Korn, Peter Jona

Korn, Peter Jona, German composer, conductor, and pedagogue; b. Berlin, March 30, 1922; d. Munich, Jan. 14, 1998. He studied at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik (1932–33), with Rubbra in London (1934–36), Wolpe at the Jerusalem Cons. (1936–38), Schoenberg at the Univ. of Calif, at Los Angeles (1941–2), and Eisler and Toch at the Univ. of Southern Calif, in Los Angeles (1946–47); also studied film composition with Dahl and Rozsa. He was founder-conductor of the New Orch. of Los Angeles (1948–56), and then taught at the Univ. of Calif, at Los Angeles (1964–65). Returning to Germany, he was director of Munich’s Richard Strauss Konservatorium from 1967 to 1987. He publ. a book of essays, Musikalische Unweit Verschmutzung (Wiesbaden, 1975). His compositional style was a pragmatic Romanticism marked by polycentric tonality in the framework of strong rhythmic counterpoint.

Works

dramatic:Opera: Heidi in Frankfurt (Das fremde Haus), after Johanna Spyri (1961-63; Saarbrücken, Nov. 28, 1978). ORCH.: 4 syms.: No. 1 (1941-46; rev. 1956 and 1977), No. 2 (1950–51), No. 3 (1956; rev. 1969), and No. 4, Ahasver (1989–90); Idyllwild, overture (1947; rev. 1957); Tom Paine Overture (1949–50); Rhapsody for Oboe and Strings (1951); Concertino for Horn and Double String Orch. (1952); In medias res, overture (1953); Variations on a Theme from The Beggar’s Opera (1954-55; Louisville, Oct. 1, 1955); Saxophone Concerto (1956; rev. 1982); Violin Concerto (1964–65); Toccata (1966); Exorcism of a Liszt Fragment (1966–68); Serenade for 12 Strings (1968); 4 Pieces for Strings (1970); Eine Kleine Popmusik (1972); Morgenmusik for Trumpet and Strings (1973); Overture for Strings (1976); Beckmesser Variations (1977); Trumpet Concerto (1979); Romanza concertante for Oboe and Small Orch. (1987); Concerto classico for Harpsichord and Orch. (1988). Concert Band: Salute to the Lone Wolves, sym. (1980). CHAMBER: Cello Sonata (1948–49); Oboe Sonata (1949); 2 string quartets (1949-50; 1963); Passacaglia and Fugue for 8 Horns (1952); Horn Sonata (1952); Aloysia Serenade for Flute, Viola, and Cello (1953); Prelude and Scherzo for Brass Quintet (1953); Phantasy for Horn, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1955); Serenade for 4 Horns (1957); Quintettino for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Cello, and Piano (1964); Wind Quintet (1966); Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1975); Wind Octet (1976); Duo for Viola and Piano (1978); Fantasia for Oboe and Organ (1981); piano pieces; organ works. VOCAL: Eine Kleine Deutsche Stadt, cantata for Tenor, Harpsichord, and Orch. (1980–81); Psalm of Courage, cantata for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1983); songs.

Bibliography

N. Düchtel et al., P. J. K.(Tutzing, 1989).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire