Jürg Wyttenbach was born in Bern. He studied piano under Kurt von Fischer and composition under Sandor Veress in Bern and then at Paris Conservatory. He taught at the 'Musikschule Biel' (Biel School of Music) and at Bern Conservatory. He has taught piano since 1967 and lectures in the interpretation of contemporary music at Basel Music Academy since 1970. He is also occupied as a concert pianist and conductor of mainly contemporary works and has produced several radio and LP recordings. In 1993 he won the City of Basel Arts Prize.
Jürg Wyttenbach lives in Basel.
Instrumentation: for mixed choir and four-handed piano
Texts: Mani Matter
Mani Matter has musicalised the farcical story of two odd friends. This piece uses known melodies (partly from folk and children's songs). It can be performed by a good school choir.
Vier Kanzonen und Two nonsense Verses, an Epigram and a Madrigal (1964)
Instrumentation: for soprano and violoncello
Texts: Hans Arp, Mani Matter, O. Nash, S.T. Coleridge, Anonymus
Written for a very light, agile soprano voice (lyrical soubrette...) and a cellist partner with lightning reactions.
Duration: 5' 00"
Max Hieber Verlag
Liebfrauenstr. 1 D-80331 München
Divisions (1964)
Instrumentation: for piano and nine solo strings (4.2.2.1)
The piano part, although virtuosic, is woven chamber musically into the strings. The string parts are not particularly demanding technically, but do require an acute sense of sound and an initiative of one's own.
‘Nachspielen’ in a literal sense: comprises of both echoing and reverberating sounds and counterpoint chasing itself in an imitative way, the result is a mutually infectious instrumental laughter, all preceding a real ‘Nachspiel’ (Postlude)
Instrumentation: for baritone and orchestra (pic.2.2.bcl.2.cbn/4.2.btpt.2.2/7perc/pf.2hp/0.0.8.6)
Texts: Leonardo da Vinci
Highly expressive, a furious condemnation of human meanness and the profit-seeking exploitation of nature. The baritone must be capable of articulating any kind of expression, from the most lyrical song to martial screams and suppressed whispers.
In the second movement the flutist also plays bass flute and the pianist a small electric organ. Both players form a dialogue in the first part, leading in the second part to weeping; in the third their discourse consists of arguing with and interrupting each other.
Trois chansons violées pour une violoniste chantante (1973-1981)
Instrumentation: for violin (female singing violinist)
Texts: François Rabelais, Volkslied
'Chanson de la canaille' (a rag song): French and Swiss Dialect (from the Bern region); The tragedy (anonymous Australian country blues): English; 'Chanson a la Lanternoy' (an 'underexposed' chanson): comic-speech and French. The violinist must have a good ear and be able to play and sing simultaneously. She does not need a trained voice but must possess perfect diction and the ability to act. Sponsored by the SME Lucerne.
Vocal and instrumental scherzo in the form of a large double carillon
Instrumentation: for one singer (soprano) and six clarinets (in A and masculine)
Texts: François Rabelais
Instrumental and vocal ‘theatre’. In order for the soprano to show the six clarinettists around the 'nose' she should have a lyrical/dramatic voice with a large vocal range. She must also have cabaret artiste and actress-like qualities.
D(H)ommage oder "Freu(n)de! nicht diese Töne..." (1985)
playthings
Instrumentation: for one trombonist
Duration: 12' 30" Manuscript
ENCORE! Tics and tricks for an actress and a cello-player (1987)
Instrumentation: for violoncello and actress
Texts: Alphonse Allais
Text: Alphonse Allais, "A Rajah who is bored". Beginning comically, but becoming increasingly earnest. This piece takes colonisation and violence against women as its underlying theme. The actress must speak English, sing music hall-style and be able to operate about the dandy-like cellist. The cellist also plays a small mouth organ (e.g. of the 'little lady' brand) and a rattle, at the end he uses two bows.
Harmonie mit schräger Dämpfung. Seven Poems by Paul Klee (1990)
Seven poems by Paul Klee
Instrumentation: for violin (female singing violinist)
Texts: Paul Klee
Von der Katze ein Stück - Beim Anblick eines Baumes - Regattazuschauer auf kleinem Dampfer - Moritat I und II - Albumblatt - Traum. Like 'Chansons violées' - only finer, more lyrical and more intimate.
Commentaries on the 'black notation' in Josquin's song 'Scaramella va alla guerra' for four players (percussionists that can also speaks/sing and act. Instrumentarium: Four railings).
FLÛTE ALORS! ou: suite des "Grimaces de Pallas Athenae" (1996)
Instrumentation: for one flute and one clarinet
An illustrious duel in a mischievously ironic vision: Marsyas helps himself to the flute, thrown away in anger by Minerva and unmasks Appollo (who thinks his bass clarinet is a noble harp) as a vain winner type.
LAUT KÄFIG. Ein Zyklus von 17 Haikus von Issa und anderen japanischen Dichtern (1995-1997)
A cycle of 17 Haikus from Issa and other Japenese poets
Instrumentation: for soprano and harp or guitar
Texts: Japanisch
No 'cherry blossom and moonshine' lyrics here. An adequate musical version of precise, concrete, sensual poetry, partly in dialogue: The instrumentalist also sings and speaks. Small theatrical gestures support the musical event.
GARGANTUA chez les Helvétes du Haut-Valais - oder: "Was sind das für Sitten!?" (1999)
Instrumentation: for eight singers, contrabass clarinet, two clarinets, violin, double-bass, dulcimer, bass dulcimer, two hand organs and diverse percussion instruments
Texts: François Rabelais (Franziskus Abgottspon)
A couple of ominous yet bucolic scenes from Rabelais compiled and set to music for the ‘D’Oberwalliser Spillit’. The text is in French or the Wallis dialect (conveyed by Franziskus Abgottspon).
Manuscript
... ist doch alles SCHALL und RAUSCH... (1999-2000)
Instrumentation: for clarinet and harp (plus auxiliary sounds)