Hoffmann, Richard

Hoffmann, Richard, Austrian-born American composer and teacher; b. Vienna, April 20, 1925. He studied at the Univ. of New Zealand (B.Mus.) before emigrating to the U.S. in 1947 and becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1964. He studied musicology at the Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles (1949–51) and composition with Schoenberg, serving as his assistant and secretary (1948–51). In 1951-52 he taught at the Univ. of Calif. at Los Angeles, and then at Oberlin (Ohio) Coll. (from 1954). He was an ed. of the complete works of Schoenberg. In 1970 and 1977 he held Guggenheim fellowships. He developed a sui generis serial technique, in which intervals, meters, rhythms, timbres, and dynamics are systematically organized, while the tone row is not necessarily dodecaphonic; he also utilized computer-generated sounds in some of his works.

Works

ORCH.: Prelude and Double Fugue for Strings (1944); Violin Concerto (1948); 2 pieces (1952, 1961); Piano Concerto (1953–54); Cello Concerto (1956–59); Music for Strings (1970–71); Souffler (1975–76); Intravolatura for Strings and Percussion (1980). chamber: 4 string quartets (1947; 1950; 1972-74; 1977, with computer-generated sounds); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Bass Clarinet (1948); Duo for Piano and Violin (1949; rev. 1965); Duo for Violin and Cello (1949); Tripartita for Violin (1950); Piano Quartet (1950); String Trio (1963); Decadanse for 10 Players (1972); Changes for 2 Chimes (1974). keyboard:Piano: Sonata (1945–46); 3 Small Pieces (1947); 2 sets of variations (1951, 1957); Sonatina (1952). Organ: Fantasy and Fugue (1951). computer-generated tape:In memorium patris (1976).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire