Gerhard Schedl

Gerhard Schedl was an Austrian composer. His works included chamber works, operas, theater pieces, symphonies, concertos, and sonatas.

Early life and education

Schedl was born in Vienna and began composing during his childhood. In 1976 he began his professional studies with Erich Urbanner at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. He graduated with distinction in 1980.

Career

For nearly 20 years, Schedl taught at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt.
Schedl had early success with his music dramatic works including his oratorio Der Großinquisitor and his opera for children Der Schweinehirt.
Schedl also composed chamber music and symphonic works. His compositions were played by musicians, ensembles and orchestras such as David Geringas, Dennis Russell Davies, the ORF Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Modern.

Personal life and death

After a long period of severe depression, Schedl shot himself in the woods near his home in Eppstein. He was buried in an honorary grave at the central cemetery of Vienna, group 40 No. 97.

Gerhard Schedl Prize

In 2009 the Neue Oper Wien created a composition competition for a feature-length music-dramatic work.

Works

;StageDer Großinquisitor, Scenic Oratorio for bass-baritone, cello, narrator, chorus, organ and orchestra Der Schweinehirt, Children's Opera ; libretto after the fairy tale The Swineherd by Hans Christian AndersenTriptychon, Chamber Opera Trilogy Schall und Rauch oder Das Leben ist hart genug, 3 Parodies for actor and chamber ensemble Glaube Liebe Hoffnung, Oper ; libretto based on templates provided by Ödön von Horváth... fremd bin ich eingezogen..., Dance and Musical Theatre Piece for dancers, singers, actors, electronic bands, chorus and orchestra Der Ficus spricht, Minidrama in 1 act ; libretto by FranzobelRiesen, Zwerge, Menschenfresser, Youth Opera ; libretto by Herbert Vogg after Oscar Wilde's The Selfish GiantJulie & Jean, Ein Match in zwölf Runden nach Motiven von August Strindbergs for soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra ; libretto by Bernhard Glocksin after August Strindberg's Miss Julie
;OrchestralDrei Miniaturen Tango

Symphony No. 1 Kontrapunkt IV
Symphony No. 2 "Fleurs du Mal" Figures in the Dark for big band
Symphony No. 3 for baritone and orchestra ; words by Friedrich HölderlinConcerto da Camera for chamber ensemble 5 Intermezzi from the opera Glaube Liebe Hoffnung
Symphony No. 4 "Belfast" ; fragment

;Concertante

Capriccio for piano and small orchestra
Concerto for violin and 9 stringed instruments
Concerto for guitar and jazz ensemble
Double Concerto for violin, cello, 10 stringed instruments and harpsichord ; after Sinfonia 9 f-moll, BWV 795 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Concerto for viola and orchestra
Concerto for violin and orchestra Slow, Music for cello and orchestra short cuts, Concertino for clarinet and chamber ensemble

;Chamber music

Sonata for cello solo, Op. 1
Concertino for viola and piano Fantasie über einen ostinaten Baß for guitar solo, Op. 12 Musik for clarinet, tuba and piano Nächtliche Szenen, Sketches for a string quartet Rhythmen, Dances for guitar solo, Op. 7 Der Totentanz von Anno Neun, Septet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, cello and double bass, Op. 14 ; after painting by Albin Egger-Lienz
Sonata for flute solo Nachtstück for wind quintet Gesänge über "Deh vieni alla finestra" for violin, cello and piano, Op. 4 ; after the canzonetta from the opera Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartRondeau for guitar solo a tre, Variations for clarinet, violin and piano Schattenbilder, 4 Movements for cello and piano
String Quartet Romantische Paraphrase über "Der Tod und das Mädchen" ; paraphrase on Death and the Maiden by Franz SchubertMelodram: ein elegischer Gesang for baritone saxophone and percussion Quasi una Fantasia for lute solo Zwei Stücke aus der "Schatz-Truhe" for cello solo Der, welcher wandert diese Straße voll Beschwerden, Lamento for violin, cello and piano ; after The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Trio Divertimento for 2 violins and double bass Sonata da camera for saxophone quartet a cinque for clarinet, violin, viola, cello and piano
String Quartet No. 3 Concertino for violin and piano a due for violin and cello

;OrganPassacaglia action-meditation, Aleatoric Improvisation
;PianoZwei lyrische Stücke, Op. 17 Zwölf Impressionen nach einem Landschaftszyklus von Ulrich Doege, Op. 19 Variationen über einen Walzer Préludes
;VocalDer Panther for voice and piano; words by Rainer Maria Rilke... so zu Licht und Lust geboren..., Poetry for baritone and orchestra Concerto da Camera II for high voice and chamber ensemble ; words by Verena Blecher
;ChoralZaubersprüche for mixed chorus, percussion and double bass, Op. 16 Magnificat for mixed chorus a cappella Pater noster – in der phrygischen Tonart for 16 voices a cappella Te Deum for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed chorus, organ and orchestra Böse Sprüche, Farce for chamber chorus, alto saxophone, trumpet and trombone ; libretto after "Trara Trara die Hochkultur" by Fritz Hermann

Students

Students of Gerhard Schedl have included Klaus Wiede, Stefan Thomas, Dieter Hermsdorf and Daniel Hensel, who wrote the first musicological study and dissertation on the music of Gerhard Schedl.

Literature

Daniel Hensel: Von der Einheit in der Vielfalt oder der Lust am Subjektiven: Die Musik Gerhard Schedls, dargestellt an seiner Instrumentalmusik, Stuttgart: ibidem 2011,