Sturzenegger, (Hans) Richard

Sturzenegger, (Hans) Richard, Swiss cellist, teacher, and composer; b. Zürich, Dec. 18, 1905; d. Bern, Oct. 24, 1976. He studied cello with Fritz Reitz at the Zürich Cons., and then continued his training in Paris (1924-27) with Alexanian and Casals (cello) and Boulanger (harmony and counterpoint). He completed his training in Berlin (1929-35) with Feuermann (cello) and Toch (composition), during which time he served as solo cellist of the Dresden Phil. From 1935 to 1949 he played in the Bern String Quartet, and from 1935 to 1963 he was solo cellist of the Bern Musikgesellschaft. He also taught cello and chamber music at the Bern Cons. From 1954 to 1963 he likewise taught cello in Zürich. In 1963 he became director of the Bern Cons.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Atalante (1963-68). ORCH.: 4 cello concertos (1933, 1937, 1947, 1974); Triptychon (1951); 3 Gesänge Davids for Violin and Orch. (1963); Fresco for Strings (1965). CHAMBER: Sonata for Solo Cello (1934); String Trio (1937); 2 string quartets (1940, 1974); Cello Sonata (1950); Elegie for Cello, Oboe, Harp, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1950); Piano Trio (1964). VOCAL: Chorale Fantasy for Contralto, Strings, Trumpet, and Drums (1941); Cantico di San Francesco for Chorus, Strings, and Harp (1945); Richardis, festival music for Chorus, Wind Orch., and Organ (1949).

Bibliography

R. S., Werkverzeichnis (Zürich, 1970); E. Hochuli, ed., Variationen: Festgabe für R. S. zum siebzigsten Geburtstag (Bern, 1975).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire