Staempfli, Edward

Staempfli, Edward, Swiss composer, pianist, and conductor; b. Bern, Feb. 1, 1908. He received training in composition from Jarnach and Maler in Cologne (1929–30) and Dukas in Paris (1930), and in conducting from Scherchen in Brussels (1935). After living in Paris (1930–39), he returned to Switzerland. He went to Heidelberg in 1951 before settling in Berlin in 1954. He made occasional appearances as a pianist and conductor, usually in hs own works. His early music reflected his Parisian sojourn, but later he embraced 12-tone writing.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: Ein Traumspiel (1943); Medea (1954); Caligula (1981–82). Ballet: Several works. ORCH.: 4 piano concertos (1932, 1933, 1954, 1963); 4 violin concertos (1936, 1939, 1941, 1990); 6 syms. (1938–88); Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orch. (1940); Praeludim und Variationen über ein Tessiner Volkslied (1945); Mouvements concertantes (1947); Epitaphe pour Paul Eluard (1954); Fantasie for Strings (1955); Strophen (1958); 5 Nachstücke (1961); Musik for 16 Strings (1968); Tripartita for 3 Pianos and 23 Winds (1969); Satze und Gegensatze for Vibraphone, Piano, Percussion, and 15 Strings (1972); Concerto for Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and Orch. (1984); Helles Licht und spate Schatten (1988); Cello Concerto (1991); Ornamente III (1992). CHAMBER: 6 string quartets (1926–62); Quartet for Flute and String Trio (1932); 2 piano trios (1932, 1956); Wind Quintet (1934); 2 string trios (1937, 1984); Wind Trio (1949); Ornamente I for 2 Flutes, Celesta, and Percussion (1960) and III for Oboe, Saxophone, Marimbaphone, Percussion, and Harp (1983); Trio for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano (1985); Duo for Alto Flute and Cello (1987); Quintet for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1988); Vihy not?, quartet for Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Vibraphone, and Piano (1990); Quintet for 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1992); piano pieces. VOCAL: Oratorios; cantatas; choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire