Giselher Klebe
Encyclopedia
Giselher Wolfgang Klebe (28 June 19255 October 2009) was a German composer
. He composed more than 140 works, among them 14 opera
s, 8 symphonies
, 15 solo concerts, chamber music
, piano
works, and sacred music.
, Germany. He received musical tuition early in his life from his mother, the violinist Gertrud Klebe. The family relocated in 1932 to Munich, where his mother's sister, Melanie Michaelis, continued the training. His father's profession required a further relocation in 1936 to Rostock.
Following the separation of his parents, Klebe moved with his mother and sister to Berlin. During 1938, the 13-year old sketched his first compositions. In 1940, he began studies in violin
, viola
, and composition
, supported by a grant from the city of Berlin.
After serving his Reichsarbeitsdienst
(Labour Service), Klebe was conscripted to military service as signalman
. After the German surrender, he was taken prisoner of war by the Russian forces. Due to ill health, he was soon released.
Having convalesced, Klebe continued his music studies in Berlin (1946–1951), first under Joseph Rufer, then in master class
es by Boris Blacher. He worked for the radio station Berliner Rundfunk
until 1948, when he began to work full-time as a composer.
Klebe was inspired and influenced by works of authors and artists, especially his contemporaries. In 1951 he composed Die Zwitschermaschine Op. 7, (The Twittering Machine), based on the well-known painting
by Paul Klee
. His first opera, based on Friedrich Schiller
's play Die Räuber (The Robbers), was produced in 1957. He composed two operas based on plays by Ödön von Horváth
.
In 1957, Klebe succeeded Wolfgang Fortner
as docent
for the subjects of Composition and Music Theory
at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold
. He was appointed professor
in 1962 and, over the years, taught many students who went on to become well-known composers: Theo Brandmüller, Peter Michael Braun, Hans Martin Corrinth, Thomas Meyer-Fiebig, Matthias Pintscher
, and Lars Woldt.
s for some of his operas, including Der Jüngste Tag
(Doomsday).
Klebel died on 5 October 2009 in Detmold at the age of 84 after a long illness from liver cancer
.
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...
. He composed more than 140 works, among them 14 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...
s, 8 symphonies
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
, 15 solo concerts, 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...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
works, and sacred music.
Biography
Giselher Klebe was born in MannheimMannheim
Mannheim is a city in southwestern Germany. With about 315,000 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second-largest city in the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg, following the capital city of Stuttgart....
, Germany. He received musical tuition early in his life from his mother, the violinist Gertrud Klebe. The family relocated in 1932 to Munich, where his mother's sister, Melanie Michaelis, continued the training. His father's profession required a further relocation in 1936 to Rostock.
Following the separation of his parents, Klebe moved with his mother and sister to Berlin. During 1938, the 13-year old sketched his first compositions. In 1940, he began studies in violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, viola
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...
, and composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
, supported by a grant from the city of Berlin.
After serving his Reichsarbeitsdienst
Reichsarbeitsdienst
The Reichsarbeitsdienst was an institution established by Nazi Germany as an agency to reduce unemployment, similar to the relief programs in other countries. During the Second World War it was an auxiliary formation which provided support for the Wehrmacht.The RAD was formed during July 1934 as...
(Labour Service), Klebe was conscripted to military service as signalman
Signalman (rank)
Signalman was a U.S. Navy rating for sailors that specialized in visual communication. See Signaller for more about the roles of Signalmen.-U.S. Navy:A signal lamp is a visual signaling device for optical communication...
. After the German surrender, he was taken prisoner of war by the Russian forces. Due to ill health, he was soon released.
Having convalesced, Klebe continued his music studies in Berlin (1946–1951), first under Joseph Rufer, then in master class
Master class
A master class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, or any of the arts....
es by Boris Blacher. He worked for the radio station Berliner Rundfunk
Berliner Rundfunk
The Berliner Rundfunk was a radio program set in East Germany. It had a political focus and discussed events in East Berlin. Today it is a commercial radio station broadcast with the name "Berlin Rundfunk 91.4".- History :...
until 1948, when he began to work full-time as a composer.
Klebe was inspired and influenced by works of authors and artists, especially his contemporaries. In 1951 he composed Die Zwitschermaschine Op. 7, (The Twittering Machine), based on the well-known painting
Twittering Machine
Twittering Machine is a 1922 watercolor and pen and ink oil transfer on paper by Swiss-German painter Paul Klee. Like other artworks by Klee, it blends biology and machinery, depicting a loosely sketched group of birds on a wire or branch connected to a hand-crank...
by Paul Klee
Paul Klee
Paul Klee was born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, and is considered both a German and a Swiss painter. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He was, as well, a student of orientalism...
. His first opera, based on Friedrich Schiller
Friedrich Schiller
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life , Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...
's play Die Räuber (The Robbers), was produced in 1957. He composed two operas based on plays by Ödön von Horváth
Ödön von Horváth
Edmund Josef von Horváth was a German-writing Austro-Hungarian-born playwright and novelist...
.
In 1957, Klebe succeeded Wolfgang Fortner
Wolfgang Fortner
Wolfgang Fortner was a German composer, composition teacher and conductor.-Life:Fortner was born in Leipzig. From his parents - both singers - Fortner very early on had intense contact with music...
as docent
Docent
Docent is a title at some European universities to denote a specific academic appointment within a set structure of academic ranks below professor . Docent is also used at some universities generically for a person who has the right to teach...
for the subjects of Composition and Music Theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
at the Hochschule für Musik Detmold
Hochschule für Musik Detmold
The University of Music Detmold is one of Germany's leading university-level schools of music, situated in Detmold, Germany.- Academics :...
. He was appointed professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in 1962 and, over the years, taught many students who went on to become well-known composers: Theo Brandmüller, Peter Michael Braun, Hans Martin Corrinth, Thomas Meyer-Fiebig, Matthias Pintscher
Matthias Pintscher
Matthias Pintscher is a German composer and conductor. As a youth, he studied the violin and conducting....
, and Lars Woldt.
Honors and legacy
- In 1964 Klebe was appointed member of the West Berlin Akademie der KünsteAkademie der KünsteThe Akademie der Künste, Berlin is an arts institution in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1696 by Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg as the Prussian Academy of Arts, an academic institution where members could meet and discuss and share ideas...
(Arts Academy). - In 1965 he received the Westfälischer Musikpreis (later named the Hans-Werner-Henze-PreisHans Werner HenzeHans Werner Henze is a German composer of prodigious output best known for "his consistent cultivation of music for the theatre throughout his life"...
). - In 2002, the city of DetmoldDetmoldDetmold is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, with a population of about 74,000. It was the capital of the small Principality of Lippe from 1468 until 1918 and then of the Free State of Lippe until 1947...
, where he lived, made him an honorary citizen.
Marriage and family
On 10 September 1946 Klebe married the violinist Lore Schiller. They have two daughters, Sonja Katharina and Annette Marianne. Lore Klebe wrote the librettoLibretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
s for some of his operas, including Der Jüngste Tag
Der Jüngste Tag
Der Jüngste Tag, op.82, is an opera in three acts composed by Giselher Klebe. His wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on the play of the same name by Ödön von Horváth.The opera premiered in 1980 in Mannheim, Germany....
(Doomsday).
Klebel died on 5 October 2009 in Detmold at the age of 84 after a long illness from liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
.
Works
| Opus | Title | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Piano sonata | Piano sonata |
| 7 | Die Zwitschermaschine | Orchestral work |
| 13 | Wiegenlieder für Christinchen | Piano work |
| 22 | Elegia appassionata | Piano trio |
| 25 | Die Räuber Die Räuber (opera) Die Räuber, op.25, is an opera in four acts by Giselher Klebe who also wrote the libretto based on the play by Friedrich Schiller.... (The Robbers) |
Opera |
| 26 | 4 Inventions | Piano work |
| 27 | Die tödlichen Wünsche Die tödlichen Wünsche Die tödlichen Wünsche, op.27, is an opera by Giselher Klebe who also wrote the libretto based on La peau de chagrin by Honoré de Balzac. It consists of fifteen lyrical scenes in three acts.... (The Deadly Wishes) |
Opera |
| 29 | Cello Concerto No. 1 | Cello concerto |
| 32 | Die Ermordung Cäsars Die Ermordung Cäsars Die Ermordung Cäsars, op.32, is an opera in one act by Giselher Klebe who also wrote the libretto based on the Shakespeare translation by August Wilhelm von Schlegel.It premiered on 20 September 1959 at the Stadttheater Essen... (The Murder of Caesar) |
Opera |
| 36 | Alkmene Alkmene (opera) Alkmene, op. 36, is an opera in three acts, with music and libretto by Giselher Klebe. Klebe based the libretto on Amphitryon by Heinrich von Kleist, which in turn was based on Molière's play of the same name... |
Opera |
| 37 | Adagio and Fugue with a motif from Richard Wagner Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas... 's Walküre Die Walküre Die Walküre , WWV 86B, is the second of the four operas that form the cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen , by Richard Wagner... |
Orchestral work |
| 39 | 9 Duettini per pianoforte e flauto | Duo |
| 40 | Figaro lässt sich scheiden Figaro lässt sich scheiden Figaro lässt sich scheiden, op.40, is an opera in two acts by Giselher Klebe based on the comedy of the same name by Ödön von Horváth. Klebe also wrote the libretto for this work.... (Figaro Gets Divorced) |
Opera |
| 49 | Jacobowsky und der Oberst Jacobowsky und der Oberst (opera) Jacobowsky und der Oberst, Op. 49, is an opera in four acts by Giselher Klebe who also wrote the libretto based on the 1944 play of the same name by Franz Werfel.... (Jacobovsky and the Colonel) |
Opera |
| 50 | Concerto a cinque | Concerto |
| 53 | Symphony No. 3 (1966) | Symphony |
| 55 | Das Märchen von der schönen Lilie Das Märchen von der schönen Lilie Das Märchen von der schönen Lilie, Op. 55, is an opera in two acts by Giselher Klebe; his wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on the fairy tale, Das Märchen, part of the novella Unterhaltungen deutscher Ausgewanderten by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.It premiered on 15 May 1969 at the... (The Fairy Tale of the Fair Lily) |
Opera |
| 61 | Das Testament | Orchestral work |
| 69 | Ein wahrer Held Ein wahrer Held Ein wahrer Held , Op. 69, is an opera in three acts by Giselher Klebe who with his wife, Lore Klebe, also wrote the libretto based on the play The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge.... (A True Hero) |
Opera |
| 70 | Nenia | Chamber music |
| 72 | Das Mädchen aus Domrémy Das Mädchen aus Domrémy Das Mädchen aus Domrémy, Op. 72, is an opera in two acts by Giselher Klebe who with his wife, Lore Klebe, also wrote the libretto based on the play Die Jungfrau von Orléans by Friedrich Schiller.... (The Girl from Domrémy) |
Opera |
| 73 | Orpheus | Orchestral work |
| 75 | Symphony No. 5 (1976–77) | Symphony |
| 76 | 9 Piano pieces for Sonja | Piano work |
| 78 | Das Rendezvous Das Rendezvous Das Rendezvous, op.78, is an opera in one act by Giselher Klebe. His wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on a work by Michail Zoščenko.The opera premiered in 1977 in Hannover, Germany.-External links:*... |
Opera |
| 82 | Der Jüngste Tag Der Jüngste Tag Der Jüngste Tag, op.82, is an opera in three acts composed by Giselher Klebe. His wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on the play of the same name by Ödön von Horváth.The opera premiered in 1980 in Mannheim, Germany.... (Doomsday) |
Opera |
| 87 | String Quartet No. 3 | String quartet |
| 90 | Die Fastnachtsbeichte Die Fastnachtsbeichte (opera) Die Fastnachtsbeichte , op.90, is an opera in two acts by Giselher Klebe. His wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on the novella of the same name by Carl Zuckmayer.... (Carnival Confession) |
Opera |
| 91 | Feuersturz | Piano work |
| 103 | Glockentürme | Piano work |
| 111 | Nachklang | Piano work |
| 119 | Gervaise Macquart Gervaise Macquart Gervaise Macquart, op. 119, is an opera in two acts by Giselher Klebe. His wife, Lore Klebe, wrote the libretto based on the novel L'Assommoir by Émile Zola.... |
Opera |
| 120 | Symphony No. 6 (1996) | Symphony |
| 133 | Mignon | Violin concerto |
| 134 | Chara | Duo |
| 149 | Chlestakows Wiederkehr Chlestakows Wiederkehr Chlestakows Wiederkehr, op.149, is an opera in three acts by Giselher Klebe. He also wrote the libretto, based on the play Der Revisor by Nikolai Gogol. The work lasts about 70 minutes.... (Khlestakov's Return) |
Opera |
Sources
- Erik Levi, "Klebe, Giselher", in 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....
, ed. Stanley SadieStanley SadieStanley Sadie CBE was a leading British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians , which was published as the first edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.Sadie was educated at St Paul's School,...
(London, 1992) ISBN 0-333-73432-7 - Michael Herbert Rentzsch (with Erik Levi): "Klebe, Giselher", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy, Oxford University Press, accessed 1 March 2008 (subscription only as of 2009 with Oxford)
External links
- "G. Klebe", Klassika