Rolf Schweizer
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Rolf Schweizer (14 March 1936 – 6 June 2016) was a German
composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...
,
choirmaster A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which ...
and church music director, who was based primarily at
Pforzheim Pforzheim () is a city of over 125,000 inhabitants in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, in the southwest of Germany. It is known for its jewelry and watch-making industry, and as such has gained the nickname "Goldstadt" ("Golden City") ...
. Schweizer was part of the movement
Neues Geistliches Lied ''Neues Geistliches Lied'' (, ''new spiritual song''), abbreviated NGL, is a music genre of songs in German intended for church usage, and based on contemporary lyrics and with music by contemporary composers. History The idea to reach youn ...
, and his compositions, several of which appear in the Protestant hymnal '' Evangelisches Gesangbuch'' (EG), were heavily influenced by contemporary secular music, especially jazz.


Life

Schweizer was born in Mundingen (now a suburb of
Emmendingen Emmendingen (; Low Alemannic: ''Emmedinge'') is a town in Baden-Württemberg, capital of the district Emmendingen of Germany. It is located at the Elz River, north of Freiburg im Breisgau. The town contains more than 26,000 residents, which ...
). His first musical instruction was as a member of the local brass band. He studied Protestant
church music Church music is Christian music written for performance in church, or any musical setting of ecclesiastical liturgy, or music set to words expressing propositions of a sacred nature, such as a hymn. History Early Christian music The onl ...
at the Evangelische Kirchenmusikalischen Institut in
Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...
, with
Wolfgang Fortner Wolfgang Fortner (12 October 1907 – 5 September 1987) was a German composer, composition teacher and conductor. Life Fortner was born in Leipzig. From his parents, who were both singers, Fortner very early on had intense contact with music. ...
, , Wolfgang Dallmann,
Heinz Werner Zimmermann Heinz Werner Zimmermann (11 August 1930 – 25 January 2022) was a German composer, focused on contemporary sacred music. He was professor of composition at the Spandauer Kirchenmusikschule and the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing A ...
and others. From 1956 to 1966 he was choirmaster of St John's in
Mannheim Mannheim (; Palatine German: or ), officially the University City of Mannheim (german: Universitätsstadt Mannheim), is the second-largest city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg after the state capital of Stuttgart, and Germany's 2 ...
. In 1966 he became district choirmaster of
Pforzheim Pforzheim () is a city of over 125,000 inhabitants in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, in the southwest of Germany. It is known for its jewelry and watch-making industry, and as such has gained the nickname "Goldstadt" ("Golden City") ...
, a position he retained until his retirement. In 1969 he was promoted to
Kirchenmusikdirektor Kirchenmusikdirektor (KMD, director of church music) is a German title for professional church musicians (' who have responsibility for not only a parish but a larger region, in both Protestant and Catholic church music. The title is also sometimes ...
(church music director), and in 1975 he became state choirmaster (''Landeskantor'') for
Mittelbaden Mittelbaden (German: "Middle Baden") is a vaguely defined region in the Baden part of Baden-Württemberg. It is customarily used for the region containing the districts of Rastatt, Baden-Baden, and Ortenaukreis. Before the district reform of 1973 ...
. In 1980 Schweizer turned down the role of Professor of church music at
Erlangen Erlangen (; East Franconian German, East Franconian: ''Erlang'', Bavarian language, Bavarian: ''Erlanga'') is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is the seat of the administrative district Erlangen-Höchstadt (former administrative d ...
, but he was granted the title of Professor by the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg,
Lothar Späth Lothar Späth (16 November 1937 – 18 March 2016) was a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union (Germany), CDU. Life Späth was born in Sigmaringen. From 30 August 1978 to 13 January 1991 Späth was the 5th Minister President of ...
. He was well known for his pedagogical work well beyond his own region. The city of Pforzheim granted Schweizer its honour ring in 1991 and
honorary citizenship Honorary citizenship is a status bestowed by a city or other government on a foreign or native individual whom it considers to be especially admirable or otherwise worthy of the distinction. The honour usually is symbolic and does not confer an ...
in 1998, for his more than 35 years of service in the field of church music. He retired in 2010 and lived in south Baden with his wife, Frohmut. The couple has three daughters. One of the daughters, Constanze Schweizer-Elser is currently the church choir director at
Selb Selb is a town in the district of Wunsiedel, in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. It is situated in the Fichtelgebirge, on the border with the Czech Republic, 20 km northwest of Cheb and 23 km southeast of Hof. Selb is well known fo ...
in north-eastern Bavaria. and the second daughter, Felicitas Schewizer-Kostner, a violin player, lives in Ortisei, north Italy, Ladin region. http://www.chor.it/eg/biography.htm


Music

Schweizer composed religious music for songs, brass bands and especially for children's choirs as well as large choir, orchestra and organ pieces. He belonged to the
contemporary worship music Contemporary worship music (CWM), also known as praise and worship music, is a defined genre of Christian music used in contemporary worship. It has developed over the past 60 years and is stylistically similar to pop music. The songs are fr ...
movement and was heavily influenced by 1960s pop music, especially
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
. Since 1961, his various musical settings of new sacred songs have been published in hymnals (including EG / EM), pamphlets, music books, choir and band arrangements by the publishers (Munich),
Hänssler Hänssler-Verlag is a German music publishing house founded in 1919 as Musikverlag Hänssler by Friedrich Hänssler Senior (died 1972) to publish church music. The company is now based in Holzgerlingen. Since 1972 Hänssler Verlag has also publish ...
(Stuttgart), Verlag Dohr (Bergheim-Ahe), Verlag Neue Musik, the Deutscher Evangelischer Kirchentag (Fulda) and
Carus-Verlag Carus-Verlag is a German music publisher founded in 1972 and based in Stuttgart. Carus was founded by choral conductor Günter Graulich and his wife Waltraud with an emphasis on choral repertoire. The catalogue currently includes more than 26,00 ...
. Well-known songs include ''O Herr, mach mich zu einem Werkzeug deines Friedens'' (O Lord, make me a tool of Thy peace) ''Das ist ein köstlich ding, dem herren danken'' (It is good to praise the Lord), and ''Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied'' (Sing a new song to the Lord, since he does wonders). His recordings with the
Motettenchor Pforzheim The Motettenchor Pforzheim is a German mixed choir of some 60 to 70 people, dedicated mostly to Baroque music. It is based at the Evangelische Stadtkirche in Pforzheim. Founded by Rolf Schweizer in 1966, as of 2015 it is led by Kord Michaelis, the S ...
include works by
Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard w ...
, such as choral movements from
cantatas A cantata (; ; literally "sung", past participle feminine singular of the Italian verb ''cantare'', "to sing") is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir. The meaning of t ...
with the orchestra
L'arpa festante is a German chamber orchestra, specializing in the revival and performance of unknown works, especially from the Baroque era. It was established in Munich in 1983 by Michi Gaigg, who also led the ensemble as concertmaster until 1995. The ensemble ...
, the motets, the Magnificat for Christmas Vespers, BWV 243a, the ''
St Matthew Passion The ''St Matthew Passion'' (german: Matthäus-Passion, links=-no), BWV 244, is a '' Passion'', a sacred oratorio written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander. It sets ...
'', ''
Christmas Oratorio The ''Christmas Oratorio'' (German: ''Weihnachtsoratorium''), , is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It is in six parts, each part a cantata intended for performance on one of t ...
'' and ''
Easter Oratorio The ''Easter Oratorio'' (), 249, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach, beginning with ("Come, hasten and run"). Bach composed it in Leipzig and first performed it on 1 April 1725. History The first version of the work was completed as a ca ...
''. Schweizer wrote extensively on church music, stressing its therapeutic value, especially with respect to youth. He also argued that church music should engage with contemporary trends in secular music, such as jazz, in order to maintain its vibrancy. A compilation of his writings, entitled ''Ritual und Aufbrach'' was published in 1997 in honour of his 60th birthday.


''Horntage''

Since 2000, Rolf Schweizer has been employed as the leader of the ''Internationales Schwarzwälder Hornorchester'' (International Black Forest Horn Orchestra), which has performed several works composed by Schweizer himself at the ''Internationalen Schwarzwälder Horntage'' (International Black Forest Horn Days). Since 2006, these ''Horntage'' have served as masterclasses for brass players, organised by Schweizer. The event is held in the BDB Music Academy in Staufen under the professional leadership of Peter Arnold.


Works

Hymns * ''O Herr, mach mich zu einem Werkzeug deines Friedens'' (1962; text by
Francis of Assisi Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, better known as Saint Francis of Assisi ( it, Francesco d'Assisi; – 3 October 1226), was a mystic Italian Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans, and one of the most venerated figures in Christianit ...
) EG 416 * ''Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied, denn Er tut Wunder'' (1963; text: Psalm 98.1) EG 287 * ''Das ist ein köstlich Ding, dem Herren danken'' (1966; text: Psalm 92.2-6) EG 285 * ''Siehe, das ist Gottes Lamm'' (Kanon) (1972; text: Joshua 1.29) EG 190,4/714 * ''In Euren Wänden seid ihr zuhause'' (1972; text: , 1972) * ''Bevor die Sonne sinkt'' (1974; text: Christa Weiss/
Kurt Rommel Kurt Rommel (20 December 1926 – 5 March 2011) was a German Protestant pastor of the Evangelische Landeskirche in Württemberg, author of spiritual books, and hymnodist. He wrote text and tune of hymns contained in both Protestant and Catholi ...
, 1965) EG 491 * ''Einer trage des andren Last'' (1976; text and melody) * ''Der Frieden Kind, der Frieden'' (1980; Text: , 1980) * ''Damit aus Fremden Freunde werden'' (1982; text and melody) EG 657 * ''Seht, das Brot, das wir hier teilen'' (1983; text: Lothar Zenetti, 1972) EG 226 * ''Lied von der verborgenen Stadt'' (1986; text: , 1986) * ''Tischlied zum Sabbat'' (2001; text: , 2001) * ''Gast sein auf Erden'' (2001; text: 2001) Orchestra & choir pieces * ''Einer trage des andern Last''; Fidula-Verlag (1977) * ''Die zwei Blinden''; Hänssler-Verlag (1978) * ''Lied der Sternsinger''; Hänssler-Verlag (1978) * ''Das Sorgen''; Hänssler-Verlag (1979) * ''Drei Kantaten für Männerchor''; Verlag Singende Gemeinde (1982) * ''Psalm in blue''; Strube-Verlag (1987) * ''Geistliche Spruchkanons''; Fidula-Verlag (1989) * ''Sinfonietta ’90''; Strube-Verlag (1990) * ''Sonata sacra''; Pro Organo (1991) * ''Ludi organi''; Pro Organo (1992) * ''Sechs geistliche Songs und neue Lieder''; Strube-Verlag (1992) * ''Sabbath der Schöpfung''; Strube-Verlag (1993) * ''Sonata da chiesa Nr. 2''; Edition Walhall (1994) * ''Psalmkantate „Lebendige Steine“'', Edition Musica Rinata (1995) * ''Musik zu Psalm 104''; Strube-Verlag (1995) * ''Drei Spiritual-Impressionen''; Strube-Verlag (1995) * ''Singendes Gottesvolk''; Strube-Verlag (1996) * ''Hymnus I–III''; 1988/1989/2007, Dohr Verlag (1997) * ''Ruf-Partita zu Jesaja 58''; Strube-Verlag (1997) * ''Sonata festivo''; Strube-Verlag (1997) * ''Psalm in Swing''; Strube-Verlag (1997) * ''Das vierfache Ackerfeld''; Carus-Verlag (1998) * ''Klang des Lebens''; (Text: Hartmut Handt);'Strube-Verlag (1998) * ''Salz der Erde, Licht der Welt''; Strube-Verlag (1999) * ''Europäische Weihnachtslieder-Suite''; Strube-Verlag (1999) * ''Klangbilder der Hoffnung Schweizer''; Strube-Verlag (1999) * ''Ihr seid die lebendigen Steine''; Edition Musica Rinata (2000) * ''Jona, geh’ nach Ninive''; Strube-Verlag (2001) * ''Ein Lied klingt durch die Welt''; Möseler (2002) * ''Psalmsprüche''; Bärenreiter-Verlag 2003 * ''Präludium in swing''; Strube-Verlag (2004) * ''Sinfonietta concertante''; Strube-Verlag (2004)


References


External links


Entry
in the database of the
Deutsches Musikinformationszentrum The Deutsches Musikinformationszentrum (MIZ) is the information and documentation institution of the Deutscher Musikrat. It has set itself the task of providing information about the structures, tasks and developments of the widely ramified music ...

Works of Rolf Schweizer
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schweizer, Rolf 1936 births 2016 deaths People from Emmendingen People from the Republic of Baden German composers German choral conductors German male conductors (music) Kirchenmusikdirektor