Erpf, Hermann (Robert)

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Erpf, Hermann (Robert)

Erpf, Hermann (Robert), German musicologist and composer; b. Pforzheim, April 23, 1891; d. Stuttgart, Oct. 17, 1969. He studied with Wolfrem in Heidelberg (1909–11) and with Riemann at the Univ. of Leipzig (Ph.D., 1913, with the diss. Der Begriff der musikalischen Form) publ. in Stuttgart, 1914). He taught at Pforzheim (1919–23) and at the Univ. of Freiburg am Breisgau (1923–25); was asst. director at the Academy of Speech and Music in Minister (1925–27); was in charge of the Folkwangschule in Essen (1927–43). From 1943 to 1945, and again from 1952 to 1956, he was director of the Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart. He composed choral pieces, chamber music, and songs.

Writings

Entwicklungszuge in der zeitgenössischen Musik (Karlsruhe, 1922); Studien zur Harmonie- und Klangtechnik der neueren Musik (Leipzig, 1927; 2nd ed., 1969); Harmonielehre in der Schule (Leipzig, 1930); Vom Wesen der neuen Musik (Stuttgart, 1949); Neue Wege der Musikerziehung (Stuttgart, 1953); Gegenwartskunde der Musik (Stuttgart, 1954); Form und Struktur in der Musik (Mainz, 1967).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire