Egk, (Mayer) Werner (b Auchsesheim, Bavaria, 1901; d Inning, Bavaria, 1983). Ger. composer and conductor. Cond. for Bavarian radio 1930–3 and at Berlin State Opera 1937–41. Dir., Berlin Hochschule für Musik 1950–3. Very active on behalf of performing rights, etc. Controversial figure, his opera Peer Gynt being banned by Nazis because of its satire on régime, but he wrote mus. for Berlin Olympic Games 1936 and was head of the Ger. Union of Composers 1941–5. Colouristic and rhythmical features of his work derive from admiration for Stravinsky. Works incl.:OPERAS: Columbus (1933 radio, 1942 stage); Die Zaubergeige (1935, rev. 1954); Peer Gynt (1938); Circe (1945, rev. 1966 as 17 Tage und 4 Minuten); Irische Legende (after Yeats, 1955, rev. 1970); Der Revisor (after Gogol's The Government Inspector, 1957); Die Verlobung in San Domingo (1963).BALLETS: Joan von Zarissa (1940); Abraxas (1947–8); Ein Sommertag (1950); Die chinesische Nachtigall (1953); Casanova in London (1969).ORCH.: Geigenmusik, vn. and orch. (1936); Olympische Festmusik (1936); Französische Suite (after Rameau, 1949); Variations on a Caribbean Theme (1959); Orchestra Sonata No.2 (1969); Spiegelzeit (1979).VOICE & ORCH.: Variations on an Old Viennese Song, coloratura sop. (for singing-lesson scene in Il barbiere di Siviglia) (1938); La Tentation de Saint Antoine, mez., str. qt. (1947, rev. for mez., str. qt., str. 1952); Chanson et Romance, coloratura sop. (1953).CHORAL: Furchtlosigkeit und Wohlwollen, oratorio (1931, rev. 1959); Mein Vaterland (1937).