Maria A. Niederberger was born in Davos in canton Graubünden and grew up in Nidwalden. She studied composition and music theory in Massachusetts and California, USA. Amongst her teachers were Donald Martino (Harvard University), Arthur Berger, Martin Boykan (Brandeis Univerity) and Richard Swift (University of California Davis). As a student she won the O. B. Valente Memorial Prize for Excellence in musical composition and several scholarships. After receiving her doctorate from the Brandeis University she continued her compositional works and taught at American High Schools. Today she is professor at the East Tennessee State University where she teaches music theory and composition.
Work list
Daedaleum (1984)
Instrumentation: for cello solo
The non-traditional note heads in the notation change with the way of playing (pii, col legno, etc.).
Instrumentation: for youth choir (SATBar) and soli (from the choir)
Texts: Felix Stöckli
Lyrics in the local dialect of Nidwald by Felix Stöckli.1. Nid uiswiiche, 2. Zangg vo de junge Chräje, 3. Oh die Jährli, 4. Zangg ve de-n-alte Chräje, 5. Stirm hend pfuided, 6. Ringelreihe vo de junge Chräje, 7. Nid uiswiiche.
Texts: Carl Sandburg, Gertrud Burkhalter, Friedrich Bischoff, Ernst Penzoldt
The four German a-cappella songs (two to four-part) are in a traditional tonal style and suitable for an amateur choir, it is not without difficulties. The pieces can be performed individually.
1. Carl Sandburg: Der Nebel (two-part)
2. Gertrud Burkhalter: D Chrinne (two-part)
3. Friedrich Bischoff: Schneefall (four-part)
4. Ernst Penzoldt: Abreise (canon for three sopranos)
"Oh grosses Wunder": eine Liedsammlung (Zwei Weihnachts- und drei Neujahrslieder) (1995-1999)
Instrumentation: for high voice and small orchestra (fl.cl/perc/2.1.1.1)
Texts: Volkslied
I. Oh, grosses Wunder (second version) (M. Niederberger) 3'10
II. Fluss der Zeit (M. Niederberger) 1'40
III. Die Nacht ist hin (J. Chr. Günther) 2'10
IV. Zum Neuen Jahr (E. Mörike) 1'50
V. Neujahrsglocken (C.F. Meyer) 2'20
Suitable for a youth choir and a small professional orchestra.
I. Saltarello (A Gymnast's Routine) (Saltarello — Turnübung)
II. In Summer we Dance (Eclectic Variations) (Im Sommer tanzen wir — eklektische Variationen)
III. Mitten im Leben sind wir...
Duration: 5' 30"
MMB Music, Inc
Contemporary Arts Building 3526 Washington Avenue 631019 St. Louis Missouri USA Tel. +1 (314) 531 9635
Sonnenspur: Tonbilder aus Kalifornien (1996-1997)
Instrumentation: for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, two percussion, piano, string quartet and double-bass
Fantasy, prelude, I. Nächtlicher Kojotentanz, II. Morgensonn' das Meer enthüllet, III. Purple Horses, IV. Yosemite.
Accentuated percussion.
I. First Reflection, Interlude 1, II. Second Reflection, III. Princess of Crumbs, Interlude 2: A Hymn, IV. Ice Flowers. A loose connection to a poem by Mary Oliver.
Concerto for Oboe and Instrumental Ensemble (1999-2000)
Instrumentation: for oboe solo, flute (piccolo), clarinet, horn, harp, two violins, viola, violoncello and double-bass
This piece is suitable for oboe and ensemble but oboe and a small orchestra is preferable. The oboe is very demanding but the harp and horn also play important parts.
I. Story Telling (Geschichten erzählen)
II. Shadow Lines and Sudden Gleams (Schattenlinien und Plötzliche Ahnungen)
III. Blue Ridges
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
With Song and Trumpet Calls (2001)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir (SATBarB), trumpet and trombone (horn in F when necessary)
Texts: Maria Niederberger, Anonymus
A Christmas offering. Text: Middle age (Latin), Maria A. Niederberger (English).
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
I Sing For Joy (2001)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir
Text based on Psalms 92.
Duration: 1' 30" Manuscript
An Unexpected Journey (2002)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Prayer
II. Spirit of the Ocean
III. Vision of the Humble
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Movement for Solo Violin, Harp, and Symphony Orchestra (2002)
Instrumentation: for violin solo, harp and orchestra (2.1.ca.1.1/2.1.2.0/timp.xyl/str)
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
While Shepherds Watched (2002)
A Christmas Carol
Instrumentation: for organ, choir, tenor and female ensemble (SSSAAA)
Texts: Nahum Tate
The female ensemble can be replaced by the organ if required.
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Full Pockets (Volle Taschen) (2003-2005)
Song cycle
Instrumentation: for soprano, harp and flute
Songs to the following poems:
—Unterwegs (On the Road) (Anna Achmatova)
—Ode to the Storm (Ode an den Sturm) (Pablo Neruda)
—(nnn)
—The Harp (Die Harfe)(Pablo Neruda)
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Folia for Solo Clarinet (2004)
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Aevaw I for Solo Flute (2004)
Instrumentation: for transverse flute and light percussion (wood bells, two small bells, triangle, rain stick)
Rainstick: a North American Indian instrument (or a substitute)
I. Liberamente (In freier Weise)
II. Waves (Wellen)
III. Ancient River (Uralter Fluss)
Poem by Mark Halperin
Besides traditional play this piece also requires the mastering of new tone production such as whistling tones, glissandi, clapper clicks, flatter tongue, coloured sounds etc. In the second movement the poem is partly recited and partly projected onto a screen together with suitable art photography. The piece can be performed fully instrumentally, without projection, as a variation or as required.
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Soliloqui: 1841 Lives (2005)
Instrumentation: for clarinet solo
Duration: 3' 40" Manuscript
Wiegenlied (Lullaby) (2005)
Instrumentation: for soprano, violin and cello
In the traditional style.
To Clemens Brentano's "Wiegenlied".
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Baby, Dream You Dream (2008)
Instrumentation: for tenor and piano
Texts: Maria A. Niederberger
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Säntis Thoughts (2008)
Instrumentation: for violin and piano
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Time Gates: DreaMs and Memories, op. 200 (2009)
Instrumentation: for clarinet quartet (3c-bl, bcl)
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Mountain Visions (2010)
Instrumentation: for violin solo
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Jesus Paid It All: An Old Hymn Made New (2013)
Instrumentation: for tenor solo, female choir (SSAA), violin solo and piano
Texts: Elvina Mable Hall
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Christmas for All (2021)
Wehnachten für Alle
Instrumentation: 2 Chöre SATB (antiphonal), and kleines Sinfonie Orchester
Texts: Maria A. Niederberger: A Star Shall Guide
Antiphonales Chorwerk mit kleinem Orchester. Tonal/modal geschrieben.
In diesem Werk kommunizieren ein Engel??" und irdischer Chor. Neben dem Englischen Gedicht “A Star Shall Guide “ verwende ich Vokalisierungen und lateinische Passagen für den Chor der Engel. Am Ende verbinden sich beide Chöre.
Four Movements for Violin and Piano (Vier Sätze für Violine und Klavier) (2020)
I. Corona Sonate; II. Meditation; III. Intermezzo; IV. Ritournelle
Instrumentation: Violine und Klavier
Die vier Sätze sind kontrastierend. Während der erste Satz suchend und flehend ist, stellt der zweite Satz mit meditierender Musik das Gleichgewicht wieder her. Der leichte dritte Satz wird vom Ritournelle des vierten Satzes abgelöst.