Alfred Uhl
Encyclopedia
Alfred Uhl was an Austria
n composer
, violist
, music teacher
and conductor
.
at the Vienna Music Academy, receiving a diploma in composition with honours in 1932. He subsequently worked as Kapellmeister
of the Swiss Festspielmusik in Zürich
. While there he composed scores for a variety of cultural and industrial films. He returned to Vienna
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, atonality
, serialism
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, one opera
, several choral works, and multiple symphonic and chamber music
pieces. He wrote extensively for the clarinet
, including educational material and works that are still common repertoire. His most famous educational pieces are the two volumes which comprise the 48 Studies (see below). 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, it is a very demanding 3-movement work structured similarly to a conventional concerto
.
, 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
and rhythmic complexity. Occasionally viewed as less musical and more technical than most studies, some clarinetists 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
, who made suggestions and revisions throughout the writing process.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, music teacher
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
.
Biography
Uhl studied with Franz SchmidtFranz Schmidt
Franz Schmidt was an Austrian composer, cellist and pianist of Hungarian descent and origin.- Life :Schmidt was born in Pozsony , in the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire . His father was half Hungarian and his mother entirely Hungarian...
at the Vienna Music Academy, receiving a diploma in composition with honours in 1932. He subsequently worked as Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister
Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making. The word is a compound, consisting of the roots Kapelle and Meister . The words Kapelle and Meister derive from the Latin: capella and magister...
of the Swiss Festspielmusik in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
. While there he composed scores for a variety of cultural and industrial films. He returned to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
in 1938 and in 1940 was drafted into the Austrian Army. From 1940 to 1942 he commanded a French prison camp in Neumarkt
Neumarkt
-Places:Austria*Neumarkt am Wallersee, in Salzburg*Neumarkt an der Raab, in Burgenland*Neumarkt an der Ybbs, in Lower Austria*Neumarkt im Hausruckkreis, in the Hausruckviertel, Upper Austria*Neumarkt im Mühlkreis, in the Mühlviertel, Upper Austria...
. 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
Alfred Prinz
Alfred Prinz is an Austrian composer, clarinetist, and music educator. In 1947 he was awarded a Gold Medal at the Geneva Music Competition and in 1971 he won a composition award from the city of Vienna. His compositional output includes 7 symphonies, many concertos, several works for solo piano,...
. 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, atonality
Atonality
Atonality in its broadest sense describes music that lacks a tonal center, or key. Atonality in this sense usually describes compositions written from about 1908 to the present day where a hierarchy of pitches focusing on a single, central tone is not used, and the notes of the chromatic scale...
, serialism
Serialism
In music, serialism is a method or technique of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements. Serialism began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, though his contemporaries were also working to establish serialism as one example of...
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, one opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, several choral works, and multiple symphonic and chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
pieces. He wrote extensively for the clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, including educational material and works that are still common repertoire. His most famous educational pieces are the two volumes which comprise the 48 Studies (see below). 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, it is a very demanding 3-movement work structured similarly to a conventional concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
.
48 Studies for clarinet
Two volumes of 24 studies each, first published in 1940 by Schott MusicSchott 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 currently the second oldest music publishing house. The company headquarters of Schott Music was founded by Bernhard Schott in Mainz, Germany in 1770.Established in...
, 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
Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic pitches and chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. Chromaticism is in contrast or addition to tonality or diatonicism...
and rhythmic complexity. Occasionally viewed as less musical and more technical than most studies, some clarinetists 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 Orchestra
The Vienna Philharmonic is an orchestra in Austria, regularly considered one of the finest in the world....
, who made suggestions and revisions throughout the writing process.
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 LingenTheo LingenTheo Lingen , born Franz Theodor Schmitz, was a German actor, director and screenwriter. He appeared in over 230 films between 1929 and 1978, and directed 21 films between 1936 and 1960.-Life and career:...
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 EichendorffJoseph Freiherr von EichendorffJoseph Freiherr von Eichendorff was a German poet and novelist of the later German romantic school.Eichendorff is regarded as one of the most important German Romantics and his works have sustained high popularity in Germany from production to the present day.-Life:Eichendorff was born at Schloß...
- 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 LenauNikolaus LenauNikolaus Lenau was the nom de plume of Nikolaus Franz Niembsch Edler von Strehlenau , was a German language Austrian poet.-Biography:...
- 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 WunderhornDes Knaben WunderhornDes Knaben Wunderhorn is a collection of German folk poems edited by Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano, and published in Heidelberg, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, between 1805 and 1808...
- 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 RingelnatzJoachim RingelnatzJoachim Ringelnatz is the pen name of the German author and painter Hans Bötticher. His pen name Ringelnatz is usually explained as a dialect expression for an animal, possibly a variant of Ringelnatter, German for Grass Snake...
- 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 BuschWilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch was an influential German caricaturist, painter, and poet who is famed for his satirical picture stories with rhymed texts....
, Christian MorgensternChristian MorgensternChristian Otto Josef Wolfgang Morgenstern was a German author and poet from Munich. Morgenstern married Margareta Gosebruch von Liechtenstern on March 7, 1910...
and Joachim RingelnatzJoachim RingelnatzJoachim Ringelnatz is the pen name of the German author and painter Hans Bötticher. His pen name Ringelnatz is usually explained as a dialect expression for an animal, possibly a variant of Ringelnatter, German for Grass Snake... - Die Zeit for male chorus and piano (1963); words by Christian MorgensternChristian MorgensternChristian Otto Josef Wolfgang Morgenstern was a German author and poet from Munich. Morgenstern married Margareta Gosebruch von Liechtenstern on March 7, 1910...
- Drei Bagatellen (3 Bagatelles) for mixed chorus a cappella (1970)
- Bumerang for male chorus a cappella (1970); words by Joachim RingelnatzJoachim RingelnatzJoachim Ringelnatz is the pen name of the German author and painter Hans Bötticher. His pen name Ringelnatz is usually explained as a dialect expression for an animal, possibly a variant of Ringelnatter, German for Grass Snake...
- 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
| Year | Original title | English title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Gebändigte Zeit (Schweizer Uhrenindustrie) | ||
| 1932 | Der Weg nach dem Süden | ||
| 1933 | Abessinienflug (Mittelholzer) | ||
| 1933 | Alpenflug (Mittelholzer) | ||
| 1933 | Appenzellerland | ||
| 1933 | Im Dienste des Alltags | ||
| 1933 | Mensch im Schnee | ||
| 1933 | Toggenburg | ||
| 1935 | Seldwyla | ||
| 1935 | Symphonie des Wassers | ||
| 1935 | Tessiner Bergbauern | ||
| 1935 | Tessiner Seen | ||
| 1936 | Frauennot - Frauenglück | ||
| 1936 | So lebt China | ||
| 1939 | Aus Rüstkammern deutscher Vergangenheit | ||
| 1939 | Fristlos entlassen | ||
| 1950 | Das gestohlene Jahr | ||
| 1951 | Schwindel im 3/4-Takt | ||
| 1952 | Frühlingsstimmen | Voices of Spring | directed by Hans Thimig Hans Thimig Hans Emil Thimig, pseudonym: Hans Werner was an Austrian actor, film director and stage director.- Life :... |
| 1953 | Der Verschwender | ||
| 1957 | Hochstätten des Geistes | ||
| 1957 | Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume | Vienna, City of My Dreams | directed by Willi Forst Willi Forst Willi Forst, born Wilhelm Anton Frohs was an Austrian actor, screenwriter, film director, film producer and singer... |
| 1959 | Panoptikum 59 |
Sources
- J.M. Hinson. The New Grove Dictionary of OperaNew Grove Dictionary of OperaThe New Grove Dictionary of Opera is an encyclopedia of opera, considered to be one of the best general reference sources on the subject. It is the largest work on opera in English, and in its printed form, amounts to 5,448 pages in four volumes....
, edited by Stanley Sadie (1992). ISBN 0-333-73432-7 and ISBN 1-56159-228-5