Peter Wettstein

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Peter Wettstein

Peter Wettstein (born September 15, 1939 in Zurich- Oerlikon ) is a Swiss composer , conductor and music educator .

Life

After graduating from high school, Peter Wettstein studied at the Music Academy and the University of Zurich , then at the Detmold University of Music . 1961 to 1965 followed the diploma degrees in the subjects violin, sound engineer and conducting. Courses and internships in Darmstadt, Paris, Hilversum and New York complemented his training. His most important teachers were: Alexander Schaichet (violin), Rudolf Kelterborn and Giselher Klebe (composition), Martin Stephani and Gustav König (conducting), Erich Thienhaus (sound engineer). Wettstein was a scholarship holder of the German Academic Exchange Service.

From 1965 he worked as a teacher for music theory and conducting at the Zurich Music Academy and Conservatory , from 1975 headed the professional department of the Zurich Conservatory and University of Music and from 1978 also taught at the Musicological Institute of the University of Zurich. As a conductor, he has directed numerous world premieres and premieres.

All classical genres are represented in his compositional work catalog. It comprises around 80 compositions, mostly commissioned works. Wettstein has been involved in various state and private cultural institutions. After retiring from university in 2003, he headed the oldest Swiss music festival, the Braunwald Music Week , for eleven years , and continued to support various cultural and political bodies. He has been married to the painter and sculptor Elisabeth Wettstein-Wille since 1968, has two sons and four grandchildren with her and now lives in Wallisellen and Elm .

Works (selection)

  • Traumbilder for soprano, baritone and string quartet (2013)
  • Schattenaug for mixed choir and three clarinets (2010)
  • Through space and time for recorder, oboe, trumpet, violin and string orchestra (2004)
  • Inanna's Descent into the Underworld , quintet for flute, violin, 2 violas and violoncello (2000)
  • Rotondo , Nonett, joint composition of the Zurich Composers' Office (1998)
  • (T) Raummusik for three clarinets, horn, trumpet and trombone (1995)
  • Kaleidos for 16 string instruments and percussion (1993)
  • Concerto violinissimo (violin concerto with auxiliary soloists and orchestra) (1991)
  • Viriditas for dancers, 9 vocal soloists and small orchestra (1990)
  • Elegy , cantata for female and male voices, 10 wind instruments and stick plays (1988)
  • Janus for string quartet (1988)
  • Aphoriphone for 12 string instruments and clown (ad.lib.) (1982)
  • Alkezir , music for orchestra (1981)
  • Invocations for clarinet and organ (1976)
  • Fantasia for organ (1962)

Web links
personal data
SURNAME Wettstein, Peter
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swiss composer, conductor and music mediator
DATE OF BIRTH September 15, 1939
PLACE OF BIRTH Zurich - Oerlikon