Moret, Norbert

Moret, Norbert, Swiss composer and teacher; b. Ménières, Nov. 20, 1921; d. Fribourg, Nov. 17, 1998. He received training in piano and theory at the Fribourg Cons. before pursuing training with Messiaen, Honegger, and Leibowitz in Paris (1948–50) and with Furtwängler in Vienna (1950–51). From 1965 to 1982 he was a prof. of instrumental music at the Teacher’s Training Coll. in Fribourg. Moret turned to full-time composition late in life, but his music gained almost immediate international attention. His Violin Concerto and Cello Concerto were commissioned and premiered by, respectively, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Mstislav Rostropovich.

Works

dramatic: opera:Visitations (1981–82). orch.:Hymne de silence for Organ, Percussion, and Orch. (1977); Suite à l’image for 2 String Orchs. (1978); Double Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Orch. (1981); Tragiques (1982–83); Triple Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Harp, and Strings (1984); Cello Concerto (1985); Mille et un soleils de joie for Chamber Orch. (1986); En rêve, concerto for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1988); Trois pièces for Chamber Orch. (1988); Symphonies pour une fête académique (1989); Divertimento for Oboe, Horn, Cello, Percussion, and Strings (1991–92); Sensations, concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orch. (1994); Horn Concerto (1995); Concerto No. 1 for Organ and Orch. (1996). chamber:Sacher Serenade for Vibraphone, Clarinet, and 2 Organs (1982); Sur le berceau d’un Chérubin for Violin and Harp (1992); Forêt enchantée for Cello (1993). vocal:Germes en éveil for Soprano, Chorus, Flute, and Percussion (1973); Cinq pièces for Soprano, Piano, and Brass (1976); Temps for Baritone and Strings (1978); 2 Love Poems for Soprano, Cello, and Orch., after Whitman (1978–79); Mendiant de ciel bleu for Baritone, Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1980); Ave-Maria for Tenor and Organ (1984); Diotimas Liebeslieder for Soprano and Orch. (1986–87); Deux mélodies for Baritone and Piano (1992–93).

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire