Schmid, Erich

Schmid, Erich, Swiss conductor and composer; b. Baisthal, Jan. 1, 1907. He began his studies at the Solothurn teachers training college. Following musical instruction from Max Kaempfert and Hermann Suter, he pursued his training at the Hoch Cons. in Frankfurt am Main (1928–30) and won the Frankfurt an Main Mozart Prize. In 1930–31 he completed his studies with Schoenberg at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin. After appearing with the Hessian Radio in Frankfurt am Main (1931–33), he was music director in Glarus (1934–49). From 1949 to 1957 he was chief conductor of the Zürich Tonhalle Orch., and from 1949 to 1975 was conductor of the Gemischter Chor in Zürich. He was chief conductor of the Beromünster Radio Orch. in Zürich from 1957 to 1970. As a guest conductor, he appeared with various European orchs. From 1978 to 1984 he was principal guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Sym. Orch. Schmid was esteemed for his championship of modern music.

Works

ORCH .: 3 Stücke (1930); Suite No. 1 for Wind Orch. and Percussion (1931). CHAMBER : 2 sonatinas: No. 1 for Piano and Violin (1929) and No. 2, Zwei Sätze, for Violin and Piano (1932–34); String Quartet (1930–31); Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1931); Notturno for Bass Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1935); Rhapsodie for Clarinet and Piano (1936); Mura, trio for Flute, Violin, and Cello (1955). Piano: 6 Stücke (1932); Widmungen (1933–35); 5 Bagatellen (1943). VOCAL : Suite for Mezzosoprano and Chamber Orch. (1929–36); 4 choruses (1930–40); 3 songs (1938–41).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire