Schweinitz, Wolfgang von

Schweinitz, Wolfgang von, German composer; b. Hamburg, Feb. 7, 1953. After studies with Esther Ballou at the American Univ. in Washington, D.C. (1968–69), he pursued his training with Ernst Klussmann (1971–73) and György Ligeti (1973–75) at the Hamburg Hochschule für Musik. In 1975–76 he worked at the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics at Stanford Univ. in Calif. He was a resident at the German Academy in Rome in 1978–79. In 1986 he won the first annual Schneider-Schott prize for young German composers. In 1988 he received the Plöner Hindemith- Preis. Schweinitz established his name as a composer with his song cycle Papiersterne (1980–81), which premiered at the Berlin Festival on Sept. 22, 1981. His most ambitious score is the “azione musicale” Patmos (1986–89), a complete setting of the book of Revelation. It was first performed in Munich on April 28, 1990.

Works

DRAMATIC: Patmos, “azione musicale” (1986–89; Munich, April 28, 1990). ORCH .: 2 syms. (1973, 1974); Mozart-Variationen (1976); Piano Concerto (1979); Konzertouvertüre (1979–80; Darmstadt, July 5, 1980); …wir aber singen, symphonic cycle for Cello and Orch. (I, Kiel, Sept. 6, 1992; II, Hagen, Sept. 5, 1995; III, 1996). CHAMBER : String Quartet (1977); Adagio for English Horn, Basset Horn, Horn, and Bassoon (1983); Englische Serenade for 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons, and 2 Horns (1984; Hamburg, March 27, 1985); Musik for 4 Saxophones (1985; Witten, April 27, 1986); Morgenlied for Flute (1990); Franz [Schubert] and Morton [Feldman] Singing Together in Harmony (With the Lord Himself Enjoying His Bells, 12 stanzas for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1993–94). keyboard: Piano : 3 Etudien (1983–84; Hamburg, Feb. 24, 1984). Organ : 7 Patmos Souvenirs (1990). VOCAL : Die Brücke for Tenor, Baritone, and Small Orch. (1978); Papiersterne, song cycle for Mezzo-soprano and Piano (1980–81; Berlin, Sept. 22, 1981); Mass for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1981–83; Berlin, July 8, 1984); 6 Alte Lieder for Children’s Chorus, 2 Soprano Recorders, 2 Alto Recorders, 2 Trumpets, and Percussion (1984).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire