Apostel, Hans Erich (Heinrich)
Apostel, Hans Erich (Heinrich)
Apostel, Hans Erich (Heinrich), German-born Austrian composer and teacher; b. Karlsruhe, Jan. 22, 1901; d. Vienna, Nov. 30, 1972. He studied in Karlsruhe before settling in Vienna in 1921, where he completed his training with Schoenberg and Berg. He was an ed. at Universal Edition and in that capacity prepared for publication the posthumous works of Berg. He was also active as a teacher. Among his honors were the grand prizes of Vienna (1948) and the Republic of Austria (1957). His works were written in an atonal expressionist style until 1957 when he embraced strict serialism. He also experimented in Klangfarben effects, and applied audible overtones in his piano pieces by holding down the keys without actually striking them.
Works
ORCH.: Adagio for Strings, 2 Harps, Celesta, and Piano (1937); Variationen über ein Thema von Joseph Haydn (1949; Zurich, May 10, 1951); Ballade (1955); Variations on 3 Folk Songs for Small Orch. (1956); Rondo ritmico (1957); Piano Concerto (1958; Venice, Sept. 24, 1959); 5 Austrian Miniatures (1959); Kammersymphonie (1965-67; Vienna, June 4, 1968); Epitaph for Strings (1969); Haydn-Variationen, Teil II: Paralipomena dodeka-phonica (1969-70; Donawitz, Oct. 29, 1970); Passacaglia (2nd mvt. of an unfinished Concerto for Orchestra, 1972; London, July 10, 1974). CHAMBER: 2 string quartets (1935, 1956); Quartet for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon (1947–49); sonatinas for Solo Flute (1951), Clarinet (1951), Bassoon (1951), Oboe (1964), and Horn (1964); 5 Bagatelles for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1952); Intrada for Brass and Percussion (1954); Studie for Flute, Violin, and Guitar (1958; rev. 1964); 6 épigrammes for String Quartet (1962); Cello Sonata (1962); Kleine Kammerkonzert for Flute, Viola, and Guitar (1964); Fischerhaus- Serenade for 4 Woodwinds, 3 Brasses, and String Quartet (1971); 12 Stückefür 12 Musici for 4 Winds, 3 Brasses, and 5 Strings (1972). Piano: Sonata (1929); Sonatina ritmica (1934); Kubiniana, 10 pieces (1945–50); Suite concise, 7 pieces (1955); Fantasie (1959). VOCAL: Requiem for Chorus and Orch., after Rilke (1933; Vienna Radio, May 3, 1958); 5 Lieder, after Hòlderlin, for Low Voice and Orch. (1939–40); 3 Lieder, after Trakl, for Low Woman’s Voice, 4 Violins, 2 Cellos, and Double Bass (1951); 5 Lieder for Medium Voice, Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1953); Ode for Alto and Chorus (1962).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire