Music of Robert Suter this weekend. Kleines Konzert fur Klavier un Kammerorchester with the Instrumental Ensemble of Basel and Charles Dobler, piano – conducted by Rudolf Kelterborn from this broadcast concert of January 21, 1954 from RTS, Switzerland.
Robert Suter is a Swiss composer, born in St. Gallen. He studied music at Basel Conservatoire, becoming a teacher of theory in 1943 (teachers: Paul Baumgartner, piano; Gustav Guldenstein, Walter Muller v. Kulm and Ernst Mohr, theory; Walter Geiser, composition). Further studies at the new music summer school at Darmstadt with Wolfgang Fortner and Ernst Krenek, as well as studies with Wladimir Vogel in the early 50’s. Between 1945 and 1950 he taught theory at Bern Conservatoire, following which he was mainly occupied with teaching composition, analysis, counterpoint, harmony and improvisation at Basel Academy of Music, before retiring in the autumn of 1984. His works include instrumental, chamber, orchestral, choral and vocal music.
After studies of music theory at the Basel Conservatory, Robert Suter became a professor at the Bern Conservatory. He returned to Basel, where he taught composition, improvisation and music theory at the Music Academy from 1950 to 1984. His catalogue includes pieces for chambre ensemble, orchestra, choir, concertos, radio pieces and theatrical works, as well compositions for jazz ensembles. He received numerous commissions, grants and prizes, including the SUISA Composers Prize in 1977.
Charles Dobler studied at the conservatory and university in Basel and received his soloists diploma (Paul Baumgartner) with special credit. Further piano studies led him to Paris, Stuttgart and Salzburg to learn under Cortot, Lefébure, Horbowski and Fischer. His training was rounded off with composition studies under Vladimir Vogel and conducting under Kletzki and Otterloo.
As a soloist and chamber musician Dobler has given public concerts and performed for the most important Radio and TV stations in around 50 countries on five continents. In addition to the traditional repertoire he has also played in over 100 world premieres and debut performances. He has written two booklets, ‘Neue schweizerische Klaviermusik’, published by Breitkopf and played on 15 LPs for various labels.
Charles Dobler heads workshops and masterclasses at various universities and conservatories the world over, he is also a diploma and competition jury member. In 1973 Dobler received the art prize offered by the canton of Solothurn and the Medaille of the city of Seoul, in addition he was given honorary membership of the SMPV.
Born in Basel, Rudolf Kelterborn studied in Basel, Detmold, Salzburg, and Zürich, among other places, with the composers Walther Geiser, Willy Burkhard, Boris Blacher, Günter Bialas, and Wolfgang Fortner. In his own teaching career, Kelterborn has served as a lecturer and professor at a number of music colleges in Germany and in Switzerland, where he directed the Basel Music Academy from 1983 to 1994. Kelterborn also headed the music division of Swiss German radio from 1974 to 1980.
Farther afield, Kelterborn held guest lecturerships in the United States, England, Japan, China, and Eastern Europe. His works have been performed throughout Europe, the United States, and Japan, and he was also active as a conductor on the international scene.
He died in Basel aged 89.
Might be another unfamiliar one to you – in any case, have a listen.
