Hervig, Richard (Bilderback)

Hervig, Richard (Bilderback), American composer and teacher; b. Story City, Iowa, Nov. 24, 1917. He studied English at Augustana Coll. in Sioux Falls (B.A., 1939) and composition with Clapp at the Univ. of Iowa in Iowa City (M.A., 1941; Ph.D., 1947), where he then was on its faculty (1947–52). After serving as assoc. prof, of composition and theory at Long Beach (Calif.) State Coll. (1952–55), he returned to the Univ. of Iowa as a prof, in 1955; he also headed its composition dept., and later was co-director of its Center for New Music (1966–84).

Works

o r c h.: 2 syms. (1947, 1950); Music for a Concert (1959); A Diversion (1962); President’s Fanfare for Band (1964). CHAMBER: 2 clarinet sonatas (1953, 1971); String Quartet (1955); Music for Wind and Percussion (1960); Diversion for Trombone and Percussion (1969); Chamber Music for 6 Players for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Double Bass, Piano, and Percussion (1976); An Entertainment for Clarinet and Vibraphone or Marimba (1978); Violin Sonata (1979); Lyric Piece for Trumpet and Harp (1981); Suite for Vibraphone or Marimba (1981); Airs and Roulades for Clarinet and Winds (1983); “As I drew near…” for Viola and Piano (1984); The Tree for 9 Instruments (1984). VOCAL: Ubi sunti for Chorus and Brass Quartet (1964); Quid est musica? for Chamber Chorus and 12 Instruments (1972); 5 Romantic Songs for Medium Voice and Piano (1982); 3 Modern Parables for Chorus (1983); Epitaph for Chorus (1985).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire