Rechberger, Herman(n)

Rechberger, Herman(n ), Austrian-born Finnish recorder player, conductor, and composer; b. Linz, Feb. 14, 1947. He studied classical guitar at the Bruckner Cons. in Linz, and after further training in Zürich and at the Brussels Cons., he settled in Finland in 1970 and became a naturalized citizen (1974). He took courses with Osmo Lindeman (electronic music), Olli Ruottinen (recorder; teacher’s diploma, 1973), Ivan Putilin (guitar; teacher’s diploma, 1973), and Aulis Sallinen (composition; diploma, 1976) at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (1971–77), where he also received instruction in piano, violin, and oboe. He was active as a music teacher (1975–79), then was a producer of contemporary music for and director of the electronic music studio at the Finnish Radio (1979–84). He toured widely as a recorder player, and also appeared as a conductor. In his own music, he employs the full arsenal of contemporary resources, experimenting in multimedia spectacles, with ample use of electronics.

Works

DRAMATIC : Multimedia and Radiophonie : Naula (The Nail) for Bass-baritone, Actors, Dancers, Slide Projection, and Instruments (1975–76); Pekka Mikkosen nousu (The Rise of lonathan Smith), radiophonie piece for Narrator, Piano, Various Sound Sources, and Non-conventional Instruments (1976–78); Tree-O for Stage Equipment, Slide Projection, 3 Actors, and Lute (1976); Pubiko concertante for 6 to 30 Different Instruments, Audience, and Slides (1977); Zin Kibaru, multimedia piece for Young Performers (1977); …i$mo, multimedia piece for Sound Objects, Actor, Slide Projectors, Light Organ, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Videotape, and Kinetic Wall (1982); Magnus Cordius—Entries in a Diary, radiophonie piece for Actors, Orch., Chorus, Early Instruments, Vocal Ensemble, and Tapes (1985); Die Nonnen (The Nuns), chamber opera (1987). Other : Music for plays and television. ORCH.: Concerto for Guitar and Strings (1971); Kaamos for Strings and Timpani (1973); Music for Underdeveloped Film (1973); Loitsut (Charms) for High Soprano and Chamber Orch. (1974); La macchina capricciosa for Double Bassoon, Chamber Orch., and Optional Slides (1974–75); Consort Music 1 for Recorders, Chamber Orch., and Tape (1974–76), 2 for Renaissance Instruments and Chamber Orch. (1977), and 5 (1985–86); Himojen Puutarha (The Garden of Delights; 1976–77); Venezia, visioni per grande Orch.estra, diversi soli e nastro (1985). CHAMBER : Ylistyslaulu höyryveturille (Ode to a Steam Locomotive) for Flute, Clarinet, Viola, and Cello (1971); Mayenzeit one neidt for Flute, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Metronome, and Live Electronics (1974); Meccanismo for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Metronomes (1978); Fragebogen for Double Bassoon and Pedal Sounds (1979); Consort Music 3 for 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, and Tuba (1980–81); Almost 4 Seasons for String Quartet (1981); Consort on an Egg for Renaissance Instruments (1985); NCG 7293 for 2 to 4 Instrumentalists (1986); tympanon for 2X5 Tambourins and Cowbells (1987); Works for solo instruments. OTHER : Choral music; pieces for solo tape and for tape and instruments; text scores; musical graphics.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire