Biographie
* 02. 04. 1931, † 06. 11. 2010.
Theodor Walter Hirsbrunner is a musicologist born in Thun. On completing his undergraduate studies in ancient languages at Bern College he initially studied violin under W. Kägi in Bern and R. Benedetti in Paris. In 1956 he began studies in composition and music theory under S. Veress, W. Vogel (dodecaphony) and P. Boulez (until 1962).
He taught violin and music theory at the then Bern Conservatory (now the Bern School of Music) until 1965, and subsequently music theory, work analysis and modern music history (until 1987). From 1968 until 1973 he spent long periods of time at the 'Bibliothèque National' in Paris for purposes of research and from 1989 until 1983 lectured at the IRCAM institute also in Paris. Since the mid-seventies he has lectured as a guest in Europe and abroad (Berkeley 1977, Adelaide 1979, Los Angeles 1987, Tokyo 1989, Taipeh 1999). He has also given interviews and lectured on radio, including on Messiaen (BR Munich 1988, WDR Cologne 1988, RSR Lausanne 1992, DRS-2 Zurich 2002), Boulez (SfB Berlin 1990, NDR Hamburg 1990) and Ravel (RIAS Berlin 1987).
In 1978 he received the 'Janácek-Medaille' from Czechoslovakia, in 1984 the Medaille from UNESCO during the Year of Czech Music and in 1989 the Medaille of the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo. He was awarded a honorary doctorate from the University of Bern in 1996 and in 1998 he was appointed the 'Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres' by the French ministry of culture.
His most important area of research besides Czech and German music is French culture from 1871 (Wagnérisme) to the most recent present.
2006 Musikpreis of Swiss Canton Bern.
Dernière mise à jour: 2020-10-06 16:48:10