Gion Antoni Derungs was born in Vella/Lugnez in the Swiss canton of Grison. From 1949 until 1945 Gion Antoni Derungs attended the Disentis monastery school and completed his undergraduate studies at the humanistic college. During his time at college he proceeded with organ and piano instruction under the tutelage of Giusep Huonder in Disentis, and his uncle Duri Sialm, an important Rheto-Romanic composer who studied under Otto Barblan and Bernhard Staffenhagen at Geneva Conservatory. Gion Antoni Derungs studied piano, organ, school singing, conducting and score playing at Zurich Conservatory and Zurich School of Music and completed his studies with various diplomas (Paul Müller, Hans Andreae, Luigi Favini et al). From 1960 until 1962 he was the musical director in Lichtensteig/Toggenburg. Gion Antoni Derungs has taught at the cantonal teacher's seminar in Chur since 1962 and is the cathedral organist at the cathedral in Chur. From 1962 until 1969 he lead the Rheto-Romanic choirs 'Alpina' and 'Rezia' in Chur. In 1971 Gion Antoni Derungs founded the 'quartet grischun', a choir dedicated primarily to the performance of modern music; he lead this choir until 1993. In 1986 the canton of Grison awarded the composer Gion Antoni Derungs a tribute prize. The opera 'Il cerchel magic', the first Rheto-Romanic opera, met with great success at its world premiere in Chur in 1986. In 1996 his second Rheto-Romanic opera 'Il semiader' was also performed for the first time in Chur. The influences of Strawinsky, Schostakowitsch and the Swiss composers Willy Burkhard and Paul Müller-Zürich can be found in his early compositions. In the works he produced during the 60's and 70's Gion Antoni Derungs dealt intensively with the avant-garde (e.g Ligeti and Lutoslawski). Gion Antoni Derungs later used expanded sound references in addition to non-tonal elements in his compositions. Added to this are continual important impulses from Rheto-Romanic folk music and the Gregorian period. He has a particular partiality for chamber music where, in addition to the already mentioned influences, the divertimento character of the French composers (Milhaud, Français) also plays a decisive role.
Work list
Sut steilas (1959/2005)
Instrumentation: for female or male a-cappella choir
Instrumentation: for deep voice and organ (or piano)
Several songs have additional variations on the instrumentation.
Duration: 38' 00" Manuscript
Kleine Partiten und Choralvorspiele über rätoromanische Advent- und Weihnachtslieder, op. 62 (small partitas and choral preludes over Rhaeto-Romanic advent songs and christmas carols) (1975)
Instrumentation: for violin and orchestra (2.2.2.2/3.2.1.0/perc/str)
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
Nadal (Noel), op. 1 (1981)
Four motets and two Christmas carols
Instrumentation: for a-cappella choir
Based on motives and texts from religious folksongs.
I. Da Nadal notg
II. In fegl naschiu
III. O tgei buntad
IV. Glisch nuviala
V. Tut ils fideivels
VI. En in curtgin
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Blauer Wagen, op. 2 (1981)
Small cantate
Instrumentation: for high voice, flute and string orchestra
Texts: Verena Hefti
I. Frühling – II. Manchmal – III. Alle Alter – IV. Sand
V. Morgenwind – VI. Blauer Wagen
Instrumentation: for two organs, vibraphone, timpani and strings
Duration: 12' 30" Manuscript
Embrugls, op. 137 (1994)
8 songs
Instrumentation: for sopran solo, male choir, wind instruments (fl, ob, cl, bn, hn, tpt, tbn) and percussion (4 wd bl, snare dm, timp, sus cym, tam, vib)
Texts: Lothar Deplazes
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Nadal, op. 136a (1994)
Small rhapsody over romantic christmas songs
Instrumentation: for brass band
Duration: 5' 30" Manuscript
Veta e perpetnadad, op. 135 (1994)
Instrumentation: for soprano solo, mixed choir and orchestra (2bn, 2tpt, 2hn, timp, hp, str)
Biblical texts in the Rhaeto-Romanic language (text composition: Sur Gieri Cadruvi).
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
Serena, op. 134a (1994)
Five love songs
Instrumentation: for deep male voice, flute, vibraphone and violoncello
Texts: Paul Emanuel Müller
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Il Magnificat (1995)
Instrumentation: for soprano, mixed choir and piano trio or organ
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Atlas, op. 139 (1995)
A mythological scene
Instrumentation: for soli, mixed choir and instruments (fl, ob, bn, 2 tr, 2 tb, 4 wd bl, sus cym, vib)
Texts: Lothar Deplazes
Duration: 17' 00" Manuscript
Fünf geistliche Lieder aus der "Consolaziun", op. 84c (1995)
Instrumentation: for soli and orchestra (2fl, ob, 2tpt, 2cr, timp, str)
Duration: 12' 30" Manuscript
Fünfte Sinfonie, op. 140 (1995-1996)
Organ symphony
Instrumentation: for large orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/perc/2hp/str) and organ
Instrumentation: for mezzo-soprano (alt) and orchestra (1.1.1.1/1.2.1.0/perc.hp.str)
Texts: Giovanni Netzer
Duration: 25' 00" Manuscript
Ritual II, op. 142b (1999-2000)
Instrumentation: for flute and male choir
Texts: Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, Lothar Deplazes, Ovid
Duration: 17' 00" Manuscript
Das Lied von der Liebe, op. 147 (1999)
Instrumentation: for soli, mixed choir and orchestra (2.2.2.2/4.2.3.0/timp/hp/str)
Texts: Kahlil Gibran
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
Chanzuns d'amur, op. 148 (1999)
Instrumentation: for soprano, baritone and orchestra (fl, ob, cl, bn, hn, str)
Six Rhaeto-Romanic folksongs and one of my own over "Freud und Leid"
I. Stai si o ti biala
II. Eau sun üna giuvnetta
III. Cor pertgei eis aschi trest
IV. Star se legher
V. Bella di'm
VI. Avaunt pudaiv'ir
VII. Sut steilas (= my own: text: Gion Deplazes)
Instrumentation: for violin, violoncello and guitar
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Nibels (2004)
Instrumentation: for choir (SATB), flute and bassoon
Texts: Martin Fontana
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Concerto a sei, op. 165 (2004)
Instrumentation: for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Konzert, op. 163 (2004)
Instrumentation: for violoncello and orchestra (1.1.1.1/1.0.0.0/timp/str
Duration: 22' 00" Manuscript
Praeludium und Toccata, op. 168 (2005)
Instrumentation: for 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and large organ
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
3 poeme (quasi sinfonia), op. 173 (2005-2007)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.2.0/timp/hp/str)
Duration: 22' 00" Manuscript
Apocalypse, op. 166 (2005)
Chamber church opera
Instrumentation: for 6 singers and 1 speaker
Texts: Giovanni Netzer
Duration: 75' 00" Manuscript
L'alva, op. 167 (2005)
8 canzuns
Instrumentation: for mixed choir and piano
Texts: Martin Fontana
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
Igl mond digl paster pitschen (2005)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for tenor solo, male choir and piano
Texts: Giovanni Netzer
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Benjamin, op. 169 (2006)
Opera installation
Instrumentation: for actor, speaker, singers/choir (S2MezAlt2T2Bar)
Texts: Giovanni Netzer
Duration: 80' 00" Manuscript
4 Proprien, op. 170 (2006)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir and wind quintet
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
Suite romantica, op. 171 (2006)
Instrumentation: for violin, viola, violoncello and guitar
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Cantei ina nova canzun (2006)
Instrumentation: for mixed a-cappella choir
Texts: Giachen Albert Caduff
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Aquarels, op. 172 (2006)
11 Lieder
Instrumentation: for medium voice and piano
Texts: Lothar Deplazes, Martin Fontana, Arnold Spescha
Duration: 17' 00" Manuscript
La Chanzun da la duonna Potifar (2006)
The Song of Frau Potifar
Instrumentation: for soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto and piano
Texts: Leta Semadeni
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
dal diaria, op. 177 (2007)
Seven pieces
Instrumentation: for guitar
Duration: 13' 30" Manuscript
Pater Noster (2007)
Oratorio Dominica
Instrumentation: for soprano (tenor) solo and string orchestra
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Incont, op. 175 (2007)
Verzauberung - 9 Lieder
Instrumentation: for mezzo-soprano, alto and piano
Texts: Gion Deplazes, Lothar Deplazes, Martin Fontana, Tresa Rüters-Seeli
Duration: 19' 00" Manuscript
Henry Dunant, op. 178 - Ein dramatisches Menschenleben (2007-2008)
Oratorio in 5 scenes
Instrumentation: for speaker, soli (SATB), male choir, mixed choir, organ and orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.2.0/perc/hp/str)
Texts: Hans-Rudolf Merz
Duration: 70' 00" Manuscript
Bündner Tänze, op. 174 (2007)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.2.0/timp/hp/str)
Composed using old formulae and motifs.
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Sinfonia notturna, op. 176 (2007)
Instrumentation: for large orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/timp.perc/2hp/str) and organ
I. Serenezi (dusk) (approx. 6')
II. Umbrivas (dance of the shadows) (approx. 2'45'')
III. Lamentaschun (dragon's lament) (approx. 3'30'')
IV. Canzun (night song) (approx. 3')
V. Barlot (spook) (approx. 2')
VI. Choral (choral) (approx. 4'30'')
VII. Fiasta (wild party) (approx. 5'20'')
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
Il cavalè della Greina (2008-2009)
Lieder
Instrumentation: for mixed choir, flute, sax and euphonium
Duration: 23' 00" Manuscript
Serenata, op. 179 (2008)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Ins stille Land, op. 182 (2009)
Five songs
Instrumentation: for baritone and orchestra (fl, ob, cl, cbn, hp, str)
Texts: Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis
I. Das Abendrot (approx. 7'30'')
II. Lied beim Rundetanz (approx. 2')
III. Der Entfernten (approx. 3')
IV. Abschied von der Harfe (approx. 4'30'')
V. Lied (approx. 4'30'')
Duration: 22' 00" Manuscript
Amur e dolur, op. 180 (2009)
7 Rhaeto-Romanic folk songs about love and sorrow
Instrumentation: for flute and harp
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Pezzi, op. 181 (2009)
Instrumentation: for flute solo
Sogno - Capriola - Solitudine.
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Suita Nr. 2, op. 184 (2010)
Instrumentation: for string trio (vn, vl, vc)
I. vivo approx. 4'
II. andante (barcarola) approx. 3'30''
III. allegro scherzando approx. 3'
IV. adagio approx. 3'10''
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Pintga suita da Nadal, op.186a (2010)
Small Christmas suite over Rhaeto-Romanic Christmas carols
Instrumentation: for three clarinets and bass clarinet
1. In Fegl nachin en Bethlehem (approx. 1'40'')
2. O tgei buntad, tgei caritad (approx. 1'30'')
3. O stalla ventireivla (approx. 1'40'')
4. En in cartgein sun jeu 'oz staus (approx. 1'50'')
5. Da mesa notg fideivlamein (approx. 2'10'')
This suite can also be performed using another intrumental quartet, e.g. fl, ob, cl, bn or string quartet etc. This then requires the corresponding transposition of each respective voice.
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Suita romontscha, op. 76c (2010)
Five Rhaeto-Romanic songs
Instrumentation: for flute and string orchestra
I. Bien di cumar (Good morning dear neighbour) approx. 2'20''
II. Che fasch qua tü randulin (What are you doing here little swallow) approx. 2'10''
III. Buna sera biala (Good evening my beauty) approx. 2'
IV. Cor pertgei eis aschi trests (My heart, why are you so sad) approx. 1'50''
V. Rösetta mieu bain (O my Rösetta, I am ever so sad) approx. 2'10''
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Cantica, op. 185 (2010)
Four motets
Instrumentation: for a-cappella mixed choir, male choir and female choir
Text: Das Hohelied von Salomon.
I. Ego dormio (aus "Das Hohelied von Salomon" V,2-6)
coro misto a capp. approx. 5'
II. Quam pulchra es (aus "Das Hohelied von Salomon" IV,1,6,7,8)
coro maschile a capp. approx. 4'
III. In lectulo meo (aus "Das Hohelied von Salomon" III,1-5)
coro feminile a capp. approx. 4'
IV. Pone me (aus "Das Hohelied von Salomon" VIII,6,7)
coro misto a capp. approx. 5'
Duration: 19' 00" Manuscript
Cantiones sacrae, op. 183 (2010-2011)
Latin hymns
Instrumentation: for mixed choir (SATB)
4 motets.
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Tre pezzi, op. 187 (2011)
Instrumentation: for three violas
I. canto (approx. 3')
II. rondino (approx. 3'20'')
III. capriccio (approx. 2'30'')
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Psalm 121, op. 188a (2011)
Instrumentation: for 4-8 part a-cappella male choir
Rhaeto-Romanic text (sursilvan).
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Dialogo, op. 187b (2011)
Instrumentation: for clarinet and viola
Duration: 5' 30" Manuscript
Psalm 121/120, op. 188b (2011)
Instrumentation: for 4-8 part a-cappella male choir
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Peda (2011)
Instrumentation: for mixed a cappella choir
Texts: Conradin Giger
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Herbsttag (2011)
Instrumentation: for 3-part female or male a cappella choir
Texts: Rainer Maria Rilke
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Im Märchenschloss, op. 190 (2012)
Three scenes
Instrumentation: for flute, gramorimba and string orchestra
I. Glückliche Begegnung (intro and walz) approx. 5'
II. Abendspaziergang (collage) approx. 5'
III. Fröhlicher Ausklang (Ländler) approx. 5'