Samuel Ducommun, a composer from Neuchâtel, studied organ under the tutelage of Louis Kelterborn and then Charles Faller and received a prize for virtuosity in 1938. He was a student of Charles Humbert with whom he studied harmony and continued with a study of counterpoint and composition under the tutelage of Paul Benner. Following this he became a student of Marcel Dupré. His career as an organist began in 1934 in Corcelles (Neuchâtel) and continued at the 'Stadtkirche' in Bienne from 1938 until 1942. Neuchâtel became the centre of his multiple activities as early as 1942; he was collegium organist, singing teacher at schools, piano teacher at the cantonal college and taught classes for organ, harmony, analysis, counterpoint and composition at the conservatory. Samuel Ducommun has performed in numerous Swiss, French and German cities. In addition to the classical and romantic repertoire his programmes also left space for the contemporary music of his time (Paul Müller-Zürich, Henri Gagnebin,Conrad Beck, Bernard Reichel, Jean Binet, Willy Burkhard, Rudolf Moser , Paul Hindemith, Frank Martin and Marcel Dupré). Premiere performances include: the French premiere of Frank Martin's 'Passacaille' (Radio Paris) in 1950, the premiere performance of the Concerto for Organ and Orchestra by Rudolf Moser in Zurich under the direction of Hermann Scherchen in 1948 and the French premiere of the same concerto at the 'Temple de l'Etoile' in Paris under the direction of Léon Zighera in 1952.
Composition occupied a prime position in the activities of Samuel Ducommun since his adolescence. The importance of the organ is apparent through its role as a privileged solo instrument (two concertos, symphony, suites, works intended for concert or church service) or as an accompaniment for voice (soprano, baritone), the flute, the oboe, the clarinet, the trumpet, the horn or the alphorn. Some works for soli, choir and orchestra have been written for particular occasions: 'Les Voix de la Fôret' (1964), with text by Marc Eigeldinger, was written to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Neuchâtel's entrance into the Confederacy; 'Jubilate Deo' (1976) a suite of psalms extracted from 'Vulgata' was written to mark the 700th anniversary of the 'Dédicace de la Collégiale' and 'L'Eternel parle' (1980), with text by Charles Bauer, was written for the 450th anniversary of the Reformation in Neuchâtel. Other compositions were born of fruitful encounters with poets from Neuchâtel: the cantata 'Siméon' with text by Edmond Jeanneret, a Christmas cantata and 'La Moisson de Feu', an oratorio with text by Marc Eigeldinger. Several symphonic and concertante works have also been produced by Samuel Ducommun (sinfonietta, serenade, nocturnes, concerto grosso with two violin solos, concertino for trumpet, concertos for organ and string orchestra, symphony for large orchestra), and numerous scores for chamber music (sonatas for flute, violin, violoncello and piano) and compositions for various instrumental formations (quintet with piano; string trio, flute and piano; flute quartet; brass trio; string quartet, flute, clarinet and piano; soprano, harp and string quartet) completes the musical production of Samuel Ducommun. While the style and the spirit of the compositions is French inspired and the architecture calls on classical forms with the fugue, passacaglia and sonata forms as examples, the expression is generally polytonal, sometimes atonal and often modal. Samuel Ducommun discovered a personal musical language which does not want to imitate person nor deny origins. If the material is traditional, the work is original.
(J.T.-D.)
Work list
Cinq Intermezzi (1932)
Instrumentation: for piano
I. Pour un jour de pluie
II. Pour un dimanche matin de printemps
III. Sur une tombe
IV. La nuit tombe
V. Pour remercier le soleil d'un jour d'été
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Trois Pièces en mi pour orgue (1933-1934)
I. Modéré
II. Lent
III. Animé
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
1st Petite Suite Op. 3 (1934)
Instrumentation: for piano
I. Prélude
II. Menuet
III. Adagio
IV. Final
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
Cinq Pièces pour orgue Op. 5 (1936)
I. Petite Chaconne
II. Cantilène
III. Andante
IV. Elévation
V. Cortège
Duration: 22' 00" Manuscript
Trois Variations sur le Choral "In dulci Jubilo" Op. 6 (1936)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Pastorale
II. Berceuse
III. Carillons
Duration: 23' 00" Manuscript
2ème Petite Suite Op. 7a (1936)
Instrumentation: for piano
I. En route
II. Air tendre
III. Petite valse
IV. Farandole joyeuse
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Divertissement Op. 8 (1936)
Instrumentation: for string quartet, flute, clarinet in Bb and piano
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro
Duration: 17' 00" Manuscript
Noël Op. 16 (1937)
Instrumentation: for soprano, obligatory flute and organ
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Sonata for violoncello and piano Op. 11 (1937)
I. Allegro
II. Lento
III. Allegro
Duration: 35' 00" Manuscript
Le Cantique des Cantiques Op. 13 (1937)
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
La Chanson du vent de mer Op. 10 (1937)
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Texts: Anatole Le Braz
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Kléarista Op. 9 (1937)
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Texts: Charles-Marie Leconte de Lisle
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Les Rayons et les Ombres XXVII Op. 14 (1937)
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Texts: Victor Hug
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Sirène Op. 17 (1938)
Vocalisation
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Mon Pays I Op. 18 (1938)
Instrumentation: for four-part a-cappella choir
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Sapins de Noël Op. 23 (1938)
Instrumentation: for three-part a-cappella choir
Texts: Henry Perregaux
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Tendresse Op. 12a (1938)
Cycle
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano
Texts: Louis Chazai
I. Odelette
II. Matin
III. Tristesse
IV. Le Ruisseau
V. Le Soir
VI. Isolement
VII. Douces paroles
VIII. Tendresse
IX. Le Lac
Duration: 50' 00" Manuscript
Pièce héroïque Op. 22 (1938)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Fantaisie
II. Fugue
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Salut Pays Op. 19 (1938)
Instrumentation: for male a-cappella choir
Texts: Philippe Ducommun
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Alleluia Op. 25 (1938)
Instrumentation: a-cappella choir with 3 identical voices
Texts: Cécile Bourquin
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Aubade Op. 27 (1938)
Instrumentation: a-cappella choir with four voices
Texts: Victor Hugo
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Christ est ressuscité Op. 21 (1938)
Instrumentation: a-cappella choir with four voices
Texts: Henry Perregaux
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Tendresse Op. 12b (1938)
Instrumentation: for soprano and chamber orchestra (1.1.1.1/1.1.0.0/timp.perc/hp/str)
Texts: Louis Chazai
I. Odelette
II. Matin
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
Fleurs de Noël Op. 24 (1938)
Instrumentation: for three-part a-cappella choir
Texts: Gustave Borel-Girard
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Quintette pour quatuor à cordes et piano Op. 20 (1938-1939)
I. Andante
II. Allegro
III. Lento
IV. Presto
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
1ère Suite Op. 26 (1939)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Prélude pastoral
II. Hymne
III. Communion
IV. Toccata
Duration: 24' 00" Manuscript
Conseils de l'Alpe Op. 28 (1939)
Instrumentation: for four-part a-cappella choir
Texts: Henri Warnery
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
C'est Noël Op. 29 (1939)
Instrumentation: for 3-part a-cappella choir
Texts: Henry Perregaux
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Chrétien chante l'Espérance Op. 31 (1941)
Instrumentation: for four-part a-cappella choir
Texts: Marguerite Albarin
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Benedictus Op. 33 (1942)
Instrumentation: for alto, violin and organ
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Petit Livre d'Orgue Op. 32 (1942)
I. Ricercare
II. Duo
III. Cortège
IV.Choral
V. Point d'orgue
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Prélude et Fugue No 1 en mi mineur Op. 35 (1943)
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Prélude et Fugue No 2 en sol mineur Op. 36 (1944)
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Prélude et Fugue No 3 en ré b majeur Op. 37 (1944)
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Odelette Op. 38 (1945)
Instrumentation: for male a-cappella choir
Texts: Henri de Reynier
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Toccata et Dialogue Op.39a (1946)
Instrumentation: for trumpet, horn, trombone and organ
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Petit Concert Op. 40 (1946)
Instrumentation: for trumpet, horn and trombone
I. Intrada
II. Bourrée
III. Sarabande
IV. Marche
V. Quodlibet
Instrumentation: for soprano, harp and string quartet
Texts: Rainer Maria Rilke
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Dix Invocations pour Grand Orgue Op. 59 (1955)
I. Préambule
II. Mélodie ornée
III. Lied
IV. Sur les Grands Jeux
V. Pastorale
VI. Canon
VII. Fughetta sur la trompette
VIII. Calvaire
IX. Matines
X. Pâques
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
Quatre pièces brèves Op. 58 (1955)
Instrumentation: for violoncello and piano
Dedicated to Pablo Casals.
I. Prélude grave
II. Fughetta
III. Elégie sur le nom de Pablo Casals
IV. Ronde
Duration: 13' 00" Manuscript
Toccata sur le nom de Marcel Dupré Op. 60 (1956)
Instrumentation: for a large organ
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Siméon Op. 61a (1957-1958)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for baritone solo, oboe, horn in F, strings and organ
Texts: Edmond Jeanneret
I. Récitatif et Choral
II. Aria
III. Récitatif et Choral
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Siméon Op. 61b (1958)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for baritone solo, choirs and orchestra (2.1.2.1/2.2.1.0/perc/str)
Texts: Edmond Jeanneret
I. Récitatif
II. Aria
III. Récitatif
IV. Choeur
V. Choral et Amen
Duration: 25' 00" Manuscript
La Moisson de Feu Op. 63a (1958)
Oratorio after The Apocalypse
Instrumentation: for soprano and bass, children's choir, mixed choir and orchestra (2.2.2.2/4.3.3.1/perc/str)
Texts: Marc Eigeldinger
I. Louange
II. Le sixième sceau
III. Le Livre prophétique
IV. Le Cavalier sanglant
V. Le Retour éternel
Duration: 50' 00" Manuscript
La Moisson de Feu Op. 63b (1958)
Oratorio after the Apocalypse
Instrumentation: for soprano and bass, children's choir, mixed choir, 3 trumpets and organ
Texts: Marc Eigeldinger
I. Louange
II. Le sixième sceau
III. Le Livre prophétique
IV. Le Cavalier sanglant
V. Le Retour éternel
Duration: 50' 00" Manuscript
Chanson des vagues Op. 64 (1958)
Instrumentation: for 3-part children's choir with accompaniment (piano, organ or harmonium)
Texts: Sam Perret
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
1er Concerto Op. 62 (1959)
Instrumentation: for organ and string orchestra
I. Toccata
II. Passaglia
III. Fuga
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Credo Op. 65 (1959)
Instrumentation: for soprano and piano or organ
Texts: André Pierre-Humbert
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Mon Pays III (1960)
Instrumentation: for three-part children's choir with accompaniment (piano, organ or hamonium)
Texts: Charles Luginbuhl
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Symphonie Op. 66 (1961)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/4.3.3.1/perc/str)
I. Allegro vivace
II. Intermezzo
III. Finale
Duration: 40' 00" Manuscript
Vitrail Op. 67 (1961)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Prélude
II. Variations
III. Postlude
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Concertino (1962)
Instrumentation: for trumpet and chamber orchestra (2.1.1.2/2.0.0.0/perc/str)
Instrumentation: for soprano and baritone, choirs and orchestra (2.2.2.2/4.3.3.1/hp/perc/str)
Texts: Marc Eigeldinger
I. Origines
II. Le Bois des Lattes
III. Enfances
IV. Les Chemins de l'Areuse
V. Solitudes
VI. La forêt de l'Ermitage
VII. Réminiscences
Duration: 45' 00" Manuscript
Liturgie Op. 71 (1965)
Instrumentation: for mixed double choir and organ
Texts: Edmond Jeanneret
Prélude et Ricercare sur le Psaume 150 – Invocation - Confession des péchés – Alléluia – Répons - Psaume 150 – Intercession – Amen - Postlude.
Duration: 25' 00" Manuscript
Gloria Op. 72 (1965)
After the lecture on the Symbol of the Apostles
Instrumentation: for unisono choir and organ
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Cantique de l'Apocalypse Op. 73 (1965)
Instrumentation: for mixed choir and organ
On a text extracted from Apocalypse v 6 - 14.
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Postlude Op. 74 (1965)
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 2' 00" Manuscript
Printemps Op. 75 (1967)
Instrumentation: for violin and piano
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Symphonie pour Grand Orgue Op. 76 (1967)
I. Allegro
II. Intermezzo
III. Adagio
IV. Final
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
2ème Suite Op. 77 (1968)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Hymne et Fughetta
II. Pastorale en rondeau
III, Aria
IV. Carillon
Duration: 14' 00" Manuscript
Le beau temps qui s'en va Op. 78 (1968)
Instrumentation: for three-part children's choir
Texts: Albert Rudhardt
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Ciacona Op. 79 (1969)
Instrumentation: for organ
Extracted from the 'Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik im Gottesdienst', vol. IV, No 2006d.
Duration: 4' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Prélude en fa Op. 80 (1969)
Instrumentation: for organ
Extracted from the 'Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik im Gottesdienst', vol. IV, No 2006d.
Duration: 3' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Prélude en ut Op. 81 (1969)
Instrumentation: for organ
Extracted from the 'Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik im Gottesdienst', vol. IV, No 2006d.
Duration: 4' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Preludio con fuga Op. 82 (1969)
Instrumentation: for organ
Extracted from the 'Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik im Gottesdienst', vol. IV, No 2006d.
Duration: 5' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Toccata Op. 83 (1969)
Dedicated to Heinrich Funk
Instrumentation: for organ
Extracted from the 'Zeitgenössische Orgelmusik im Gottesdienst', vol. IV, No 2006d.
Duration: 4' 00"
Edition Kunzelmann
Grütstr. 28 CH-8134 Adliswil
Six Préludes de Psaumes Op. 84 (1970)
Instrumentation: for organ
Psalms 100, 47, 33, 77, 138, 150.
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Huit Pièces variées sur des mélodies de Psaumes Op. 85a (1970)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Ricercare (Ps. 100)
II. Fantaisie (Ps. 47)
III. Toccata (Ps. 33)
IV. Choral (Ps. 77)
V. Prélude et Fugue (Ps. 138)
VI. Carillon (Ps. 150)
VII. Choral I et II (Ps. 25)
VIII. Petite Partita (I, II, III, IV) (Ps. 42)
Duration: 31' 00" Manuscript
Deux pièces Op. 86 (1970)
Instrumentation: for two flutes and organ
I. Andante tranquillo
II. Allegro
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Hymne au Soleil Op. 87 (1971)
Instrumentation: for three-part children's choir
Texts: Robert Moulin
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
3ème Suite Op. 88 (1972)
Instrumentation: for a large organ
I. Cortège
II. Ricercare sur la mélodie du Psaume 92
III. Quatre Esquisses
IV. Elévation
V. Final
Duration: 28' 00" Manuscript
Jubilate Deo Op. 89 (1976)
Cantata
Instrumentation: for bass solo, children's choir, mixed choir, 3 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, piano, percussion and organ
I. Psaume 122
II. Psaume 100
III. Psaume 84
IV. Psaume 48
V. Psaume 150
Duration: 40' 00" Manuscript
Interlude dans le mode pastoral Op. 90 (1976)
Instrumentation: for flute and organ
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
2ème Sinfonietta Op. 91a (1977)
Instrumentation: for string orchestra
I. Moderato
II. Aria
III. Allegro vivace
IV. Fuga
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Fanfare et Passacaille sur le nom de Charles Faller Op. 92 (1977)
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Aria Op. 91b (1977)
Instrumentation: for organ
Transcription by the author of the 2nd movement from his 2nd Sinfonietta.
Duration: 4' 00" Manuscript
Caprice sur les flûtes et le nasard, Interlude, Carillon I et II Op. 94 (1977-1978)
On the name of Anne Pedroli
Instrumentation: for organ
Duration: 19' 00" Manuscript
Quatre Esquisses Op. 95 (1978)
Instrumentation: for organ
I. Tranquille
II. Lent
III. Vif
IV. Modéré
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Prélude, Choral et Fugue sur la mélodie du choral "Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her" Op. 96 (1979)
Instrumentation: for flute and organ
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
L'Eternel parle Op. 97a (1979-1980)
Cantata in three parts
Instrumentation: for bass solo, mixed choir, brass(3tpt-Bb, cnt-Eb, 3cnt-Bb, bgl-Bb, euphonium-Bb, 3tbn-Bb, contrabass-Bb, contrabass-Eb) percussion and organ
Texts: Charles Bauer
Alternative version: 2A2Ba2B; 2.0.2.1/3tpt.3cnt.2tbn/perc/org
Duration: 30' 00" Manuscript
Cantabile Op. 98 (1981)
Instrumentation: for clarinet in A and organ
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Sonata da Chiesa Op. 99 (1981)
Instrumentation: for two trumpets and organ
I. Allegro
II. Ricercare to the melody of Psalms 92
III. Interlude
IV. Allegro