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Baer Walter

(07. 04. 1928 - 16. 03. 2015)

Baer Walter
Baer Walter
(ZH)

www.walterbaer.ch



Genre: Classical Music
Professional activity: Composers
Biography
* 07. 04. 1928 Zürich, † 16. 03. 2015.

- Studies at the Zurich conservatory (piano diploma)
- Composition under the tutelage of Paul Müller and later Rudolf Kelterborn
- Piano studies under Czeslaw Marek
- Musicological studies in various European countries and the USA
- Teacher of school music at a college in Zurich and a teacher-training seminar
1974 until 1993 - Head of the school music department at the conservatory and music school of Zurich
- Produced more than 80 works in various genres over the years, including some commissioned pieces; works performed nationally and internationally
- The piece "Meeting" won the first prize at the ten Swiss cities composition competition and was performed in 1976 at the Lucerne Festival
1985 & 1987 - Guest composer with performances at the Bowling Green State University's New Music Festival, Ohio (USA).
1992 - Prize for composition from the Union of European Choral Federations for "Der gefrorene Christ"
- Invitations to give presentations at schools of music and universities in Germany, Austria and Turkey.
- Several world premieres of large choral works at the Ljubliana Philharmonic with the Slovenian Chamber Choir and a series of various works for chamber orchestra in Sofia, Plovdiv and other Bulgarian cities.
Nov 2005 - Performance in the largest Swiss cities of the double concert "Cantus Gemellus" for violin and orchestra with the soloists Deborah Marchetti and Mario Hossen together with the Scala Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jean-Bernard Pommier
April 2007 - Performance of the commissioned piece "Ushuaia, Himno por la Paz" at the Ushuaia International Music Festival, Argentina, by the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Claude Villaret.
- Tribute to the composer by the city of Ushuaia


Work list

Neun kleine Klavierstücke (1949-1990)

A light to intermediate piece, also suitable for tuition.

Duration: 13' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 23.00
Mobile (1966)

Instrumentation: for flute

Duration: 3' 00"
Manuscript
Jauchzet dem Herrn (1967)

Instrumentation: for singing voice, organ, choir and orchestra

Duration: 19' 00"
Manuscript
Aufzeichnungen für Orgel (1967)

Instrumentation: for organ

Duration: 7' 00"
Manuscript
Threnos, Hymnos. (1968)
Two piano pieces.

Both piano pieces point towards two realms of experience. Free rhythmical sequences alternate with metrically fixed ones in the mourning song, whereas the hymn presents bold tremoli followed by fanfare-like unisono sounds. A clearly articulated space/time feeling is achieved by using unusual playing techniques.

Duration: 9' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 13.30
Hades (1969)

Instrumentation: for female choir, percussion and instrumental ensemble

Texts: Manfred Züfle

Duration: 15' 00"
Manuscript
Zmittst i de Nacht (1969)
A little Christmas music

Instrumentation: for children's choir and piano or organ (instruments ad lib.)

Texts: Walter Baer

Duration: 9' 00"
Musikverlag zum Pelikan
Hug & Co. Musikverlage
Limmatquai 28-30
CH-8001 Zürich
Schweiz
Neun aleatorische Ereignisse (1970)

Instrumentation: for piano

Manuscript
Für eine Flaschenpost (1971)
Music

Instrumentation: for flute and piano

Duration: 4' 40"
Manuscript
From Unreality to Unreality (1972)

Instrumentation: for soprano, three flutes and three clarinets

Texts: Jorge Manrique, Paul Eluard, Georg Philipp Harsdörffer, T.S. Eliot

In this composition four texts from different authors, languages and historical origin have been used, but all bear on the same theme: the fragility of existence, the problem of the concept of reality. A work of meditation, floating and fragile, it hints at the irrational in both its vocal and instrumental sounds. The Soprano sings in Spanish, French, German and English.

Duration: 10' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 26.00
Expansionen (1973)

Instrumentation: for orchestra

Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Meeting for four groupes of instruments (1974)

Instrumentation: for four instrumental groups (0.2.2.0/1.1.1.0/4-5perc/hp.pf/2vc.db)

This piece features differing instrumental groups manifesting three timbres. Together they form a connection with, and at the same symbolise, the various aspects of human behaviour. A fourth, less homogeneous group, gradually prevails.

Duration: 9' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
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CHF: 34.00
Five Movements for Clarinet, Violin and Violoncello (1974)

These five short movements require a very sensitive interpretation - already obvious from the detailed notation. Composed in an atonal style, it features rhythmic and articulatory differentiated structures.

Duration: 8' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
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CHF: 15.00
Desolatio Marsyae (1975)

Instrumentation: for three recorders (one player)

The 'Desolation of Marsyas' relates to the Greek saga. The simultaneous playing of two recorders is evocative of the Aulos with its double reed. It is possible to achieve a feeling of the desperate, tricky, competition between the aulete and the Apollon citharode by using various unconventional playing techniques.

Duration: 6' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 13.30
In die immer kühlere Welt (1976)

Instrumentation: for mixed choir

Texts: Max Geilinger, Kaiserin von Nijo, Julius Kurth, Spervogel, Pierre Trochu, Tse-Hgang Tsch'en, Max Wehrli, Franz Wellner

Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
Somnium Daedali (1976)

Instrumentation: for tenor/bass trombone and piano

The Dream of Daedalus is a vision of the inventor of momentous creations such as flying machines or the labyrinth. We hear amorphous material confronted by predictable structures in several sequences. An extremely differentiated handling of sound.

Duration: 9' 40"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 26.00
Sonatina Nostalgica (1977)

Instrumentation: for violin and piano

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 17.40
(violin part: sFr. 10.80)
Message (1977)

Instrumentation: for alto transverse flute, English horn and basset horn

Duration: 14' 00"
Manuscript
Inventio Mercurii (1977)

Instrumentation: for violoncello solo

This piece is occupied with the discovery of the sonorous sounds of the string instruments (Hermes resp. Mercury discovered a rich sound, using the shell of a tortoise as a resonance chamber). Beginning with poorly resonating tones, and using appropriate playing techniques, the grand tone of modern instruments gradually developed.

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 14.00
Psalmus Nonus (1978)

Instrumentation: for soprano, tenor, mixed choir and organ

Duration: 13' 00"
Manuscript
Zwei Klavierstücke (1979)

Duration: 7' 00"
Manuscript
Tria Skolia (1980)

Instrumentation: for clarinet and piano

A skolion is an ancient Greek drinking song.

Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Cahier Anatolien (1981)

Instrumentation: for oboe and piano

Aulos, Tibia, Bombarde, Zurna.
Composed and published as a commission by Zurich city.

Duration: 10' 00"
Hug & Co. Musikverlage
Limmatquai 28-30
CH-8001 Zürich
Cennet Cehennem (1981-1982)
Concerto

Instrumentation: for six wind (fl.ob.cl.Ebasx/drm/ hn) and two orchestras (1: pic.2.2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbn/0.0.0.0/timp.2perc/hp/str/ 2: 0.0.0.0/3.3.3.1/2perc/str)

The title is Turkish and means 'Heaven and Hell'. It is also a synonym for a cave in southern turkey.

Duration: 18' 00"
Manuscript
Vestigia (1983)

Instrumentation: for two trumpets and two trombones

1. Signa
2. Muri et portae
3. Capharnaum
Three movements referring to various archaeological events in Israel.

Duration: 10' 30"
Manuscript
Souvenir de Brandebourg (1985)
Concerto

Instrumentation: for piano instrumental trio (flute, oboe, violin) and string orchestra

This work is based in its outward form on J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. This hybrid of piano concert and concerto grosso with flute, oboe and solo violin in concertino is also reminiscent of the Baroque composition technique.

Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Pastorale (1986)

Instrumentation: for glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylorimba and wind sextet (fl.ob.cl/tpt.hn.tbn)

Requires only one player for the glockenspiel, vibraphone and xylorimba.

Duration: 13' 00"
Manuscript
Aoide Seirenon (1986)

Instrumentation: for violin and piano

The siren song relates to the twelfth song in Homer's Odyssey. This piece in one movement expresses the dichotomy between the beautiful and the appalling. Despite the reference to mythology, the composition is not based on any key idea.

Duration: 10' 30"
Breitkopf & Härtel
Postfach 1707
D-65195 Wiesbaden
Tel. +49 611 45 00 80
Hegar-Variationen (1987)

Instrumentation: for violin and large orchestra (3.3(ca).3(bcl).2/4.3.2.0/timp.perc/str)

Duration: 5' 00"
Manuscript
For an Indian Summer (1987)

Instrumentation: for violin and harp

Duration: 4' 30"
Manuscript
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (1987)

Instrumentation: (2.2.2.2/2.2.1.0/timp/hp/str)

The violin concerto succeeds thanks to its sonorous and atmospheric sound world, and without a need to rely on traditional forms and structures.

Duration: 17' 40"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 49.30
(violin part available from the SME: Sfr. 14.-)
Der Nussbaum. Musik zu einem Handpuppenspiel (1987)
Music for a puppet theatre

Instrumentation: for ensemble (flute, bassoon, timpani, drum, violin and five effect instruments

Duration: 30' 00"
Manuscript
Elegie (1988)

Instrumentation: for horn quartet and string orchestra

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 22.20
C'est d'Aucassin et de Nicolette (1989)

Instrumentation: for soprano, flute, harpsichord and cello

Duration: 22' 30"
Manuscript
Fragments of a Dream (1989)

Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and piano

The title relates to the dream experiences of Indians.

Duration: 13' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 18.60
(saxophone part: sFr. 14.40)
Der gefrorene Christ (The Frozen Christ) (1990)

Instrumentation: for soprano and mixed a-cappella choir

Texts: Gottfried Keller, Angelus Silesius

The simple notation combines with the texts by Gottfried Keller and Angelus Silesius, creating to produce a multi-faceted musical statement. The limitations of good vocal voice-leading presents high-demands in intonation.

Duration: 12' 40"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 19.20
Thoughts about Mozart (1991)

Instrumentation: for piano

Duration: 17' 00"
Manuscript
La joie de vivre (1992/2004)

Instrumentation: for flute and string orchestra

Three different perspectives of a single picture bearing the same title by Picasso.
Préludes pour Antipolis - La danse des animaux - La danseuse nue.
String orchestra: 1.1.1.1.1 (all voices excluding the db are also divided).

Duration: 13' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 33.00
(Stimmenmaterial: CHF 41.40)
Ficta Facta (1994)

Instrumentation: for voice, mixed choir and thirteen instruments (or piano)

Texts: Hans Martin Huepp

Duration: 2h 00"
Manuscript
Ouvertüre zu einem ungewissen Ereignis (1995)

Instrumentation: for large orchestra (pic.2.2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbn/4.3.3.cbtba/perc.timp/2hp/str)

A piece for the fictive re-opening of the bricked up Golden Gate in Jerusalem. This gate plays a different role in the myths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

Duration: 15' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 32.00
(orchestral material can be borrowed from the composer)
Passagen I (1996)
Three piano pieces

Widmung - Sonnenbild - Epitaph für Anton Webern form the first part of a cycle. The pieces differ in style and assertion. With a short commentary.

Duration: 9' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 16.20
Babel (1996)
Quartet

Instrumentation: for clarinet in E-flat, basset horn and bass clarinet

As well as a symbol of self-indulgence (building of the tower) and speechlessness (confusion of speech) Babel also stands for hope and a longing for happiness. The musical core is created by the melody B-A-B-E-soL (sol = G).

Duration: 14' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 18.60
Music Day (1997)
Fantasia

Instrumentation: for large wind ensemble

This entertaining piece was developed for an international brass band meeting.

Duration: 9' 00"
Manuscript
Passagen II (1997)
Three piano pieces

Integraal, The Sunpainter's Delight and Nachhall begin this series of short piano pieces with a short commentary.

Duration: 11' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 15.00
Minne ist so wunderlich (1998)
Songs

Instrumentation: for soli (SATB), mixed choir and four-handed piano

Texts: Johannes Hadlaub

Duration: 20' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 29.40
Passagen III (1998)
Three piano pieces

Prélude bien tempéré - Promenade plantée - Souvenir.

Duration: 13' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 16.80
Erscheinungen (1999)

Instrumentation: for piano

Duration: 16' 20"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 17.40
A travers les arbres (2001)
Trio

Instrumentation: for violine, violoncello and piano

Duration: 14' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 20.40
(Parts CHF 17.00)
Das Symposion des Xenophanes (2003)
Cantata

Instrumentation: for soli (AB from the choir) two choirs, flute, oboe, harp percussion and organ

Texts: Xenophanes von Kolophon, Marie Luise Kaschnitz

The two choirs are situated as far apart as possible. The vocal parts are demanding both for the soloists and the choir.

Duration: 38' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 48.00
Winter Music (2004)

Instrumentation: for string orchestra

1. On the Way
2. Winter's Tale
3. Koleda

Duration: 16' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 31.20
(Stimmenmaterial: CHF 32.40)
Orphische Gesänge (2005)

Instrumentation: for string orchestra

Multi-part, single-movement piece.

Duration: 20' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
Cantus Gemellus (2005)
concert

Instrumentation: for two solo violins and chamber orchestra (1.1.2.1/2.0.0.0/glock/str)

Duration: 10' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 30.00
(Stimmenmaterial: CHF 32.20)
Ushuaia (2006-2007)
Himno por la Paz

Instrumentation: for symphony orchestra (2.2.2.2/4.2.3.1/timp.perc/str)

Multi-part work in one movement.

Duration: 15' 30"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 29.40
(Stimmenmaterial: CHF 61.20)
Concerto (2007)

Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, string orchestra, harp, vibraphone and marimbaphone

Duration: 21' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 31.80
(Parts sold separately)
Evocation (2008)

Instrumentation: for string orchestra

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 18.60
(Stimmenmaterial: CHF 23.40)
Konzertstück (2004-2009)

Instrumentation: for piano and large orchestra (2(2.pic).2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbn/4.3.3.1/timp.perc/hp/str)

Multi-part, single-movement piece with solo cadence.

Duration: 20' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 49.30
(Piano score: sFr. 34.-)
Klarinetten-Oktett (clarinet octet) (2010)

Instrumentation: for Eb clarinet, 3 clarinets in B, 2 basset horns, 2 bass clarinets

Nach Wahl transponierend oder klingend

Duration: 10' 15"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 22.20
(Parts CHF 27.00)
Lichtspuren (2011)

Instrumentation: for harp and piano

This duo is composed of several parts differing in character, tempo and meter. The parts are to be performed atacca.

Duration: 15' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 30.00
Zwielicht (2011)

Instrumentation: for piano

Virtuosic single-part piano piece. The title refers to a lied by Robert Schumann.

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 15.30
Discography
Sound of Zurich (Guild Nr. GMCD 7413, 2014)
Works:
Baer, Walter: Lichtspuren (2011)
Derungs, Martin: 5 Portraits (2011)
Fueter, Daniel: Nocturne (2013)
With more works of: Theo Wegmann, Willy Frank
Info: www.fonoteca.ch
The Sunpainter's Delight (Guild Nr. 7241, 2002)
Works:
Baer, Walter: Passagen I (1996)
Baer, Walter: Passagen II (1997)
Baer, Walter: Passagen III (1998)
Baer, Walter: Erscheinungen (1999)
Info: www.fonoteca.ch
Somnia Daedali, Kammermusikwerke des Schweizer Komponisten Walter Baer (Quantaphone Music Promotion AG, 1994)
Interpreters:
Eichenberger, Ulrich
Works:
Baer, Walter: Somnium Daedali (1976)
Baer, Walter: Sonatina Nostalgica (1977)
Baer, Walter: Zwei Klavierstücke (1979)
Baer, Walter: Tria Skolia (1980)
Baer, Walter: Cahier Anatolien (1981)
Baer, Walter: Aoide Seirenon (1986)
Konzertante Werke für Violine und Orchester von Schweizer Komponisten (Gallo Nr. CD 582, 1988)
Works:
Martin, Frank: Concerto (1950-1951)
Meier, Jost: Trames 1-4 (1969)
Baer, Walter: Konzert für Violine und Orchester (1987)
Info: www.fonoteca.ch


Last updated: 2020-10-06 16:48:10