Professional activity: Composers, Interpreters, Authors
Biography
* 20. 03. 1933, † 18. 05. 2018.
Jacques Guyonnet was born in Geneva and studied literature at the university and composition and directing at the conservatory there. From 1958 until 1961 he participated at the Ferienkursen für Neue Musik in Darmstadt. In 1959 he founded the Studio de Musique Contemporaine in Geneva and began collaborations with Pierre Boulez after 1960. From 1976 until 1981 he was the president of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). In 1976 he taught composition for electroacoustic music at the Zurich School of Music.
His early compositional work shows an influence by Pierre Boulez. In his later works, Guyonnet becomes increasingly drawn to the large symphonic form and makes attempts at new musical practices (including elements of modern popular and electronic music). Guyonnet has published several novels since 1999.
Work list
Monades II (1959-1960)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.3.4/perc/hp.cel.pf/str)
For Pierre Boulez.
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Monades III (1961)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.3.1/4perc/hp.cel.pf/str)
For Hans Rosbaud.
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Polyphonies I, II, III (1959-1962)
Instrumentation: for viola/flute/piano, 2 pianos, viola/flute/2 pianos
Instrumentation: version for 11 soloists (2 pianos, 2 synthesizers DX7, brass quartet, 1 percussion, soprano voice, récitant) and large string orchestra
Duration: 55' 00" Manuscript
Base/Anabase (1986)
Instrumentation: for piano solo and large chamber orchestra (or string orchestra)
Manuscript
Suite Baroque (1986)
Instrumentation: for harpsichord, piano and string orchestra
Vivo
Largo
Finale
Manuscript
Un soupir pour Aurore (1991)
Instrumentation: for violoncello and piano
Manuscript
Les Angiospermes (2003)
a spoken opera
Instrumentation: for six actors and big chamber orchestra
Popular comedy about the end of the world.
Roles: Josefina and Alma - the Angiosperms, Aline aka Apocaline - a housewife, Celsius - a shy lover, Jacques - the prisoner, Dieu aka Monsieur Borgès.
Manuscript
Discography
Geneviève Calame (Grammont Porträt Nr. 28-2, 1991)