1997)
  • Canzuns da Nadal for soprano, flute, oboe d'amore, string orchestra, op.84d (2002)
  • Cantiones sacrae for gem. Choir, op.183 (2010)
  • Complet for solos and acc. Choir, op.189 (2012)
Oratorios
  • Ina Passiun romontscha , op.50 (1972)
  • In nativitate Domini per soliste, coro e orchestra, op. 34 (1970)
  • Il cantico (laudation; S. Francesco d'Assisi) per solisti, coro misto e grande orchestra, op.96 (1982)
Cantatas
  • Blauer Wagen (Verena Hefti), Little Cantata for high voice, flute and string orchestra, op.2 (1981)
  • Veta e perpetnadad for soprano, mixed Choir and Orchestra, op.129 (1992)
  • Way to Hope for Solos, according to Choir and Orchestra, op.144 (1997)
  • The Birth of Athena , scene in three songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, op.150 (2000)
Solo songs
  • Flurs dil temps (Gion Deplazes), 12 songs for low voice and piano, op.88 (1979/80)
  • Uras (Gian Fontana), 10 Rhaeto-Romanic songs in folk tone, for voice and piano, op.3 (1980/82)
  • Canzuns romanticas (texts by various poets), for medium voice and piano, op.104 (1985)
  • A breviary (Wilhelm Busch), five songs for medium voice, two clarinets and basset horn, op.115b (1990)
  • Aquarels (texts by various poets), 11 songs for medium voice and piano, op.172 (2006)
  • Incont (texts by various poets), 9 songs for mezzo-soprano, alto and piano, op.175 (2007)

Stage works

  • Il cerchel magic (Lothar Deplazes), opera en quater acts, op.101 (1986 Chur)
  • Il semiader (Lothar Deplazes) opera en quater acts, op 125 (1996 Chur)
  • King Balthasar ( Giovanni Netzer ), Opera in three acts, op.146 (1998 Chur)
  • Tredeschin (Lothar Deplazes), opera en sis maletgs, op.152 (2004 Chur)
  • Apocalypse ( Giovanni Netzer ), Chamber Church Opera, op.166 (2005, Savognin / GR)
  • Benjamin ( Giovanni Netzer ), opera installation, op.169 (2006 Riom / GR)
  • Henry Dunant (A Dramatic Human Life) ( Hans-Rudolf Merz ), op.178 (2010 Heiden)
Ballet music
  • Nuit , Suite de Ballet pour orchester, op.18 (1969)
  • Sontga Margriata , ballet in three parts for soloists, choir and orchestra, op. 51 (1973); second version for solos, choir and 11 instrumentalists, op.78 (1978)

Instrumental music

Orchestral works
  • Sinfonia per grande orchestra, op.37 (1971)
  • Rondo per grande orchestra, op.65 (1975)
  • Concerto per orchestra, No. 2 op.9 (1980)
  • Second Symphony ( Mourning Symphony ) for large orchestra, op.110 (1987)
  • Third Symphony ( From My Life ) for large orchestra, op.116 (1987/88)
  • Fourth symphony for orchestra, op.132 (1993)
  • Fifth Symphony ( Organ Symphony ) for large orchestra and organ, op.140 (1995/96)
  • Visioni Notturne for orchestra, op.141 (1996)
  • Sixth Symphony ( The Romantic ), op.152 (2000)
  • Seventh Symphony ( Like on a Volcano ), op.155 (2001)
  • Eighth Symphony (to be - to pass ), op.158 (2002/03)
  • Tre poeme per orchestra (quasi sinfonia) , op.173 (2005/07)
  • Sinfonia notturna , op. 176 (1979/2007)
concert
  • First concerto for violin and orchestra, op.13 (1968)
  • First concert for piano and orchestra, op.14 (1968)
  • Fuormas per orgla, orchestra da camera e percussiun, op.43 (1971)
  • Concerto campestre for clarinet and string orchestra, op.11 (1980)
  • Second Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, op.92 (1981)
  • Concerto for organ, string orchestra and timpani, op. 98 (1983)
  • Old Style Concert for Organ and String Orchestra, op.100 (1983)
  • Concerto for pan flute and string orchestra, op.106 (1985)
  • Concerto for horn and string orchestra, op.107 (1985)
  • Second concerto for piano and orchestra, op.109 (1986)
  • Concerto for flute and string orchestra, op.130 (1992)
  • Concerto da chiesa per due organi, vibrafono, timpani e archi, op.133 (1993)
  • Concerto for two pianos and orchestra, op.149 (1999)
  • Concerto galante ( harp and minstrel ), for violin, harp and string orchestra, op.160 (2002/03)
  • Concerto for violoncello and orchestra, op.163 (2004)
  • In the fairytale castle (three scenes), for flute, gramorimba and string orchestra, op.190 (2012)
Chamber music
  • Octet for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 french horns and 2 bassoons, op.79 (1978)
  • Mascherate , sei pantomime per quintetto d'ottoni, op.86 (1979)
  • Suita for string trio, op.102 (1984)
  • Serenada for 2 clarinets and basset horn, op.108a (1986)
  • Divertimento No. 3 for 4 flutes, op.114 (1988)
  • Sonata for violin and piano op.143 (1996)
  • Amur e dolur (7 Rhaeto-Romanic folk songs about love and suffering), for flute and harp, op.180 (2009)
Piano music
  • Suita fantastica , op.82 (1979)
  • Four pieces for piano, op.94 (1981/83)
  • Six Intermezzi, op.122 (1990)
Organ music
  • Toccata in h (1965)
  • Fantasia for organ, op.63 no.1 (1975)
  • Trois pièces pour grand orgue, op.90 (1980)
  • Five Partitas for Organ, Op. 5 (1980–1994)
Film music
  • Music for the animated film Salep e la furmicla (1978)
  • Music for the film ? Who was Jürg Jenatsch? , op. 42 (1971)

Fundaziun / Gion Antoni Derungs Foundation

The aim of the foundation is to secure Derungs' work and promote its dissemination. It helps to cement his reputation as "the leading Swiss composer of modern times".

This is done in particular through:

  • the indexing and publication of the compositions
  • the mediation and distribution of his works at home and abroad
  • the further expansion and maintenance of the electronic information database www.gionantoniderungs.ch
  • support for the establishment of an archive by the Cantonal Library of Graubünden
  • the promotion of concerts with his works and other events
  • the advisory, journalistic and material support of concerts with his works
  • maintaining relationships and exchanges among the performers, supporters and supporters of his work.

The foundation's activities are financed by project contributions and the contributions of the Societad Gion Antoni Derungs support group .

literature

  • Nina Debrunner: Gion Antoni Derungs . In: Andreas Kotte (Ed.): Theater Lexikon der Schweiz . Volume 1, Chronos, Zurich 2005, ISBN 3-0340-0715-9 , pp. 456–458.
  • Laura Decurtins: 'In maletg da mia veta': From the life and work of the composer Gion Antoni Derungs (1935-2012) , in: Mitteilungen des Institut für Kulturforschung Graubünden (ikg) , Chur 2019, pp. 23–26.
  • Fundaziun / Gion Antoni Derungs Foundation (ed.): The only important thing is the sound result , Seengen 2015.
  • Thomas Gartmann: Gion Antoni Derungs , in: Composers of the Present (KDG), Edition text + kritik (as of March 15, 2007), in the Munzinger Archive ( beginning of the article freely available)
  • Maya Höneisen: 'A profound person with an incredible humanity'. Gion Antoni Derungs - the Rhaeto-Romanic music pioneer , in: Terra Grischuna 74/2, 2015, pp. 56–59.
  • Thomas Järmann: Order in the kaleidoscope. A report on the reorganization of the catalog raisonné by Gion Antoni Derungs , in: Die Tonkunst 4/2015, pp. 436–438.
  • Pio Pellizzari : Derungs, Gion Antoni. In: Historical Lexicon of Switzerland .
  • Stephan Thomas: Gion Antoni Derungs , in: Music in past and present (MGG, 2nd edition), personal section, vol. 5, col. 848 f.
  • Stephan Thomas: Inspiration on forest paths and park benches. The composer Gion Antoni Derungs , in: Bündner Jahrbuch 53, 2011, pp. 85–92.

Catalog raisonnés

  • Gion Antoni Derungs: List of compositions, manuscript, 4 issues, 1965-2012, Chur 2012.
  • Susy Derungs: Gion Antoni Derungs. Catalogo delle opere. Systematic catalog raisonné. List systematique des œuvres, Pizzicato Verlag, Basel 1996.
  • Thomas Järmann: Gion Antoni Derungs. List of compositions, Frauenfeld 2015.
  • Laura Decurtins: Gion Antoni Derungs. List of compositions, 2nd revised. Edition, St. Gallen 2019.

Discography (selection)

  • Sontga Margriata, op. 78. Opera ballet in three parts , Cantus Laetus, Quartet Grischun, Atelier Instrumental, Geneva, Lt. Jean-Marie Curti, Ediziun Canzuns popularas (CPLP 30-795), Savognin 1982.
  • Requiem, op. 74 , choir mischedau dalla Surselva, Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie, Bodensee Symphonieorchester, Lt. Claudio Simonet, Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha, Disentis-Mustér 1992.
  • Il semiader (The Dreamer), op.125 , Claudio Danuser, Jean-Jacques Knutti, Judith Graf, Lucretia Lendi, et al., Chor ad hoc, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Lt. Sylvia Caduff, Musique Suisses (MGB 6140), 1996. [1]
  • Virtuoso clarinet music / Musica virtuosa per clarinetta, by / da Gion Antoni Derungs , Josias Just (cl), Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha, Chur 2000 (TIME 09012000).
  • Trittongo. Works by Gion Antoni Derungs , Cristina Vital (fl), Julia Kreyenbühl (hf), Dorothea Cantieni (cemb), Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha, Chur 2010.
  • Gion Antoni Derungs. Purtret musical per il 75avel anniversari , Top classic, vol. 3/4, Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha, Chur 2010.
  • Svyati - Live at the Brandenburg Choral Festival of London (first recording of the Missa pro defunctis, op. 57), Vocalino Wettingen, Lt. David Rossel, 2019.

Contributions to radio, film and television

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ in: "The only important thing is the sounding result", 2015, back cover.
personal data
SURNAME Derungs, Gion Antoni
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swiss musician, music teacher and composer
DATE OF BIRTH September 6, 1935
PLACE OF BIRTH Vella ( Canton of Graubünden )
DATE OF DEATH 4th September 2012
Place of death Chur