Heinz Marti was born in Bern. On completing his teacher training and brief teaching activities he studied music in Bern (Diploma in viola and music theory), and composition under Sandor Veress and Klaus Huber. He has repeatedly participated in the new music courses at Darmstadt summer school and at the Boswil Composition Seminars (as composer and performer). He works in the field of electronic music at the 'Centre de Recherches sonores' at Radio Geneva. He has been viola player in various orchestras, most recently with that of Zurich Opera. He has received many distinctions as a composer (Gaudeamus Foundation, PRO ARTE Foundation, Zurich City Council).
Today he lives in Zurich and Tessin.
Work list
Sonate (sonata) (1960)
Instrumentation: for violin solo
Duration: 15' 00"
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Amphibrachus (1966)
Instrumentation: for clarinet, viola and piano
Duration: 7' 00"
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Vierung und Umkreis (1967)
Instrumentation: for baritone and violin
Duration: 6' 00"
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Reflections (1967)
4 Movements
Instrumentation: for twenty-two strings
Duration: 10' 00"
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Psalm 130 (1968)
Instrumentation: for soprano and baritone solos, mixed choir and organ
Duration: 8' 00"
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"Der Magnet ist Schönheit" (1969)
Solo cantata
Instrumentation: for soprano and six instruments (fl(afl).ob(ca).cl(bcl-str trio)
Duration: 12' 00"
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Passages (1970)
Instrumentation: for flute and piano
Duration: 12' 00"
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So einsam ist der Mensch (1970)
Instrumentation: for three vocal-instrumental groups (1: male speaking voice, 2perc, gtr; 2: soprano, fl, pf; 3: alto, eleectromium)
Texts: Nelly Sachs, Jacques Prévert, Ambrosius von Mailand
A poem by Nelly Sachs, a protest song by Jacques Prévert and the the Te-Deum text are superposed in the form of a double motet. The three isolated groups predigate in German, French and Latin.
Duration: 15' 00"
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Madrigali (1971)
Instrumentation: for wind quintet
Duration: 14' 00"
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Qui necdum natus est (1971)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for flute, speaker, six female voices, choir, organ and electronic tape
Texts: Philip Oxman
Based on a theme by Philip Oxman.
Duration: 18' 00"
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Mask (1972)
Instrumentation: for three orchestral groups (1.0.ca.1.1/1.1.1.0/2perc/hp/3.5.5.2)
Hidden behind the mask is Gustav Mahler's wonder horn song 'Where the beautiful trumpet blows'. Soloistic orchestral writing. Technically rather demanding.
Duration: 12' 00"
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Aube (1972)
Instrumentation: for oboe and harpsichord
Duration: 13' 00"
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Cantus firmus (1973)
Instrumentation: for organ
Largely graphical notation. Sponsored by the SME Lucerne.
Duration: 12' 00"
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Traum-Bezirke (1973)
Instrumentation: for flute, percussion group (three players) and electronic tapes
Duration: 28' 00"
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Konzept einer "Manifestation" (1973)
Instrumentation: for fanfare group, wind music corps and fireworks
Duration: 30' 00"
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Correspondance (... à la sourdine) (1973-1974)
Instrumentation: for violin (or viola, violoncello) and piano
A huge, reeling mirror-canon, written in 'action writing' (tab. notation). The symbols for sound procreation are essentially identical for both instruments they do however, produce a completely different sound result. Involves experimental playing techniques for both instruments.
Duration: 10' 00"
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Response (1974)
Instrumentation: for string trio
Duration: 12' 00"
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Echos de détresse (1976)
Instrumentation: for piano and harmonium
A meeting of virtuosity and resignation. This piece can be played as a piano solo.
Duration: 6' 00"
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Chorus (1976)
Instrumentation: for small orchestra (1.2.2.1/2.1.0.0/perc/str) and organ
Duration: 11' 00"
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Ihre Uhren gehen anders... (1978)
Instrumentation: for harmonium and log drum
Duration: 10' 00"
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Ombra (1979)
Instrumentation: for violoncello (or violin, viola) solo
A solo piece operating on two levels (light and dark) without any particularly difficult demands made on the performer. A version for bass recorder (or any other low-pitch woodwind instrument) is also available.
Duration: 8' 00"
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Aurora e Danza a Marena (1979)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra and small percussion
Suitable for an amateur choir.
Duration: 11' 00"
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Ombra (1979)
Instrumentation: for bass recorder (or another deep woodwind instrument) or buggle or sax or violin or viola or violoncello
Duration: 7' 00"
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Recitativo desolato (1979)
Instrumentation: for violin and piano
Utilises a theme by W.A. Mozart.
Duration: 7' 00"
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Passacaglia (1980)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.1.0.0/perc/str) or string orchestra
Both orchestra and string orchestra versions are written for an amateur orchestra.
Duration: 13' 00"
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Désir de dialogue (1981)
Instrumentation: for alto flute (in G) and string trio (with obligatory string instruments)
Duration: 11' 00"
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4 Zeitstücke (1982)
Instrumentation: for trumpet and percussion (two players)
Commissioned by the city of Zurich. Also suitable for students.
Duration: 18' 00"
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Konzert (1982-1983)
Instrumentation: for organ, string orchestra, trumpet, trombone and percussion
Duration: 13' 00"
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Wachsende Bedrohung (1984-1985)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.ca.3(3bcl).2.cbn/4.3.3.1/timp.3perc/str)
The traditional orchestral sound is gradually silenced by the percussion ensemble. Unusual percussion in parts: tin kettle, tin cans, break drums.
Duration: 12' 00"
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Streichquartett "Nature morte" (1985-1986)
Duration: 13' 00"
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Pluie de la peur (1987)
Instrumentation: for guitar solo
The four movements (standard notation) come complete with fingerings by Christoph Jäggin.
Duration: 11' 00"
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Violin Concerto. "Canto che si spegne" (1987-1988)
Instrumentation: for violin, string orchestra and percussion
Demanding solo part in standard writing with no special difficulties for the string orchestra. Contains solo passages for the two percussionists.
Duration: 20' 00"
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Sintesi (1989)
Instrumentation: for string trio
The meditative and dramatic elements of these pieces become repeatedly united in a synthesis. Standard notation.
Duration: 12' 00"
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Dialogue (1989)
Instrumentation: for organ and electronic tape
Duration: 14' 00"
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Triptychon (1989)
Instrumentation: for double-bass and vibraphone
Duration: 10' 00"
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"Aus der Zeit - immer schon" (1990)
Instrumentation: for mezzo-soprano, alto flute in G, percussion and guitar
Duration: 20' 00"
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Nuit d'insomnie (1991)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra (or eleven solo strings) and percussion
The orchestral version is also suitable for an amateur orchestra.
Duration: 13' 00"
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Orakel (1991)
Instrumentation: for clarinet trio and twelve strings (6.3.2.1)
This work follows the literary model provided by Friedrich Durrenmatt's tale 'The Dying of Pythia'.
Duration: 14' 00"
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Ritual (1991)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone and piano
Duration: 10' 00"
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Ornamente (1992)
Instrumentation: for violin solo
Duration: 15' 00"
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Memento... (in Erinnerung an Sándor Veress) (1992)
Instrumentation: for chamber ensemble (2vn.va.vc/2ca/hn)
Duration: 2' 00"
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Appel de la nuit (1992-1993)
Instrumentation: for horn and orchestra (2.1.2(bcl).2/0.0.2.0/timp.perc/hp/str)
Duration: 12' 00"
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Poem (1993)
Instrumentation: for two recorders, marimbaphone and speaking voice
Duration: 7' 00"
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Evocations (1994)
Instrumentation: for vibraphone solo
A demanding solo piece in free notation.
Duration: 15' 00"-20' 00"
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Seuls (1994)
Instrumentation: for flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello and piano
The five instruments play in spatial isolation - a kind of 'conversation with oneself' approach. In free notation.
Duration: 25' 00"
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Dance of Death (1994)
Instrumentation: for speaking choir, mixed choir and instrumental ensemble (fl.cl.asx.2bn/pf/gtr/perc)
Duration: 20' 00"
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Zustände I - IX (1996)
Instrumentation: for violoncello, vibraphone and percussion
Music based on images by Rita Ernst.
Duration: 15' 00"
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Echos de détresse II b (1997)
Collage
Instrumentation: for violin, projections, electronic tape and light effects
Homage to Louis Soutter.
Duration: 25' 00"
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"Christliche Kleinbürger" (1997)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for soprano and alto solo, choir, chamber orchestra (ob.bn/tpt/str), bells and organ
Texts: Kurt Marti
Text by Kurt Marti.
Duration: 10' 00"
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Muotathaler Nachtmusik (1998)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra and Swiss harmonica
Duration: 15' 00"
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Klavierstück (2000)
The compulsory piece for the Landoldt prize, Winterthur / Zurich School of music.
Duration: 7' 00"
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Il Cantambanco (2002)
Three pieces
Instrumentation: for saxophone and violoncello
Duration: 10' 00"
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Mistura Siciliana (2003)
Music for the scenic cycle 'Progetto Siciliano' by Rita Ernst
Instrumentation: for flute, mandolin and percussion
Duration: 10' 00"
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... Informationen... (2004)
Information theory and aesthetic perception
Instrumentation: for string quartet, percussion and voice
Texts by Abraham A. Moles, Ludwig Tieck and from an article on the promotion of culture.
Duration: 18' 00"
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Invocazione (2005)
Choral cantata
Instrumentation: for three choirs and organ
Texts: Kurt Marti, Johann Caspar Schade, Häuptling Seattle, Jeremiah, Offenbarung des Johannes, Aurelo Peccei
Duration: 20' 00"
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"The Firmness Makes the Circle Just" (2006)
The Circle
Instrumentation: for mixed a-cappella choir and speaking choir
Texts: John Donne
Written for the 100th birthday of Sándor Veress.
Duration: 8' 00"
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Seduta (2007)
A musical board meeting
Instrumentation: for flute, violin, violoncello, percussion and piano
For the 10th anniversary of the Swiss Music Magazine.
Can be performed by amateurs.
Duration: 8' 00"
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Vier Essays (2008)
Instrumentation: for violoncello solo
Demanding solo piece.
Duration: 12' 00"
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Vier Essays (2008)
Instrumentation: for viola
Duration: 12' 00"
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"Ricordanze" (2009)
Instrumentation: for string quartet
Duration: 10' 00"
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Ossessione (2009-2010)
Instrumentation: for string quartet
Duration: 12' 00"
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Méditation interrompue (2011)
Instrumentation: for piano
Duration: 7' 30"
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Epigramm (2012)
Instrumentation: for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, violoncello, piano and percussion
Group discord - Reflection - Group unity.
Duration: 2' 00"
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"Zwei Türen" (2013)
Instrumentation: for mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, viola and violoncello
Texts: Hilde Domin
Duration: 10' 00"
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Discography
See Siang Wong: Swiss Piano Project (Musiques Suisses Nr. MGB CTS-M 143, 2014)