Koch, Karl

Koch, Karl, Austrian organist, choral conductor, and composer; b. Biberwier, Tyrol, Jan. 29, 1887; d. Innsbruck, Sept. 20, 1971. He studied religion and music at a Brixen seminary (1905–09) and also took courses in conducting with Max Springer and composition with Joseph Marx at the Vienna Academy of Music (1920–21). In 1924 he settled in Innsbruck as a choral conductor, retiring in 1967. He publ. Harmonielehre (Vienna, 1948) and Erganzungsbuch zur Harmonielehre (Vienna, 1957).

Works

jubilate Deo for Chorus and Orch. (1916); Festmesse zu Ehren der Geburt unseres Herren Jesu Christi for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1916; Bozen, Jan. 6, 1917); Requiem for Chorus and Organ (1916); Missa “In medio vitae” for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1925); Missa “Super flumina Babylonis” for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (Innsbruck, Nov. 20, 1932); Sinfonie “Aus den Bergen” (1942; Innsbruck, Feb. 17, 1947); Missa in honorem Papae Pii X (2 versions, 1953); Requiem for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1955-58; Innsbruck, Feb. 20, 1960); Psalmkantate, vocal sym. for Solo, Vocal Quartet, Women’s Chorus, Mixed Chorus, and Orch. (Wattens, Austria, Oct. 26, 1958); Brixner Dom Messe for Soloists, Boy’s Chorus, Mixed Chorus, Organ, and Orch. (Brixen, Sept. 10, 1958); Hubertus- Messe for Unison Chorus and Wind Septet or Organ (1967); also String Quartet (1948); 2 piano sonatas; sacred choruses; much organ music.

Bibliography

W. Isser, K. K.: Das Bild eines zeitgenössischen Komponisten (Innsbruck, 1969).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire