Horst Irrgang
Horst Irrgang was a German composer, conductor and musicologist.
Life and career
Born in Magdeburg, Irrgang studied school music in Weimar from 1948 to 1954, German studies at Jena University and music education and musicology at Halle University. As a composer and conductor, he devoted himself to amateur music throughout his life. From 1954 to 1958, he was artistic director of the folk art ensemble of the VEB Leuna-Werke Walter Ulbricht. In 1958, the took over the choral direction of the Louis Fürnberg ensemble of the University of Leipzig, which he held until 1965. Towards the end of the 1950s, he simultaneously took over the direction of the choir at VEB Hochbauprojektierung Halle. Irrgang was a board member of the and for many years the head of the folk music section of the Halle/Magdeburg district association.As a musicologist, Irrgang had been an editor at VEB Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig since 1959. He published numerous choral and song books with his own settings, which were part of the standard repertoire of numerous choirs, especially in the GDR. He also wrote instrumental sets of German folk and children's songs, for example for two recorders or two violins, which appeared in multiple editions.
His better-known works include the "picture book with music" Bummi in Afrika with texts by and illustrations by Ingeborg Meyer-Rey. A sequel appeared in 1976 under the title Bummi am Nordpol. These compositions by Irrgang consist of easy-to-sing songs with piano accompaniment that can also be performed orchestrally. Lyrics and songs allow for performance in a school context or even in recreational settings. His songs have also been broadcast on radio.
In 1989, he was awarded the Handel Prize of the city of Halle.