Wildgans, Friedrich

Wildgans, Friedrich, Austrian composer and teacher; b. Vienna, June 5, 1913; d. Modling, near Vienna, Nov. 7, 1965. He studied with J. Marx. He taught at the Salzburg Mozarteum (1934-36). In 1936 he became a clarinetist in the Vienna State Opera orch.; owing to his opposition to the Nazis, he lost his position in 1939 and remained suspect until the destruction of the Third Reich. He then was a teacher (1945-47; 1950-57) and a prof. (1957-65) at the Vienna Academy of Music. In 1946 he married Ilona Steingruber. He publ. Entwicklung der Musik in Österreich im 20. Jahrhundert (Vienna, 1950) and Anton Webern (London, 1966). He wrote in all genres, in an ultramodern style, eventually adopting the 12-tone technique.

Works

dramatic: Der Baum der Erkenntniss, opera (1932); Der Diktator, operetta (1933); theater, film, and radio scores. ORCH.: Griechischer Frühling (1926-27); Little Symphony for Chamber Orch. (1929); Mondnächte (1932); Concerto for Trumpet, Strings, and Percussion (1933); 2 concertos for Clarinet and Small Orch. (1933, 1948); Concerto for Horn and Chamber Orch. (1934); Concerto for Organ, Brass, and Percussion (1934); Sinfonia austriaca (1934); Laienmusik (1941). CHAMBER: Flute Sonata (1926); Horn Sonatine (1927); Little Trio for Strings (1929); Little Trio for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1930); Little Duo for 2 Violins (1930); Sonatine for Clarinet and Bassoon (1930); Sonatine for 2 Clarinets (1931); Little Trio for Oboe, English Horn, and Bassoon (1932); Capriccio for 2 Clarinets and Bass Clarinet (1932); Little Sonatine for Trumpet and Piano (1933); 3 Inventions for Clarinet and Horn (1935); Spielmusik for Recorders (1935); Salzburger Hornmusik (1935); Kleine Trompetenmusik (1935); Kleine Haus- und Spielmusik for Flute, Violin, and Viola (1935); Duo-Sonatine for Violin and Cello (1942); Clarinet Sonatine (1950). KEYBOARD: Piano:2 sonatas (1926, 1929). Organ: Concerto (1930). VOCAL: Choral pieces; Heder.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire