Franco Tosi studied in Lucerne under the tutelage of Gianbattista Sisini. Further studies led him to Basel and the concert class of Hans-Rudolf Stalder. The interpretation of new music then led him to attend courses headed by K. Huber and H.U. Lehmann. In 1989 he co-founded and directed the Ensemble Opus Novum Luzern which, until its breakup in 2002, received numerous commissions for compositions and frequently performed world premieres of works by chiefly Swiss composers; the ensemble was also invited to perform at Lucerne Festival in 1998.
Franco Tosi has been a member of the Basel Sinfonietta since 1990. Several works for clarinet solo have been composed and dedicated to him as a result of collaborations with such Swiss composers as T.K.J. Mejer and Mela Meierhans. Tosi performed regularly as the chamber musical partner of Hans-Heinz Schneeberger, Philippe Racine and Daniel Cholette within the framework of the 'Festival Bourdic' in France. Franco Tosi has been the music pedagogical director of the Reinach School of Music in canton Basel Land since 1998.
Work list
Solitude (1993)
Solo piece
Instrumentation: for melodic instrument (flute, violin, clarinet, saxophone etc.)
Duration: 1' 20" Manuscript
Concerto Grosso (1993-1994)
Instrumentation: for contrabass saxophone in Eb solo, violoncello, double bass, 2 flutes, 1 oboe/English horn, 1 clarinet/bass clarinet, two trumpets, trombone and tuba
This work is dedicated to Thomas K.J. Mejer and was world premiered by the Morschachblasorchester under the direction of Mani Planzer.
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Phönix (1995)
Duo
Instrumentation: for flute/piccolo and clarinet-A/Eb clarinet
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Mutlos (1996)
Instrumentation: for baritone, alto flute, violin and violoncello
Texts: Robert Walser
Written within the framwork of the 8th Workshop for Contemporary Music in Biel in attendance of the course for composition headed by Heinz Holliger.
Duration: 3' 30" Manuscript
Saxofonquartett (1997-1998)
Instrumentation: for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Kaleidoskop (1999)
Instrumentation: for two violins
Duration: variabel Manuscript
Repertory
Béla Bartók: Contrasts für Violine, Klarinette, Klavier
Alban Berg: Drei Stücke, op. 5 für Klarinette und Klavier