Gruber, H(einz) K(arl)

Gruber, H(einz) K(arl) (b Vienna, 1943). Austrian composer, double-bass player, and baritone. In Vienna Boys' Choir, 1953–7. Db. player in Die Reihe ens. from 1961. Prin. db., Tonkünstler Orch. 1963–9. Co-founder of ‘MOB Art and Tone ART’ ens., 1968–71. Joined Austrian Radio SO 1969. Soloist in Frankenstein!!, Liverpool 1978. Success of this work led to other commissions and to international fame. His mus. borrows from all sources to become unpredictably original and outrageous, but always intrinsically Viennese. Works incl.:STAGE: Die Vertreibung aus dem Paradies (The Expulsion from Paradise), melodrama (1966, rev. 1979); Gomorra (1990–1); Gloria von Jaxtberg (1992–3).ORCH.: Manhattan Broadcasts, light orch. (1962–4); Frankenstein!!, pan-demonium, bar. chansonnier, orch. (1976–7); Phantom-Bilder, small orch. (1977); vn. conc. No.1 (‘…aus schatten duft gewebt’) (1977–8, rev. 1992), No.2 (Nebelsteinmusik), vn., str. (1988); Charivari (1981); Rough Music, conc., perc., orch. (1982–3); vc. conc. (1989).ENS.: 3 MOB Pieces, 7 instr., perc. (1968, rev. 1977); Frankenstein!!, ens. version, bar., 12 players (1979); Anagramm, 6 vcs. (1987).BRASS BAND: Demilitarized Zones (1979).CHORAL: 5 Kinderlieder, unacc. female vv. (1965, rev. 1980).CHAMBER MUSIC: 4 Pieces, solo vn. (1963); 6 Episodes from a Discontinued Chronicle, pf. (1967); Castles in the Air, pf. (1981).TV FILM: Bring me the head of Amadeus (1991).