Martin Wendal was born 1925 in Biberist, Solothurn. On completion of his undergraduate studies (from 1944 until 1947) he studied at the conservatories in Bern and Lausanne (Teachers: Richard Flury, Hans Haug, Edmond Defrancesco).
1947 until 1949 - Further studies in Paris under Tony Aubin, Arthur Honegger and Marcel Moyse
1952 until1969 - Solo flutist in the orchestra of the Manheim National Theatre, the orchestra of the Music Collegium Winterthur and occasionally with the Festival Orchestra Lucerne.
1970 until1990 - Music teacher at the upper Zurich canton school in Wetzikon, lived in Bassersdorf
1960 - Award from the Radio Lausanne Compositions Competition
1967 - First prize at the 'Premio Città di trieste' international festival, for the piano concert op.20
1964 - Commission by canton Solothurn for the musical design of a procession at the Expo in Lausanne
Various other commissions
1983, 1987, 1989 - Invitation by the Composer and Musicologist Association of the DDR to perform works at the Berlin Music Biennale
Work list
Quartett für Flöte, Violine, Viola und Violoncello, op. 1 (1946)
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Duett für zwei Flöten, op. 2 (1948)
Duration: 9' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Andantino für Cello und Klavier, op. 3 (1948)
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Streichquartett Nr. 1, op. 4 (1948)
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Konzert für Flöte und Kammerorchester, op. 5 (1949)
Instrumentation: (1solo.1.1.1/0.1.0.0/str)
A chamber music set, traditional dance-like, concise, virtuosic piece in three movements.
In a lyrically soft manner this music copes almost completely without the typical violoncello cantilenas. Instead combinations of intervals full of tension are used in order to accentuate the active gestures in all three aspects of a whole.
A sonata-like formation which forms a congruent statement by bringing together two very oppositional instruments which are hardly capable of a tonal unity: the flute associated rather with the quiet and intimate and the expansive, differentiating modern grand piano.
Instrumentation: for trumpet, string orchestra (8.8.6.6.1) and piano
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Rondo, op. 48 (1986)
Instrumentation: for flute(pic), violin, oboe and bassoon
Duration: 6' 30" Manuscript
Unsere Geschichte, op. 49 (1986)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir, speaking voice and piano
Texts: Hans Peter Gansner
Text: Hans Peter Gansner.
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Fünf Ostinati, op. 50 (1986)
Instrumentation: for flute, violin and piano
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Streicherkonzert, op. 51 (1987)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra (6.6.4.4.2)
Four movements uncovering the structure and development of the music through constantly recurring combinations of intervals. With thematic, rhythmic and acoustic elements.
Instrumentation: for high singing voice, clarinet and piano
Texts: Chinesisch
I tried to avoid all allusions to ancient Chinese exotics in the realisation of the aphoristic and directness of the still up-to-date texts. All fourteen pieces are connected in a meaningful compositional manner.
The dramaturgy of the composition (structured in seven segments) is developed and rounded, beginning with a quiet cluster-like sound.
A very challenging work to interpret, with sighs, exhalations and silences, but not without its more riotous moments!
The separate tones in this traditional three-movement composition search each other out and feel for worthy connections. Shrill aplenty but not without euphony.
Trio für Violine, Violoncello und Klavier, op. 60 (1993)
The duality of this piano trio is reminiscent of the formal type 'introduction and main theme'. It deals rather with two absolutely equal and approximately similar format part pieces of a whole.