THE LIVING COMPOSERS PROJECT  

Ulrich Gasser

(b. 19 April 1950, Frauenfeld).

Swiss composer of mostly orchestral, chamber, choral, vocal, piano, and organ works that have been performed throughout Europe.

Mr. Gasser studied transverse flute at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Winterthur, then with André Jaunet at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Zürich and composition with Klaus Huber at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg in Freiburg im Breisgau from 1974–77.

Among his honours are a prize from the seminar of the Künstlerhaus Boswil (1974), two prizes in the competition of the Internationale Gaudeamus Muziekweek in Amsterdam (1975–76), Zweiter Preis in the competition of the festival Ensemblia in Mönchengladbach (1982), Erster Preis in the competition of the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart (1985), and the Thurgauer Kulturpreis (1991).

He is also active in other positions. He worked with ISCM Zürich and with the Musikkommission of the Künstlerhaus Boswil for many years. He served as president of the forum andere musik in Kreuzlingen from 1992–98 and of the Schweizer Musikedition from 1994–2003. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Schweizerischer Tonkünstlerverein from 1998–2004, as its president from 2002–04 and as its sécretaire artistique from 2004–08. In addition, he seved as a member of the board of directors of the union Suisseculture from 1999–2003 and as a member of the board of directors of the European Composers Forum from 2006–09.

He taught at the Pädagogische Maturitätsschule Kreuzlingen from 1976–2004.

His primary publisher is Musikhaus Jecklin & Co., but Casa Ricordi is the publisher of some of his early music.

CONTACT INFORMATION

E-mail address: ulrgasser@bluewin.ch

Website: http://www.ulrichgasser.ch/EnglischeVersion/e_index.html

COMPLETE LIST OF WORKS

STAGE:

Stein/Zeit/Spiele, 5 actors, 1983–85

Tanzschritte mit Stolpersteinen (ballet without libretto in 6 miniatures), oboe, English horn, A-clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 French horns, double bass, 1995

Ödipustochter (opera, libretto by Eva Tobler, after Søren Kierkegaard), 2 sopranos, alto, tenor, baritone, female chorus, recorders (+ basset horn, saxophones, Klangsteine [lithophones by Arthur Schneiter], movement) (1 player), double bass, accordion (+ trombone), Klangsteine (1 player), 1996–2002

Ich, Sibylle (music for a room with a theatrical interlude, texts from Sibylline oracles, adapted by Eva Tobler, the composer), 5 speakers–actors, female chorus, mixed chorus, flute (+ piccolo), oboe (+ English horn), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), bassoon (+ contrabassoon), French horn, trumpet, tenor horn, trombone, tuba, 2011–12

ORCHESTRAL:

Noten VI, flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, orchestra, 1977–79 (version of Paraphrase III, 'Hoffnung')

Baum-/Fels-/Eiswasser- und Fischstücke, piano, electronic organ, accordion, small orchestra (10 winds, 8 brass, 3 percussion), 1981

Vier Stücke zur Passions- und Weihnachtszeit, youth orchestra, 1982

Kleiner Kreuzgang, violin, string orchestra, 1982–83

Wer hörte mich denn; wenn ich riefe (Marianne Fritz), 1989

Fries der Lauschenden, accordion, percussion, 16 strings, 1991–92

Pasticcio, small orchestra (29 players), 1995

Stukkatur, 2 pianos, small orchestra (9 winds, 2 French horns, 2 trombones, tuba, 2 percussion), 2008–10

CHAMBER MUSIC:

Passion I / ein Versuch, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, fixed media, 1975

Paraphrase III, 'Hoffnung', flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, 1976–77 (also version as Noten VI, flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, orchestra)

Steinstücke I, viola, piano (2 players) (with assistant ad libitum), 1978 (its 13 sections may be performed separately)

Vier Kleine Stücke I, viola, 1978

Steinstücke II, oboe (+ English horn), clarinet (+ bass clarinet), 1978–79

Vier Kleine Stücke II, English horn, bass clarinet, bassoon, 1978–79

Versteinerungen, oboe d'amore, clarinet (+ E-flat clarinet), bassoon (+ contrabassoon), 1978–79

Felsen der Meteora-Klöster I, alto flute, piano, 1979–80

Felsen der Meteora-Klöster III, '...sind wir wie Zugvögel', flute (+ alto flute), English horn, 3 clarinets, bassoon, 3 French horns, trombone, harp, guitar, 3 violas, double bass, 1980

Christusdornen, string quartet, 1977–81

Herbstkälte im Nebel, flute, guitar (tuned in quarter-tones), 1980–81

Herbstzeichen, guitar, 1980–81

Weites Land, flute/alto flute, 1982 (also versions as Seeland, alto recorder, 1982; Thurland, alto recorder, transverse flute, 1982 [also version for 2 alto recorders, 1982])

Zwölf Bicinien, 2 alto recorders/transverse flutes, 1982

House of Usher, violin, viola, cello, theatrical set ad libitum, 1982–83

Vier Stücke über Worte Ulrich Braekers, 4 saxophones, 1983

Stilleben, marmoriert, 4 saxophones, 1983

Papierblüten, flute, 1982–84

Wegstück und ein tristes Largo, guitar, 1983–84

Kieselsteine, string quartet, 1984

WinterrosenVier Skizzen zu Heloisa, flute/any melody instrument, piano, 1984

Via crucis, trombone, viola, cello, double bass, piano, percussion, 1984 (one section may be performed separately: Via isolata, trombone)

Und bräche nicht aus allen seinen Rändern aus wie ein Stern, viola, piano, 1983–85

Die Worte sanken wie Steine in seine Seele, 4/8/18 flutes, 1985–86

Schtei, tenor recorder, 1985–86

Sand jener Tage, French horn (+ natural horn, cow horn, conch), organ, 1986

Steinerne Worte zertrümmert (players also speak text by Stefan Schütz), violin, cello, piano, 1986–87

Denn da ist keine Stelle, die dich nicht sieht, violin, piano, 1988–89

Die Singenden Zikaden, flute, 3 Klangsteine, 1989

Der Süden, English horn (+ oboe), 1989–90, revised 1992

Der Osten IIII, alto flute (+ bass flute)/contrabass flute (+ bass flute), 1990 (its three sections may be performed separately)

Sternwanderung, French horn, double bass, piano, 1990

Aurikel und Steinbrech, flute, 2 Klangsteine, 1988–91

H50K LAM II, bass flute (+ flute), piano, 1991

Prélude en pierre, stone piano, percussion, 1991

Gesang machtloser Sirenen, tenor recorder, bass flute (+ flute), bass clarinet, 1991 (three pieces performed simultaneously, each of which may be performed separately: Ikarus' Gesang über den Wassern, tenor recorder; Orpheus' Gesang über den Wassern, bass flute [+ flute]; Prometheus' Gesang zu den Felsen, bass clarinet)

Draussen, wo die Nymphen plätschern, bass recorder, alto flute, bass clarinet, 1991

Studie zu 'Der Wanderer' von Ernst Barlach, flute, piano, 1989–92

Lamentatio I, tenor recorder, guitar, 1990–92

Lamentatio II, bass flute (+ flute), harp, 1990–92

Die Neun Holzfiguren des 'Fries der Lauschenden' von Ernst Barlach, accordion, 1991–92

Mappa di Bedolina, cello, piano, 1992

ValcamonicaEine Studie über die Felsbilder des Val Camonica und die Bildbänder von Herbert Fritsch oder über Erinnern und Vergessen, 2 guitars, 1992–93

Spiegel, alto recorder, flute, 1993

Little Storyboard, flute, 1993

Schatten im duftenden Garten, bass flute, 1996 (also version as Spiel im duftenden Garten, flute, bass flute, 1996)

Der Duftende Garten, alto flute, bass flute/fixed media, 1996

...ein Röcheln, von Zeit..., alto flute, cello, harpsichord, 1997–98

Rotondo, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, viola, double bass, piano, accordion, percussion, 1998–99 (collaboration with Werner Bärtschi, Max E. Keller, Martin Sigrist, Peter Wettstein)

Flugmeeting 1937, violin, viola, cello, 1999 (concert version of score for silent film)

Mein Herz ging in sich (Rudolf Borchardt), contrabass recorder (+ 6 rin [singing bowls from Japan], prepared dulcimer), 1999

140243FOMAGGIOH60 (graphic score for the 60th birthday of Francesco Hoch), any ensemble, 2003

Zeit/Züge I, flute, alto saxophone, B-flat trumpet, harp, guitar, violin, cello, piano (with assistant), harpsichord, 2004

Zeit/Züge II, recorder, viola da gamba, harpsichord, 2004

Albumblatt, flute, oboe d'amore, cello, harpsichord, 2004 (collaboration with Julien-François Zbinden, Hans Ulrich Lehmann, Martin Derungs, Daniel Fueter, Roman Brotbeck)

Le Chevalier de Brancion en regardant ses terres, flute, 2004–05

Zeit/Züge III, flute, piano, 2004–05

Station I / Ich will den Kopf des Täufers, English horn, organ, 2006 (section of Kleine Passion am Stadtberg; may be performed separately)

Station II / Sie verstanden seine Worte nicht, viola, organ, 2006 (section of Kleine Passion am Stadtberg; may be performed separately)

Station III / Sie hat meinen Leib gesalbt, alto flute, organ, 2006 (section of Kleine Passion am Stadtberg; may be performed separately)

Ostern / Selig sind, die nicht sehen, und doch glauben, flute, oboe, viola, organ, 2006 (section of Kleine Passion am Stadtberg; may be performed separately)

CHER-CH-ER, oboe, viola, cello, accordion, 2008

Georgiade, oboe d'amore, English horn, 2008

Chant sévère, violin, 2009

Amen, Lob, Preis und Herrlichkeit (after melody by Martin Luther), alto flute, bass flute, 2010

CHORAL:

Passion II / Stationen, 2 sopranos, mixed chorus, 2 trombones, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, 2 pianos, organ, harpsichord, percussion, 1975–77

Versuch/Gedanken über/zu 'Christe, du Lamm Gottes', 8 mixed voices, clarinet, soprano saxophone/trumpet, 1978

Agenda Missæ, priest, mixed chorus, congregational chorus, trombones, organ, 1978–79

Das Lied der Weisheit (text from the Book of Proverbs), 6/12 female voices, 1982

Aus den Sprüchen: das Lied der Weisheit, soprano, tenor, bass, live electronics ad libitum, 1982

Zur kalten Zeit (text by Bertolt Brecht), 16 mixed voices, 1981–83

Psalm 104 Vers 15, 30 mixed voices, 1984–85 (also longer version for 30 mixed voices, piccolo, alto flute, English horn, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, contrabassoon, French horn, flügelhorn, 3 trombones, percussion, 1984–85)

Der Vierte König (oratorio, text by Klaus Röhring, after Edzard Schaper), soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone, mixed chorus, Klangstein, small orchestra (6 winds, 9 brass, harp, guitar, accordion, percussion), 1989–91

Gnade sei mit euchund gebe euch Frieden, soprano ad libitum, priest, mixed chorus, organ/accordion, percussion ad libitum, 1991

Archaischer Torso Apollos (text by Rainer Maria Rilke), mixed chorus, 1991

It Biten, children's chorus/mixed chorus, saxophone, piano/accordion, 1992 (also versions for mixed chorus, 1992; speaking chorus, piano/accordion, 1992; mixed chorus, piano/accordion, 1992)

Hymnos, 7 soloists, speaker, 2 mixed choruses, piccolo, English horn, basset horn, soprano saxophone, contrabassoon, flügelhorn, 2 tenor horns, contrabass trombone, harp, accordion, 1991–93, revised 1998–99

Siehe, dein Sohn (text from the Bible), mixed chorus, organ/accordion, percussion ad libitum, 1993

Und dann die Becher und dann die Stimmen, soprano, priest, accordion, percussion, 1993

Von der unerbittlichen Zufälligkeit des Todes (oratorio, texts by Claudius, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Andreas Gryphius, Johann Gottfried Herder, Christian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau, Friedrich Hölderlin, Gottfried Keller, Rainer Maria Rilke, the Bible), 6 female voices, 6 male voices, 8 flutes, 6 Klangsteine, 1993–95

Amen, amen, ich sage dir: Wenn jemand nicht von neuem geboren wird, kann er das Reich Gottes nicht sehen (text from the Book of John), baritone, bass, female speakers, male speakers, priests, mixed chorus, congregational chorus, bassoon, 2 flügelhorns (both + trumpet), 2 tenor horns, 2 trombones, accordion, 1996–97

Pater venit hora (oratorio, texts from the Bible, Stabat Mater dolorosa [translated by Eva Tobler]), soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed chorus, male chorus, trumpet, 2 trombones, organ, portative organ, string orchestra, 1998–99

De Brevitate vitæPraeludium zu Mozarts Requiem, soloists, mixed chorus, orchestra, 2004–05

Kleine Passion am Stadtberg (6 stations), soprano, flute (+ alto flute), oboe (+ oboe d'amore, English horn), viola, organ, 2006 (its sections may be performed separately: Station I / Ich will den Kopf des Täufers; Station II / Sie verstanden seine Worte nicht; Station III / Sie hat meinen Leib gesalbt; Station IV / Steht auf, der Verräter ist da; Karfreitag / Frau, siehe, dein Sohn [Ein Stabat Mater], soprano, oboe d'amore, organ; Ostern / Selig sind, die nicht sehen, und doch glauben)

Seht, es kommen Tage (texts by Cornelius Becker, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Nelly Sachs, Hilde Domin, the Book of Amos, arranged by Eva Tobler, the composer), alto, mixed chorus, piccolo, harp, viola, 2011

Er ist gekommen, Feuer auf die Erde zu werfen (text from the Acts of the Apostles, arranged by Eva Tobler), mixed chorus, 2012–13

VOCAL:

Weitere Gründe Gott zu loben (text by Dorothee Sölle), speaker, flute/2 flutes, viola, organ, 1980

Torso (text by Rainer Maria Rilke), soprano/tenor, flute, 1981

Gestern/Strasse (text by Stefan Schütz), low voice, piano, 1988

Magnolie des Herbstes (text by Rudolf Borchardt; instrumentalists also speak), male voice–speaker, recorders (+ saxophone) (1 player), 7 Klangsteine (3 players), 1988–89

Irrtum: Inde genus durum sumus (text by Henry David Thoreau), mezzo-soprano, baritone, 1988–89

Zitat (text by Octavio Paz), soprano, organ, Klangstein, 1991

Abendmahl (text by Kurt Marti), soprano, accordion, percussion, 1993

Und spielte vor ihm allezeit (text from the Bible), soprano/mezzo-soprano, bass flute, Klangstein, 1993–94

Wie der Hirsch lechzt nach frischem Wasser (text from Psalm 42), soprano, soprano recorder/any other instrument, organ, 1997

Visio Stephanioder wie der Heilige Stephanus zu Tode kam (text by Eva Tobler), baritone, organ (with 2 assistants), 1999–2000 (also version for baritone, flutes [1 player], Klangsteine [1 player], 2003)

Die Stille Verzweiflung (text by Søren Kierkegaard), mezzo-soprano, bass flute, organ, 2001

Zwätschgemues vom Namebuech (text by Eva Tobler), speaker, 3 players, 2002–03

Visio Stephanisteiniget, steiniget ihn!, baritone, flutes (1 player), Klangsteine, 2002–06

In den Glutabend geworfen (text by Torsten Preisser 'Scardanelli'), soprano, piano, 2004–07

Mülheimer Hohes Lied, high voice, piano, 2006–07

... strebend sodann und übergeführt zum andern Leben ... / ... de la florescence à la vie éternelle ... (text by St. Maximus the Confessor), mezzo-soprano, 2 basses, fixed media, live electronics, 2007

Ausgang (text by Theodor Fontane), low voice, 2008

Walliser Stunde (text by Torsten Preisser 'Scardanelli'), soprano/mezzo-soprano, baritone/bass-baritone, piano, 2010–11

Wer je sich in ein Labyrinth begeben (Unverhofftes Wiedersehen) (texts by Johann Peter Hebel, Joseph von Eichendorff, August von Platen-Hallermünde, Adelbert von Chamisso, arranged by Eva Tobler), soprano, French horn, piano, 2012–13

Simon mit dem Kreuz (texts by Christine Busta, Paul Celan, Peter Handke, the Bible, arranged by Eva Tobler), speaker, flute (+ alto flute, bass flute), organ, 2013

PIANO:

BilderbuchLegende, 2 pianos, 1972

BilderbuchOhne Titel, 2 pianos, 1973–74

BilderbuchVier Paprikafrüchte, 2 pianos, 1974

Klaviermusik I, 'Sonazium', 1972–76

Paganini-Variationen, 1978

Klaviermusik II, 'Narratiritazium', 1981–83

Vier Entwürfe zu einer Szene mit Heloisa, 1984

Steinkreis (13 pieces), 1983–85, revised 2006

EisFisch, 1981–86

Skizze: Choraliter, 1986

Bedolina, 1992

BilderbuchFries der Lauschenden (after 9 wooden sculptures by Ernst Barlach), 2008

ORGAN:

Orgelmusik I, 'Orgeliade', flute ad libitum, violin ad libitum, organ, 1976–78

Orgelmusik II, 'Weitere Gründe Gott zu loben', female speaker ad libitum, male speaker ad libitum, flute ad libitum, viola ad libitum, organ, 1980

Orgelstück zum Lied der Weisheit, organ with 3/4 manuals, 1982

Nach(t)klang, 1985

La Roche aux fées, 1988

Engel, den toten Christus haltend, und Maria lächelt, 1995

Station IV / Steht auf, der Verräter ist da, 2006 (section of Kleine Passion am Stadtberg; may be performed separately)

HARPSICHORD:

Cembalomusik, female voice ad libitum, any instrument ad libitum, harpsichord, 1976–77

SCORES FOR SILENT FILMS:

Flugmeeting 1937, violin, viola, cello, 1999 (for Flugmeeting 1937 by Jakob Tuggener; may be performed as concert work)

Grimentz 1938, violin, viola, cello, improvisational Klangstein, 1999 (for Grimentz 1938 by Jakob Tuggener)