Vivier, Claude

Vivier, Claude, Canadian composer; b. Montreal, April 14, 1948; d. (murdered) Paris, March 7, 1983. He studied with Tremblay (composition) and Heller (piano) at the Montreal Cons. (1967-71). From 1971 he lived in Europe on a Canada Council grant, where he studied with Koenig at the Inst. of Sonology at the Univ. of Utrecht, with Stockhausen and Humpert in Germany, and with Méfano in France. His love for the music of the Orient prompted him to tour that region in 1977, where he spent much time on the island of Bali. In 1981 the Canada Music Council named him its composer of the year. In 1982 he went to Paris on another Council grant, where he was brutally murdered by a chance acquaintance. In 1983 Les Amis de Claude Vivier was organized in Montreal to champion his compositions and writings. Vivier developed a thoroughly individual compositional style in which simplicity became its hallmark. In some of his vocal works, he created texts based on his own invented language.

Works

dramatic: Love Songs,ballet (1977); Nanti malam,ballet (1977); Kopernicus,opera (Montreal, May 8, 1980). ORCH.: Siddhartha (1976); Orion (1979); Zipangufor Strings (1980). CHAMBER: String Quartet (1968); Proliférationfor Ondes Martenot, Piano, and Percussion (1968; rev. 1976); Deva et Asurafor Chamber Ensemble (1972); Désintégrationfor 2 Pianos, 4 Violins, and 2 Violas (1972); Improvisationfor Bassoon and Piano (1975); Piècefor Flute and Piano (1975); Piècefor Cello and Piano (1975); Piècefor Violin and Piano (1975); Pour guitare (1975); Pour Violin et Clarinet (1975); Learningfor 4 Violins and Percussion (1976); Pulau Dewatafor Percussion Ensemble or Instrumental Ensemble (1977); Paramirabofor Flute, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1978); Cinq Chansonsfor Percussion (1980); Et je reverrai cette ville étrangefor Trumpet, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Piano, and Percussion (1981); Samarkindfor Wind Quintet (1981). KEYBOARD: Piano: Pianoforte (1975); Shiraz (1977). O r g a n : Les Communiantes (1977). VOCAL: Ojikawafor Soprano, Clarinet, and Percussion (1968); Hiérophaniefor Soprano, 2 Percussion, and Winds (1971); Musik für das Endefor 20 Voices and Percussion (1971); Chantsfor 7 Women’s Voices (1973); Ol Kosmosfor Chorus (1974); Jesus erbarme Dichfor Chorus (1974); Lettura di Dantefor Soprano, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet, Trombone, Viola, and Percussion (1974); Hymnen an die Nachtfor Soprano and Piano (1975); Liebesgedichtefor Vocal Quartet and Winds (1976); Journalfor 4 Voices, Chorus, and Percussion (1977); Lonely Childfor Soprano and Orch. (1980); Prologue pour un Marco Polofor 5 Voices, Speaker, Percussion, 6 Clarinets, and Strings (1981); Boucharafor Soprano, Wind Quintet, String Quintet, and Percussion (1981); Wo bist du Licht!for Mezzo-soprano, Percussion, 20 Strings, and Tape (1981); Trois airs pour un opéra imaginairefor Soprano, Bass, Piccolo, 2 Clarinets, Horn, Strings, and Percussion (1982); Crois-tu en l’immortalité de l’âmefor Chorus, 3 Synthesizers, and 2 Percussion (1983).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire