Keller Alfred
(05. 01. 1907 - 14. 06. 1987)
Genre: Classical Music
Biography
* 05. 01. 1907, † 14. 06. 1987.
1907 – Born in Rorschach, canton St. Gallen – receives instruction from the church music director Hans Oser
1925 – Completes undergraduate studies at the technical department of the cantonal school in St. Gallen
1925 until 1927 – Studies score playing, directing and composition under the tutelage of Volkmar Andreae at Zurich Conservatory
1926 – First experience of music from the Schönberg circle after working in a concert of the ISNM in which Webern directed a performance of his 'Fünf Stücke für Orchester op. 10' and Keller beat the large drum
1927 until 1930 – Student in the master class of Arnold Schönberg at the Prussian Academy of the Arts, Berlin - repetiteur for the operas 'Erwartung' and 'Die gluckliche Hand' under Otto Klemperer and Alexander Zemlinsky
July 1930 – Moves to Rorschach, works as a private piano, voice and theory teacher
After 1931 – Freelance activities as a choirmaster (workers choirs, church choir) and orchestra director
During this time he also occupies himself with Josef Matthias Hauer's 'Lehre von den Tropen', he later destroys his works from this period.
1937 – Marries Hedwig Züllig.
With the onset of World War II he is conscripted into the army and works in the emergency services section of a patrol company, later an army commando group.
1945 – In addition to his work with choirs he also gives piano lessons at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach. As a choirmaster he writes almost exclusively tonal works, he destroys atonal compositions in this period.
1946 – Alfred Keller is employed as an assistant teacher at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach and discontinues his choir work. In the following years he holds lectures in Switzerland and writes essays, primarily on Schönberg, Webern and the history of twelve-tone music.
1958 – Promotion to head teacher for piano at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach – he is appointed professor and continues to serve the seminar until his retirement in 1972
1977 – Awarded the first culture prize of the city of Rorschach "in remembrance of his great services to contemporary music" on his 70th birthday
1980/81 – Commission for OSSIA for large orchestra by the Pro Helvetia foundation.
1987 – Alfred Keller dies in Rorschach.
(Foto: Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Alfred-Keller-Archiv)
1907 – Born in Rorschach, canton St. Gallen – receives instruction from the church music director Hans Oser
1925 – Completes undergraduate studies at the technical department of the cantonal school in St. Gallen
1925 until 1927 – Studies score playing, directing and composition under the tutelage of Volkmar Andreae at Zurich Conservatory
1926 – First experience of music from the Schönberg circle after working in a concert of the ISNM in which Webern directed a performance of his 'Fünf Stücke für Orchester op. 10' and Keller beat the large drum
1927 until 1930 – Student in the master class of Arnold Schönberg at the Prussian Academy of the Arts, Berlin - repetiteur for the operas 'Erwartung' and 'Die gluckliche Hand' under Otto Klemperer and Alexander Zemlinsky
July 1930 – Moves to Rorschach, works as a private piano, voice and theory teacher
After 1931 – Freelance activities as a choirmaster (workers choirs, church choir) and orchestra director
During this time he also occupies himself with Josef Matthias Hauer's 'Lehre von den Tropen', he later destroys his works from this period.
1937 – Marries Hedwig Züllig.
With the onset of World War II he is conscripted into the army and works in the emergency services section of a patrol company, later an army commando group.
1945 – In addition to his work with choirs he also gives piano lessons at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach. As a choirmaster he writes almost exclusively tonal works, he destroys atonal compositions in this period.
1946 – Alfred Keller is employed as an assistant teacher at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach and discontinues his choir work. In the following years he holds lectures in Switzerland and writes essays, primarily on Schönberg, Webern and the history of twelve-tone music.
1958 – Promotion to head teacher for piano at the teacher's seminar in Rorschach – he is appointed professor and continues to serve the seminar until his retirement in 1972
1977 – Awarded the first culture prize of the city of Rorschach "in remembrance of his great services to contemporary music" on his 70th birthday
1980/81 – Commission for OSSIA for large orchestra by the Pro Helvetia foundation.
1987 – Alfred Keller dies in Rorschach.
(Foto: Akademie der Künste, Berlin, Alfred-Keller-Archiv)
Work list
Sonate (1928)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Streichquartett, op. 14 (String Quartet, op.14) (1930)
Manuscript
Das Liebespaar von übermorgen (1935)
Instrumentation: for a medium voice, small speaking choir, 2 saxophones, 2 trumpets, trombone, piano and percussion
Texts: Emil Basler
Manuscript
Zwei Chöre für Arbeiter, op. 16 (1935)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir and percussion ad libitum
Hungermarsch
Lied der Kornträger
Manuscript
Zwei Chöre für Arbeiter, op. 27 (1935)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir (piano ad libitum)
Texts: Karl Bröger, Bartolomeo Vanzetti
Lied der Arbeit
Vision
Manuscript
Kleine Morgenmusik aus drei fröhlichen Kanons (1935)
Instrumentation: for children's choir
Texts: Alfred Keller
Weckruf
Der Knurr- und Murrkanon
Wandern
Additionally: Auf, du junger Wandersmann
Manuscript
Zwei Lieder, op. 18 (1935-1936)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir
Texts: Kurt Klaeber, Max Dortu
Am glühenden Feuer
Die soziale Fabrik
Manuscript
Besuch im Schlaraffenland (1936)
A play for children
Instrumentation: for children's choir, 2 flutes, 2 violins, viola, violoncello and piano
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Instrumentation: for children's choir, 2 flutes, 2 violins, viola, violoncello and piano
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Hug & Co. Musikverlage
Limmatquai 28-30
CH-8001 Zürich
CH-8001 Zürich
Suite, op. 21 (1936-1937)
Instrumentation: for piano
Intrada - Gavotte - Musette - Aria - Gigue.
Manuscript
Vier Männerchöre (1937)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir
Texts: Hans Bethge, Klabund
Lied der Kornträger (Egyptian saying)
Um mit dir zu leben (Japanese folksong)
Schenke im Frühling (Li Tai Pe)
Chinesisches Soldatenlied (Chi Ging)
Manuscript
Sängerspruch der Typographen (1937)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir
Manuscript
Festgesang (1937)
Instrumentation: for unisono choir and piano
Texts: Karl Friedrich
Manuscript
Sängerschwur (1937)
Instrumentation: for unisono choir and piano
Texts: Walter Victor
Manuscript
Sieben Gesänge aus den Ruba'iyat des Bábá Táhir, op. 25 (1938)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir and chamber orchestra (1.1.ca.1.bcl.1/1.0.0.0/0.6.4.2)
Manuscript
"Grablied" after Carl Maria von Weber (adaptaion) (1938)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir
Manuscript
Lieder für gleiche Stimmen (Lieder for Identical Voices) (1938-1939)
Instrumentation: for children's choir
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Die moderne Schule
Rabenhochzeit
Hahn und Henne
Die Tanzprinzessin
Mond und Maus
Das Lied vom Regentropfen
Der kluge Schneider
Frühling
Schneckenpost und Eisenbahn
Schneidergeschichte
Grossmütterchen will tanzen
Manuscript
"Abschied" after Georg Nägeli (adaptation) (1939)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir
Texts: Otto Ernst Hesse
Manuscript
Wohl heute noch und morgen (1940)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir and solo voice
Folk ditty before 1812.
Manuscript
Passacaglia, op. 26 (1938-1941)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra
Manuscript
Herr, unser Herrscher, op. 29 (1941)
Motet
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir, brass, timpani and organ
After words from Psalms 8.
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir, brass, timpani and organ
After words from Psalms 8.
Manuscript
Vier Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern, op. 30 (Four lieder after various poets, op. 30) (1941)
Instrumentation: for voice and piano
Texts: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Georg Trakl, Hans Bethge, Klabund
Nachklang (Goethe)
Frauensegen (Trakl)
Nacht und Morgenröte (Ibn il Moattas, Bethge)
Die Sonnenuhr (Klabund)
Manuscript
Galgenlieder, op. 31 (1942-1944)
Instrumentation: for song and ensemble (fl, cl, hn, vn, va, vc, pf)
Texts: Christian Morgenstern
Es pfeift der Wind
Notturno in Weiss
Die Unterhose
Die Tapetenblume
Dondell
Der Seufzer
Galgenkindes Wiegenlied
Galgenbruders Frühlingslied
Manuscript
Das Wandbild am Rathaus zu Lindau (1943-1944/63)
Audio book music
Instrumentation: for 4 speaking voices, singing voice, vibraphone, celesta, harp and piano
Texts: Curt Hoenig
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for 4 speaking voices, singing voice, vibraphone, celesta, harp and piano
Texts: Curt Hoenig
Manuscript
Trinken wir, op. 32 (1945)
Instrumentation: for voice and piano
Texts: Alexander Petöfi
Manuscript
Der Bannerträger (1945)
Instrumentation: for four-part male choir
Texts: Otto Krille
Schweizerischer Arbeitersängerverband
CH- Basel
Lied vor Tag (1947)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir
Texts: Richard Dehmel
Schweizerischer Arbeitersängerverband
CH- Basel
Spruch (1947)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir
Texts: Hermann Hesse
Schweizerischer Arbeitersängerverband
CH- Basel
Das hohe Lied (1948)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir
Texts: Bruno Schönlanck
Manuscript
Hymnus (1951)
Instrumentation: for four-part mixed choir
Texts: Ernst Kappeler
Schweizerischer Arbeitersängerverband
CH- Basel
Fruehlig (1952)
Instrumentation: for children's choir
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Manuscript
Toccata (1952/67)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Epitaph für Arnold Schönberg (1956/58)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Drei Zwölfton-Etüden (Three Twelve-Tone Exercises) (1956/68)
Instrumentation: for piano
Martellato (variable metres)
Flageolett (original form and mirror form) (2nd version 1968)
Perpetuum mobile (seconds and sevenths)
Manuscript
Passacaglia (1960-1961)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra
Manuscript
Variationen über ein Thema von Arnold Schönberg (variations on a theme by Arnold Schönberg) (1962/67)
Instrumentation: for large orchestra
Manuscript
Ewiger Augenblick (chamber cantata) (1962-1963)
Seasons of the year in the form of the Japanese Haiku
Instrumentation: for soprano and ensembles (fl, bcl, cel, hp, vn, vc)
Texts: Heinz Helmerking
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for soprano and ensembles (fl, bcl, cel, hp, vn, vc)
Texts: Heinz Helmerking
Manuscript
Polymetrum (1967)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Palindrom (1968)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Permutatio (1968)
Instrumentation: for piano
Manuscript
Ciacona (1970)
Instrumentation: for flute solo
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28
CH-8134 Adliswil
CH-8134 Adliswil
Duettino (1970)
Instrumentation: for flute (also pic) and clarinet (also bcl)
Fanfare - Arietta - Tambourin.
Manuscript
Burletta (1972)
Instrumentation: for clarinet solo
Manuscript
Canzonetta (1973)
Instrumentation: for clarinet solo
Nepomuk Musik Verlag
c/o Breitkopf & Härtel Musikverlag
Walkmühlstrasse 52
D-65195 Wiesbaden
BRD
Tel. +49 (0)611 45 0080
vertrieb@breitkopf.de
www.breitkopf.com
Walkmühlstrasse 52
D-65195 Wiesbaden
BRD
Tel. +49 (0)611 45 0080
vertrieb@breitkopf.de
www.breitkopf.com
Capricietto (1973)
Instrumentation: for flute solo
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28
CH-8134 Adliswil
CH-8134 Adliswil
Pastorella (1973)
Instrumentation: for oboe solo
Manuscript
Scherzino (1973)
Instrumentation: for oboe solo
Manuscript
3 Klavierstücke (3 piano pieces) (1972-1974)
Melancholericon - Consolation - Omaggio.
Hug & Co. Musikverlage
Limmatquai 28-30
CH-8001 Zürich
CH-8001 Zürich
Souvenir I - III (1971-1975)
Lieder
Instrumentation: for identical voices
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Including:
N° 2 Das Lied vom Regentropfen
N° 3 Frühling
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for identical voices
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Including:
N° 2 Das Lied vom Regentropfen
N° 3 Frühling
Manuscript
Der enthüllte Stern (1974-1975)
3 poems by Richard B. Matzig
Instrumentation: for voice and instruments (fl, ob, cl, vn, va, vc, hp, perc)
Texts: Richard B. Matzig
Bildnis einer chinesischen Tänzerin
So schreit kein Tier
Es regnet aus dem Himmel von Opal
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for voice and instruments (fl, ob, cl, vn, va, vc, hp, perc)
Texts: Richard B. Matzig
Bildnis einer chinesischen Tänzerin
So schreit kein Tier
Es regnet aus dem Himmel von Opal
Manuscript
Drei Choralvorspiele (Three Choral Preludes) (1976)
Instrumentation: for organ
Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich
Nun sich der Tag geendet
Es ist das Heil uns kommen her
Manuscript
Monodialog (1976)
Instrumentation: for 2 flutes (1.pic, 2.afl)
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28
CH-8134 Adliswil
CH-8134 Adliswil
Choral Prelude and Fantasy over "Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich" (1976-1977)
Instrumentation: for organ
Eulenburg c/o Schott's Söhne
Weihergarten 5
D-55116 Mainz
BRD
Tel. +49 (0)61 312 460
Fax +49 (0)61 312 460
info@schott-music.com
www.schott-musik.de/
D-55116 Mainz
BRD
Tel. +49 (0)61 312 460
Fax +49 (0)61 312 460
info@schott-music.com
www.schott-musik.de/
Christ ist erstanden (1977)
Hymn
Instrumentation: for organ
Manuscript
Instrumentation: for organ
Manuscript
Liederbüchlein für Franziska (1977)
Instrumentation: for children's choir
Texts: Rudolf Hägni
Manuscript
Ossia (1980-1981)
Instrumentation: for large orchestra
Manuscript
Drei Lieder (1982)
Instrumentation: for voice and piano
Texts: Rolf Hörler
Horizont
Abschied
Sommerlang
Manuscript
Diskographie
Alfred Keller (Grammont Porträt Nr. 19-2)
Graf, Kathrin
Schweizer, Daniel
Schiller, Christoph
Dobler, Charles
Keller, Alfred: Ossia (1980-1981)
Keller, Alfred: Vier Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern, op. 30 (1941)
Keller, Alfred: Ewiger Augenblick (Kammerkantate) (1962-1963)
Keller, Alfred: Der enthüllte Stern (1974-1975)
Interpreters:
Holliger, HeinzGraf, Kathrin
Schweizer, Daniel
Schiller, Christoph
Dobler, Charles
Works:
Keller, Alfred: Pastorella (1973)Keller, Alfred: Ossia (1980-1981)
Keller, Alfred: Vier Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern, op. 30 (1941)
Keller, Alfred: Ewiger Augenblick (Kammerkantate) (1962-1963)
Keller, Alfred: Der enthüllte Stern (1974-1975)
Info: www.fonoteca.ch
Bibliography
Keller, Alfred: Schönberg-Anekdoten. Mitgeteilt von Alfred Keller (St. Gallen), in: Stimmen. Monatshefte für Musik (2. Jg.) 16 (1949), S. 463-464
Keller, Alfred: Arnold Schönberg. Erinnerungen eines Schülers an seinen grossen Lehrer, in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung (5.5.1974) (1974)
Keller, Alfred: "Endlich ein wenig begriffen zu werden". Zum 100. Geburtstag von Anton Webern, 3. Dezember 1983, in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung (3.12.1983) (1983)
Gradenwitz, Peter: Epitaph für Arnold Schönberg. Alfred Keller - Schönbergs schweigsamer Schüler, in: Arnold Schönberg und seine Meisterschüler. Berlin 1925-1933, Paul Zsolnay, Wien 1998, S. 233-246
vogel, Peter: Avantgarde aus der Schweizer Provinz. Musik des Rorschachers Alfred Keller, in: Radiomagazin (20. Februar 1998) (1998), S. 7
Fuchs, Daniel: Schallplatte mit Werken Alfred Kellers, Grammont CTS-P 19-1, in: Rorschacher Zeitung (22.4.88) (1988)
Keller, Christoph: Bauen mit Tönen. Zum Tode von Alfred Keller, in: Neue Schweizer Musikzeitschrift (August 1987) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Gesteigerte Ausdrucksdichte und grosse Formverknappung, in: Thurgauer Zeitung (3.1.87) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Ein Meisterschüler Schönbergs, in: St. Galler Tagblatt (3.1.87) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Formverknappung und Ausdrucksdichte, in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung (5.1.87) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Wie ein musikgeschichtlicher Monolith, in: Rorschacher Zeitung (5.1.87) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Alfred Keller, ein Schweizer Pionier der Zwölftontechnik, in: Schaffhauser Nachrichten (6.1.87) (1987)
Labhart, Walter: Ein Pionier der Zwölftonmusik. Zum Tod des Komponisten Alfred Keller, in: Ostschweizer Tagblatt (1987)
Larese, Dino: Alfred Keller: Wegbereiter der Zwölftonmusik, in: Aargauer Tagblatt (8.1.1987) (1987)
Rutz, Alfred: Geburtstagsgruss der Nachbarb, in: Rorschacher Zeitung (5.1.87) (1987)
Larese, Dino: Der Schweizer Schönberg-Schüler Alfred Keller 80jährig, in: Zürichsee-Zeitung (30.12.1986) (1986)
Labhart, Walter: Musik aus der Stille. Hinweise auf den Komponisten Alfred Keller (Rorschacher Neujahrsblatt 73), Löpfe-Benz AG, Rorschach 1983
Schmuck, Norbert: Alfred Keller: Vier Choralvorspiele für Orgel, in: Katholische Kirchenmusik 3 (1983), S. 101-104
Muggler, Fritz: Am Radio gehört: "Resonanzen" mit Alfred Keller, in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung (23.7.79) (1979)
Schmuck, Norbert: Alfred Keller. Entwicklung und Beschreibung seiner Kompositionsmethode, Steinach / St. Gallen 1978
Briner, Andres: Gruss an Alfred Keller. Zu seinem 70. Geburtstag, in: Neue Zürcher Zeitung (5.1.1977) (1977)
Cavelti, Hermann: Kulturpreis-Verleihung mit Uraufführungen, in: Rorschacher Zeitung (5.6.1977) (1977)
Labhart, Walter: Unauffälliger Komponist. Alfred Keller - ein Schweizer Schönbergschüler, in: TV-Radiozeitung (3.1.1977) 1 (1977)
Larese, Dino: Ein Schweizer Schönberg-Schüler, in: Aargauer Tagblatt (15.1.1977) (1977)
Larese, Dino: Der enthüllte Stern, in: Aargauer Tagblatt (7.6.77) (1977)
Rutz, Alfred: Alfred Keller wird siebzig. Eine Sendung von Radio DRS zu Ehren eines Rorschacher Komponisten, in: Ostschweizer Tagblatt (4.1.77) (1977)
Larese, Dino: Alfred Keller. Eine Lebensskizze, Amriswil 1969
Rutz, Alfred: Schönberg und sein Schüler. Literarisches und Radiophonisches über den Rorschacher Komponisten Alfred Keller, in: Rorschacher Zeitung (12.6.69) (1969)
Fierz, Gerold: Alfred Keller zum 60. Geburtstag, in: Neues Winterthurer Tagblatt (6.1.1967) (1967)
Fierz, Gerold: Besuch bei Komponisten: Schönbergs schweigsamer Schüler, in: Zürcher Woche (3.12.1965) (1965)