Müller-Zürich (real name, Müller), Paul

Müller-Zürich (real name, Müller), Paul, esteemed Swiss conductor and composer; b. Zürich, June 19, 1898; d. Lucerne, July 21, 1993. He studied with Andreae and Jarnach at the Zürich Cons. (1917–19) and in Paris and Berlin, then taught in Zürich at the Cons. (1927–69) and at the Univ. (1959–70). He was active as a choral and sym. conductor, serving as director of the Elisabeth Schmid Choir (1931–39), the Lucerne Chamber Orch. (1948–55), and other ensembles. His music evolved from early Romantic influences to reflect neo-Baroque practices in a contemporary, tonal style.

Works

orch.: 4 syms.:Little Symphony (1920), Sym. for Strings (1944), Sym. (1947), and Sym. for Flute and Strings (1952); Little Serenade for Chamber Orch. (1921); Hymnus (1927); Concerto for Viola and Small Orch. (1934); 2 violin concertos: No. 1 for Violin and Small Orch. (1935) and No. 2 (1957); Concerto for Organ and Strings (1938); Cello Concerto (1954); Sinfonischer Prolog (1955); Sinfonische Suite (1956–57); Concerto for 2 Violins, Harpsichord, and Strings (1958); Sinfonietta (1964); Sonata for Strings (1967–68); Consenso, suite (1974). chamber: String Quintet (1919); 2 string quartets (1921, 1960); 3 violin sonatas (1922, 1941, 1952); Marienleben for 10 Instruments (1928); Präludium, Arie und Fuge for Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, and String Quintet (1933); Petite sonate for Clarinet and Piano (1942); Fantasie und Fugue for Violin and Organ (1949); String Trio (1950); Canzone for String Quartet (1961); Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano (1965–66); Sonata for Solo Viola (1979); Fantasie for Oboe and Organ (1980); Serenata turicensis for Basset Horn, Viola, and Cello (1981); organ music. other: Dramatic works; choral music; songs.

Bibliography

F. Jakob, P. M.: Biographie und Werkverzeichnis (Zürich, 1963).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire