Claude Ferrier received his musical education in Rome: Violin (1975-82), piano (1991-96) and theory of harmony, counterpoint and composition under Mauro Cardi (1989-93) and in Peru: Indian harp and panpipes (1986-88). He realised numerous ethno-musical research projects in the Andes, after which he proceeded with studies at Lausanne Conservatory in the composition class of Jean Balissat. He was awarded prizes in counterpoint and received his music theory teacher's diploma in 1997.
He undertook postgraduate studies with composition under Klaus Huber and Daniel Ott and teaching of contemporary music under Hans Schneider.
Claude Ferrier is active as composer, arranger (Ethno-classical recordings of the Peruvian singer Martine Portocarrero and the Preuvian flutist Tobías Ríos), he organises regular seminars (Analysis at the Lima Conservatory, ethno-musical sciences at the 'Escuela Nacional Superior de Folklor de Lima'), he organises concerts and conferences for Indian harp (Lausanne Historical Museum, Peru National Library), he has been interviewed by the Peruvian television channel 7 ('Presencia cultural') and teaches music theory.
He held several composition workshops in Basel and Elsass in connection with the pedagogic project 'Klangserve' ('Europäischer Musikmonat', Basel 2001).
His works are published by the 'Pizzicato Verlag Helvetia' (Udine – Adliswil), and the 'Schweizer Musikedition' (Lucerne).
Prizes include:
First prize of the 'IV Convocatoria José Maria Arguedas' for his study of Peruvian dance and music, the competition was organised by the National Library in Lima Peru. Ethno-musicological work about the Peruvian harp, published in Peru in 2002.
He took second prize for the European composition competition for the choir of the Amiens Cathedral in France. Piece for a-cappella choir: 'In Principio...' (1997).
He won third Prize in the Swiss competition for young composers (organised by the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra). Piece for chamber orchestra: 'Musique pour les quatre éléments' broadcast in Switzerland (RSR Espace 2) and in England (BBC) in 1997.
He received a special mention by the jury for the String quartet 'Enigmes' (1999) in 'Quinto concurso de composición Pablo Sorozabal', San Sebastián, Spain.
He was a finalist in the competition for composition and arranged a didactical piece for the department of culture and education of canton Basel-land (2000).
Work list
Cinq-chronique (1994-1995)
Instrumentation: for flute, viola and harp
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Ricercar (1994)
Instrumentation: for quintet (hn.bn/hp/va.vc)
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Hémicycles (1994)
Instrumentation: for chamber orchestra (2(pic).2(ca).2(cbn)/2.2.0.0/1perc/cel/str)