Bialas, Günter

Bialas, Günter, German composer and pedagogue; b. Bielschowitz, Silesia, July 19, 1907; d. Glonn, July 8, 1995. His father was the business manager of a local theater, and Bialas absorbed much music through personal connections with professional organizations. He studied in Breslau (1925–27) and with Trapp in Berlin (1927–33). After teaching composition at the Weimar Hochschule für Musik (1947), he was a teacher (19477–50) and a prof. (1950–59) of composition at the North-West German Academy of Music in Detmold; then was prof. of composition at the Munich Hochschule für Musik (1959–72). In 1967 he received the music prize of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, and in 1971 the Culture Prize of Upper Silesia. He developed a style using serial procedures, with diversions into medieval and African modes.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: Hero und Leander (Mannheim, Sept. 8, 1966); Die Geschichte von Aucassin una Nicolette (1967–69; Munich, Dec. 12, 1969); Der gestiefelte Kater (1973–74; Schwetzingen, May 15, 1975; rev. version, Munich, July 18, 1987). ballet:Meyerbeer-Paraphrasen (1971; Hamburg, May 12, 1974). ORCH.: Kleine Konzertmusik (1935); Viola Concerto (1940); Violin Concerto (1949); Sinfonia piccola (1960); Clarinet Concerto (1961); 2 cello concertos (1962, 1993); Music in 2 Movements for Harp and Strings (1966); Concerto Lirico for Piano and Orch. (1967); Musik for 11 Strings (1969); Chamber Concerto for Harpsichord or Piano and 13 Strings (1973); Introitus—Exodus for Organ and Orch. (1976); Der Weg nach Eisenstadt, “Haydn-Fantasy” for Small Orch. (1980); Marschfantasie (1988). CHAMBER: 3 string quartets (1936, 1949, 1969); Viola Sonata (1946); Violin Sonata (1946); Flute Sonata (1946); Partita for 9 Winds (1963); Pastorale and Rondo, nonet (1969); Romanza e Danza, octet (1971); Assonanzen for 12 Cellos (1978); Quintet for Harp and String Quartet (1983); Andante (Herbstzeit), piano quartet (1984); 9 Bagatelles for Wind Trio, String Trio, and Piano (1984); 6 Bagatelles for Saxophone Quartet (1985–86); Kunst des Kanons, 10 pieces for 2 to 4 Saxophones (1992). VOCAL: Indianische Kantate for Baritone, Chamber Choir, and 8 Instruments (1951); Oraculum, cantata for Soprano, Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1953); Symbolum for Men’s Chorus and Wind Quintet (1967); Lamento di Orlando for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1986); Matratzengruft, Liedenspiel (1992).

Bibliography

G. Speer and H.-J. Winterhoff, G. B. Meilensteine eines Komponistenlebens: Festschrift zum 70. Geburtstag (Kassel, 1977); G. B. zum 80. Geburtstag (Dulrnen, 1987); M. Holl and H. Schafer, Wort und Musik: Ausstellung zum 85. Geburtstag von G. B.: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek München, Musikabteilung, 15. July bis 4. September 1992 (Munich, 1992).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire