Alfred Uhl (5 June 1909 – 8 June 1992) was an Austrian

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

, violist,

music teacher Music education is a field of practice in which educators are trained for careers as elementary or secondary music teachers, school or music conservatory ensemble directors. Music education is also a research area in which scholars do origina ...

and

conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Biology and medicine * Bone conduction, the conduction of sound to the inner ear * Conduction aphasia, a language disorder Mathematics * Conductor (ring theory) * Conductor of an abelian variety * Cond ...

Biography

Uhl was born in Vienna and studied with Franz Schmidt at the

Vienna Music Academy The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (, abbreviated MDW) is an Austrian university established in 1817 located in Vienna. With a student body of over three thousand, it is the largest institution of its kind in Austria, and one of t ...

, receiving a diploma in composition with honours in 1932. He subsequently worked as

Kapellmeister ( , , ), from German (chapel) and (master), literally "master of the chapel choir", designates the leader of an ensemble of musicians. Originally used to refer to somebody in charge of music in a chapel, the term has evolved considerably in i ...

of the

Swiss Festspielmusik Swiss most commonly refers to: * the adjectival form of Switzerland *Swiss people Swiss may also refer to: Places *Swiss, Missouri *Swiss, North Carolina *Swiss, West Virginia *Swiss, Wisconsin Other uses *Café culture of Baghdad#Swiss Café, S ...

Zürich Zurich (; ) is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. , the municipality had 448,664 inhabitants. The ...

. While there he composed scores for a variety of cultural and industrial

films A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of Visual arts, visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are gen ...

. He returned to

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

in 1938 and in 1940 was drafted into the Austrian Army. From 1940 to 1942 he commanded a French prison camp in Neumarkt. He joined the faculty of the Vienna Music Academy in 1945, where he taught theory, orchestration and composition until his retirement in 1980. One of his notable students was Alfred Prinz. He was the recipient of the Vienna Schubert Prize (1943), the Austrian State Prize (1960), the Vienna Music Prize (1961), the Viennese Gold Medal of Honour (1969) and the Austrian Badge of Honour for Service and Arts (1980). He also served as the president of the Austrian Gesellschaft der Autoren, Komponisten und Musikverleger (1970) and the Künstler-Union (1976). As a composer, Uhl synthesized elements from

neo-classicism Neoclassicism, also spelled Neo-classicism, emerged as a Western cultural movement in the decorative arts, decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiq ...

atonality Atonality in its broadest sense is music that lacks a tonal center, or key. ''Atonality'', in this sense, usually describes compositions written from about the early 20th-century to the present day, where a hierarchy of harmonies focusing on ...

serialism In music, serialism is a method of composition using series of pitches, rhythms, dynamics, timbres or other musical elements. Serialism began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, though some of his contemporaries were also ...

and traditional tonal and contrapuntal idioms. His vibrant style combined technical sophistication and musical charm with wit and humour, rhythmic inventiveness, thematic development and advanced harmonic language. He wrote eight

film scores A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental, or choral pieces called cues, which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to ...

, one

opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...

, several

choral A choir ( ), also known as a chorale or chorus (from Latin ''chorus'', meaning 'a dance in a circle') is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform or in other words ...

works, and multiple

symphonic A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning ...

and

chamber music Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of Musical instrument, instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a Great chamber, palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music ...

pieces. He wrote extensively for the

clarinet The clarinet is a Single-reed instrument, single-reed musical instrument in the woodwind family, with a nearly cylindrical bore (wind instruments), bore and a flared bell. Clarinets comprise a Family (musical instruments), family of instrume ...

, including educational material and works that are still common repertoire. His most famous educational pieces are the two volumes which comprise ''48 Studies''. His ''Divertimento for Three Clarinets and Bass Clarinet'' is one of the most performed works for the medium. Written in 1942 for clarinettists from the

Vienna Philharmonic Vienna Philharmonic (VPO; ) is an orchestra that was founded in 1842 and is considered to be one of the finest in the world. The Vienna Philharmonic is based at the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. Its members are selected from the orchestra of ...

, it is a demanding three-movement work structured similarly to a conventional

concerto A concerto (; plural ''concertos'', or ''concerti'' from the Italian plural) is, from the late Baroque era, mostly understood as an instrumental composition, written for one or more soloists accompanied by an orchestra or other ensemble. The ...

''48 Studies'' for clarinet

Two volumes of 24 studies each, first published in 1940 by

Schott Music Schott Music () is one of the oldest German music publishers. It is also one of the largest music publishing houses in Europe, and is the second-oldest music publisher after Breitkopf & Härtel. The company headquarters of Schott Music were foun ...

, were designed to familiarise the advancing clarinettist with some of the more difficult possibilities being written in modern instrumental music. This is stated by Uhl himself in a foreword to some, but not all editions. As such, they occasionally include intervals which require sliding over keys on the French system of clarinet, a technique that is generally frowned upon unless, as in these cases, it cannot be avoided. The studies are characterized by their extensive use of neo-romantic

chromaticism Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic scale, diatonic pitch (music), pitches and chord (music), chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. In simple terms, within each octave, diatonic music uses o ...

and rhythmic complexity. Occasionally viewed as less musical and more technical than most studies, some

clarinetist The clarinet is a single-reed musical instrument in the woodwind family, with a nearly cylindrical bore and a flared bell. Clarinets comprise a family of instruments of differing sizes and pitches. The clarinet family is the largest woodw ...

s consider it a second goal to bring out the musicality of each piece, which may be hidden behind technical complexities. Uhl was assisted by Leopold Wlach of the

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna Philharmonic (VPO; ) is an orchestra that was founded in 1842 and is considered to be one of the finest in the world. The Vienna Philharmonic is based at the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. Its members are selected from the orchestra of ...

, who made suggestions and revisions throughout the writing process.

Selected works

Stage

* ''Rondeau, Tänzerische Variationen nach Themen von Molière'', Ballet (1949) * ''Katzenmusik'', Ballet-Opera in 3 scenes (1959); libretto by Karl Friedrich Alys * ''Der mysteriöse Herr X'', Opera in a prelude and 3 acts (1962–1965); libretto by

Theo Lingen Theo Lingen (; 10 June 1903 – 10 November 1978), born Franz Theodor Schmitz, was a German actor, film director and screenwriter. He appeared in more than 230 films between 1929 and 1978, and directed 21 films between 1936 and 1960. Life and c ...

Orchestra

* ''Präludium'' (1929) * ''Lobgesang der Arbeit'', Symphonic Suite (1938) * ''Wiener Walzer'' (1939) *''Musik der Arbeit'' for small orchestra (1939) * ''7 Miniatures'' for chamber orchestra (1944) * ''4 Capricen von Musikanten, fahrenden Sängern, Gauklern und Komödianten'' (1944–1945) * ''Sonate für Orchester'' (1945) * ''Introduktion und Variationen über eine Melodie aus dem 16. Jahrhundert ("Es geht eine dunkle Wolk' herein ...")'' for string orchestra (1947) * ''Concerto a ballo'' (1966) * Sinfonietta (1977) * ''Drei Skizzen'' (3 Sketches) (1979–1980) * Concerto for chamber orchestra (1984)

Concertante

* ''Konzertante Sinfonie'' for clarinet and orchestra (1943); or for bassoon and orchestra (1987) * Concertino for violin and 22 wind instruments (1949, revised 1986) * ''Kleines Konzert'' for violin and orchestra (1963)

Chamber and instrumental music

* ''Andante'' for cello and organ (1923) * ''Andante'' for violin, cello and organ (or piano) (1923) * ''Stimmungsbild'' for viola and piano (1923) * String Trio (1923) * ''10 Divertimenti'' for viola and cello (1924) * ''Sarabande'' for violin and piano (1924) * ''Widmung'' (Dedication) for cello and piano (1924) * ''Norwegisches Küstenlied'' for violin, cello and piano (or organ) (1926) * ''Kleine Suite'' for violin, viola and guitar (1926–1930) * Piano Quartet in B minor (1927) * Trio for violin, viola and guitar (1928, 1982) * ''Wiener Weisen'' for violin, viola and guitar (1929) * Septet for clarinet, 3 violins, 2 violas and cello (1930) * Sonatina for cello and piano (1931) * ''Kleine Burleske'' for string quartet (1932) * ''Rondo'' for 2 violins (1935) * ''Kleines Konzert'' (Little Concerto) for clarinet, viola and piano (1937, revised 1988); also for violin, cello and piano (1972), or clarinet, alto saxophone and piano (1988) * Sonata for guitar (1937) * ''10 kleine Stücke'' for guitar (1937–1939) * ''48 Etüden'' for clarinet solo (1938) * ''Spielmusik'' for mandoline, violin, viola and cello (1938) * ''5 frohe Weisen für den Wr. Weihnachtsmarkt'' for 3 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons and 2 horns (1939) * ''Divertimento'' for 3 clarinets and bass clarinet (1942) * ''Eine vergnügliche Musik'' for 8 wind instruments (1944) * String Quartet No. 1 (1945–1946, 1969) * String Quartet No. 2 ''"Jubiläumsquartett"'' (1961) * ''4 Tanzstücke'' for string quartet, clarinet, bassoon and horn (1963–1964) * ''Humoreske'' for wind quintet (1965) * ''Eine vergnügliche Spielmusik'' for 3 violins and cello (1969) * ''Sonata classica'' for guitar (1969) * ''15 Etüden'' for bassoon solo (1970) * ''20 Etüden'' (intermediate to difficult) for viola solo (1971) * ''30 Etüden'' (easy to intermediate) for viola solo (1972) * ''Kleine Suite'' (from ''20 Etüden'') for viola solo (1973) * ''Drei Stücke'' (3 Pieces) for flute and guitar (1982) * ''Drei Tanzstücke'' (3 Dance Pieces) for wind octet (1985–1986) * ''Commedia musicale'' for clarinet, viola and piano (1982); also for 2 pianos (1987) * ''Scherzo Capriccioso'' for bassoon (or bass clarinet) and piano (1986); also for wind octet (1989) * ''Vier Stücke'' (4 Pieces) for wind quintet (1990–1991) * ''Konzert'' for bassoon and string quartet (1991–1992); original version: ''Kleines Konzert'' for clarinet, viola and piano (1937)

Piano

* ''Wiener Weisen'' (1922) * ''Musik zu einem Lustspiel'' (1925) * ''2. Tanzsuite'' (Dance Suite No. 2) (1927) * ''4 kleine Stücke'' (1974) * ''Drosser Musettewalzer'' (1979) * ''Commedia musicale'' for 2 pianos (1982, 1987); original version for clarinet, viola and piano

Vocal

* ''Vergänglichkeit'' for alto (mezzo-soprano) and piano (1922); words by J. M. Wunderlich * ''Marienlied'' for soprano and chamber ensemble (1924); words by J. M. Wunderlich * ''Abendlandschaft'' for soprano and piano (1924); words by

Joseph von Eichendorff Joseph is a common male name, derived from the Hebrew (). "Joseph" is used, along with " Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the modern-day Nordic count ...

* ''Mittagsruh'' for soprano and piano (1924); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Die Sperlinge'' for mezzo-soprano and piano (1924); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Bitte'' for voice and piano (1925); words by

Nikolaus Lenau Nikolaus Lenau was the pen name of Nikolaus Franz Niembsch Edler von Strehlenau (13 August 1802 – 22 August 1850), a German-language Austrian poet. Biography He was born at Csatád (Schadat), Kingdom of Hungary, now Lenauheim, Banat, then p ...

* ''Frische Fahrt'' for voice and piano (1925); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Gleichheit'' for soprano and piano (1925); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Wegweiser'' for soprano and piano (1925); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Im Walde'' for mezzo-soprano and piano (1926); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Lieblingsplätzchen'' for voice and piano (1926); words from '' Des Knaben Wunderhorn'' * ''Abschied'' for mezzo-soprano and piano (1927); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Buße'' for baritone and piano (1928) * ''Herbstweh'' for mezzo-soprano and piano (1929); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''Die Schnupftabaksdose'' for voice and piano (1935); words by

Joachim Ringelnatz Joachim Ringelnatz is the pen name of the German author and painter Hans Bötticher (7 August 1883 in Wurzen, Saxony – 17 November 1934 in Berlin). From 1894 to 1900 he lived with his family in the Gottschedstrasse 40 in Leipzig. Profile Hi ...

* ''Sehnsucht zurück'' for voice and piano (1935); words by Herbert Strutz * ''Mir ist ein schön's braun Maidelein'' for voice, violin, viola and cello (1946) * ''So ruhig geh ich meinen Pfad'' for voice and piano (1952); words by Joseph von Eichendorff * ''4 Lieder aus der Heiteren Kantate "Wer Einsam ist, der Hat es Gut"'' for soprano, viola and piano (1984)

Choral

* ''Messe in h-Moll'' (Mass in B minor) for soloists, chorus, orchestra and organ (1926–1927) * ''Gilgamesch'', Oratorical Music Drama for soloists, narrator, mixed chorus, children's chorus, orchestra and organ (1954–1955, revised 1967–1968) * ''Wer einsam ist, der hat es gut'', Cantata for soloists, mixed chorus and orchestra (1960, revised 1963); after poems of

Wilhelm Busch Heinrich Christian Wilhelm Busch (14 April 1832 – 9 January 1908) was a German humorist, poet, illustrator, and painter. He published wildly innovative illustrated tales that remain influential to this day. Busch drew on the tropes of f ...

Christian Morgenstern Christian Otto Josef Wolfgang Morgenstern (6 May 1871 – 31 March 1914) was a German writer and poet from Munich. Morgenstern married Margareta Gosebruch von Liechtenstern on 7 March 1910. He worked for a while as a journalist in Berlin ...

and

* ''Die Zeit'' for male chorus and piano (1963); words by

* ''Drei Bagatellen'' (3 Bagatelles) for mixed chorus a cappella (1970) * ''Bumerang'' for male chorus a cappella (1970); words by

* ''Tierischer Ernst'' for mixed chorus a cappella (1971); words by Heinrich Gattermeyer * ''So ruhig geh' ich meinen Pfad'' for mixed chorus a cappella (1971)

Film scores

Honours and awards

* State Prize for Music (1953) *

Grand Austrian State Prize The Grand Austrian State Prize () is a decoration given annually by Austria to an artist for exceptional work. The recipient must be an Austrian citizen with a permanent residence in Austria. It was originally created in 1950 by then education mi ...

for music (along with Theodor Berger) (1959) * City of Vienna Prize for music (1961) * Honorary Medal of the capital Vienna in gold (1969) * President of the AKM (Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers, 1970–75) *

Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class The Austrian Decoration for Science and Art () is a state decoration of the Republic of Austria and forms part of the Austrian national honours system. History The "Austrian Decoration for Science and Art" was established by the National C ...

(1980)

Sources

*J.M. Hinson. The ''

New Grove Dictionary of Opera ''The New Grove Dictionary of Opera'' is an encyclopedia of opera. It is the largest work on opera in English, and in its printed form, amounts to 5,448 pages in four volumes. The dictionary was first published in 1992 by Macmillan Reference, L ...

'', edited by Stanley Sadie (1992). and

References

External links

Alfred Uhl at Music Information Centre Austria
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Uhl, Alfred 1909 births 1992 deaths Musicians from Vienna Austrian opera composers Austrian male opera composers Austrian classical violists Austrian male conductors (music) Recipients of the Austrian State Prize Recipients of the Grand Austrian State Prize Recipients of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class 20th-century Austrian conductors (music) 20th-century Austrian male musicians 20th-century Austrian classical composers 20th-century violists