Suter, Robert

Suter, Robert, Swiss composer and teacher; b. St. Gallen, Jan. 30, 1919. In 1937 he entered the Basel Cons., where he received instruction in piano from Paul Baum-gartner, in theory from Gustav Güldenstein, Walter Müller von Kulm, and Ernst Mohr, and in composition from Walther Geiser; later took private composition lessons with Wladimir Vogel (1956). He taught at the Bern Cons. (1945-50) and at the Basel Academy of Music (1950-84).

Works

dramatic: Konrad von Donnerstadt, musical fairy tale (1950; Basel, May 5, 1954); Der fremde Baron, musical comedy (1951; Basel, March 23, 1952). ORCH.: Kleines konzert for Piano and Chamber Orch. (St. Gallen, Nov. 17, 1948); Suite for Strings (Basel, Sept. 13, 1949); Petite suite (1953; Geneva, Dec. 8, 1956); Impromptu (1956; Basel, May 11, 1957); Variationssatz über Schnitter Tod (1958; Basel, Dec. 2, 1959); Lyrische Suite for Chamber Orch. (1959; Lugano, April 29, 1960); Fantasia for Clarinet, Harp, and Strings (Zürich, Oct. 6, 1965); Sonata (1967; Basel, Feb. 22, 1968); Epitaffio for Winds, Strings, and Percussion (Lucerne, Sept. 7, 1968); Trois nocturnes for Viola and Orch. (1968-69; Basel, March 19, 1970); Airs et Ritournelles for Percussion and Instrumental Group (1973; Basel, April 17, 1974); Jour de fête for Winds (Grenchen, Dec. 7, 1975); Musik (1975-76; Basel, May 25, 1977); Sinfonia facile (Basel, Aug. 26, 1977); Conversazioni concertanti for Saxophone, Vibraphone, and Strings (1978; Zürich, March 2, 1979); L’Art pour l’art (1979; Basel, June 6, 1980); Concerto Grosso (1984; Lugano, March 7, 1985); Mouvements for Winds (1985; Bern, April 3, 1986); Gruezi for Winds (Geneva, May 29, 1987); Capriccio, concerto for Marimba, Piano, and Orch. (1990-91). CHAMBER: 2 string quartets (1952, 1988); Flute Sonata (1954); Estampida for Percussion and 7 Instruments (1960); Serenata for 7 Instruments (1963-64); Fanfares et Pastorales for 2 Horns, Trumpet, and Trombone (1965); Pastorale d’hiver for 5 Instruments (1972); Sonata for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1975); Jeux à quatre for Saxophone Quartet (1976); Music for Brass (1980-81); Small Talk for Flute and Guitar (1984); Cérémonie for 6 Percussion (1984); Sextet for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and 2 Cellos (1987); Pulsation for Percussionist (1990); 5 Duos for Violin and Viola (1992); Musik for Cello and Piano (1995); Arie e danze for Oboe and Cymbal (1996); also piano works. VOCAL: Geisha-Lieder for Soprano, Chorus, and 6 Instruments (1943); Musikalisches Tagebuch No. 1 for Alto and 6 Instruments (1946), No. 2 for Baritone and 7 Instruments (1950), and No. 3 for Soprano, Tenor, and 10 Instruments (1998); Ballade von den Seeraeubern for Men’s Chorus and Instruments (1952); Jedem das Seine for Women’s Chorus (1955); Heilige Leier, sprich, sei meine Stimme, chamber cantata for Soprano, Flute, and Guitar (1960); Ballade von des Cortez Leuten for Speaker, Chorus, Speaking Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1960); Ein Blatt aus Sommerlichen Tagen for Women’s Chorus (1965-66); Die sollen loben den Namen des Herrn, motet (1971); Drei Geistliche Spruche (1971); ...aber auch lobet den Himmel for Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Men’s Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and Instrumental Ensemble (1976); Der abwesende Gott for Soprano, Tenor, Speaker, 2 Choruses, Speaking Chorus, and Orch. (1978); Marcia funebre for 3 Sopranos, Tape, and Orch. (1980-81; Zürich, Sept. 1982); Vergänglichkeit der Schoenheit for Countertenor, Tenor, Baritone, and 18 Baroque Instruments (1982-83); Bhalt du mi Allewyyl lieb for Children’s Chorus and Wind Ensemble (1986).

Bibliography

D. Larese and J. Wildberger, R. S.(Amriswil, 1967).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire