Höller, York (Georg)
Höller, York (Georg)
Höller, York (Georg), German composer; b. Leverkusen, Jan. 11, 1944. He studied composition with Zimmermann and Eimert, piano with Alfons Kontarsky, conducting, and music education (diploma, 1967) at the Cologne Hochschule für Musik. He also took courses in musicology and philosophy at the Univ. of Cologne, and attended Boulez’s analysis sessions at the summer course in new music in Darmstadt (1965). In 1971-72 he was active at the WDR Electronic Music Studio in Cologne. In 1974-75 he was in residence at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. From 1976 to 1989 he taught analysis and theory at the Cologne Hochschule für Musik. His Antiphon for String Quartet was commissioned for the opening of the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 1977. In 1978 he realized his Arcus at IRCAM in Paris, which was commissioned for the opening of its Espace de Projection. The score was subsequently performed on both sides of the Atlantic by the Ensemble Inter-Contemporain. In 1979 he received the Bernd Alois Zimmermann Prize of Cologne. In 1984-85 he was in residence at the Villa Massimo in Rome. He was named Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1986. The International Composer’s Forum of UNESCO awarded him its prize for his 2nd Piano Concerto in 1987. In 1990 he became director of the WDR Electronic Music Studio. In his oeuvre, Höller has effectively utilized both traditional and electronic modes of expression.
Works
dramatic: Opera: Der Meister und Margarita (1984-89; Paris, May 20, 1989); Caligula (1992). ORCH.: Topic (1967); 2 piano concertos: No. 1 (1970; rev. 1983-84; London, Dec. 3, 1985) and No. 2, Pensées, with live electronics (1992-93; Cologne, June 11, 1993); Chroma for Orch., Organ, and Live Electronics (1972–74); Arcus for Chamber Orch. and Tape (1978); Mythos for Chamber Orch. and Electronic Tape (1979); Umbra for Orch. and Tape (1979–80); Résonance for Orch. and Computer Sounds on Tape (1981); Schwarze Halbinseln for Orch. and Electronic Tape (1982); Magische Klanggestalt (1984; Hamburg, March 16, 1986); Improvisation sur le nom de Pierre Boulez for 16 Instruments (1984-85; Baden-Baden, March 31, 1985); Fanal for Trumpet and Orch. (1989-90; Paris, June 17, 1991); Pensées, Requiem for Piano, Orch., and Electronics (1990-91; Cologne, June 11, 1993); Aura (1991-92; Chicago, Oct. 12, 1995); Gegenklänge (1996); Widerspiel for 2 Pianos and Orch. (1997–98). CHAMBER: Drei Stücke for String Quartet (1966); Sonata for Solo Cello (1968–69); Epitaph (for Jan Palach) for Violin and Piano (1969); Tangens for Cello, Electric Guitar, Electric Organ or Piano, and 2 Synthesizers (1973); Klanggitter for Cello, Piano, Synthesizer, and Tape (1975–76); 2 string quartets: No. 1, Antiphon, with tape (1976–77) and No. 2 (1997); Moments musicaux for Flute and Piano (1979); Pas de trois for Violin, Cello, and Double Bass (1982); Pas de deux for Cello and Piano (Cologne, June 19, 1993); Tagträume for Piano Trio (1994). Piano: Fünf Klavierstücke (1964); Diaphonie: Hommage à Bêla Bartók for 2 Pianos (1965; rev. 1974; Cologne, Feb. 26, 1984); 2 sonatas: No. 1, Sonate informelle (1968), and No. 2, Hommage à Franz Liszt (1987); Partita for 2 Pianos (1995–96). VOCAL: Herr, es ist Zeit for Soprano and 8 Instruments (1966); Traumspiel for Soprano, Orch., and Electronic Tape (Metz, Nov. 18, 1983).electronic:Horizont (1972).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire