Swiss Composers 2

swissmusic

A recording with works by Swiss composers dating from the early classic period to the 20th century. It covers composers Gaspard Fritz, Aloys Fornerod, Richard Flury, Ernest Bloch and Caspar Diethelm. Interpretations by the Tschopp sisters (violinists Sybille and Mirjam; and pianist Isabel).

Gaspard Fritz (1716-1783)

Gaspard Fritz who was born and died in Geneva, was considered an important composer and violin pedagogue during his lifetime. Among his numerous compositions, Fritz wrote a number of violin sonatas wich are still compelling thanks to their freshness and originality.

His music, at the threshold between the Baroque and the early Classic is characterized by beautiful melodic writing, virtuosity, depth and diversity.

Aloys Fornerod (1890-1965).

Aloys Fornerod was born in Montet-Cudrefin (Canton Vaud). He studied violin and composition at the Lausanne Conservatory, then at the Schola Cantorum in Paris and at the Strasbourg Music Conservatory.

He was a violinist in the Lausanne Symphony Orchestra, choral conductor and music director at the Sacré-Coeur church in Ouchy.

Fornerod was also active as a teacher at the Conservatory and at the Ribaupierre Institute in Lausanne. He was director of the Fribourg Music Conservatory from 1954 until his death.

Ernest Bloch (1880-1959)

Ernest Bloch studied violin and composition with Louis Rey and Emile Jacques-Dalcroze in his home town of Geneva. Thereafter he studied in Brussels (violin with Eugène Ysaÿe), Frankfurt and Munich. In 1909 he was appointed conductor of the Lausanne Symphony Orchestra and in 1911 professor of composition at the Geneva Conservatory.

Bloch emigrated to the United States in 1916 and was granted citizenship in 1924, the year in wich he composed the “Poème mystique”. He taught at the David Mannes School of Music in New York, became director of the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio, and of the San Francisco Conservatory from 1925 to 1930.

From 1930 until 1939 he lived in central Europe, including a prolonged stay in his native Switzerland. In 1939 he returned for good to the United States, where he taught at the University of California in Berkeley until 1952.

Richard Flury (1896-1967)

Richard Flury lived and worked nearly all of his life in Solothurn.

He studied philosophy, art history and musicology in Basle, Berne, Geneva and Vienna with teachers such as Hans Huber, Joseph Lauber, Ernst Kurth and Josef Marx.

Flury directed the Zurich Academic Orchestra, the Berne Mixed Chorus and from 1920 on, the Solothurn City Orchestra. He was also a music and instrumental teacher at the Solothurn College.

Although Flury lived in the 20th century, he found his musical language in the sonorities of the late Romantic period. In addition to his works for chorus and orchestra, Flury also composed a good deal on instrumental and chamber music.

Caspar Diethelm (1926)

Born in Lucerne. He studied music theory and composition at the Lucerne Conservatory, where he recieved his diploma. Studies with Paul Hindemith and Arthur Honegger.

He has been a professor for music history, theory and chamber music at the Lucerne Conservatory since 1963 and is active as a composer, writer and conductor.

Diethelm’s musical language has been strongly influenced by his life-long contact with foreign cultures and religions, with meditation and with the relationship between music and the harmony of the spheres.

Sibylle Tschopp

Born in Zurich in 1971. Sibylle Tschopp made her debuts as a solo violinist when she was 14. At the age of 18 she performed the world premiere of “Menhir”, a composition written especially for her by Swiss composer Caspar Diethelm, at the International Music Festival in Lucerne. Concert diploma in 1992, soloist’s diploma in 1993.

Isabel Tschopp

Born in Zurich in 1968. She made her debuts as a solo pianist at the age of 17, and since then has played regularly in solo and chamber music concerts in Switzerland and abroad. Concert diploma in 1994.

Mirjam Tschopp

Born in Zurich in 1976. Violinist Mirjam Tschopp made her debut as a soloist at the age of 13. She has performed with renowed orchestras in Switzerland and abroad.

Production information

Swiss Composers 2. Sibylle, Mirjam & Isabel Tschopp (1995). Musica Helvetica MH CD 90.2. Executive producer for SRI: Christian Strickler.