Boris Blacher

Short bio Boris Blacher

Birthday: 1903 in Niu-chang, China

Died: 1975 in Berlin, Germany

Active: 1930s - 1970s

Genre: Classical,Avant-Garde

Period: Modern

Full biography Boris Blacher

Boris Blacher was a German composer born on January 19, 1903 and passed away on January 30, 1975. He is known for his instrumental music, operas, ballets, fifty orchestral works , oratorios, concertos, and numerous choral pieces. He was active in the 20th century and was considered a cosmopolitan composer. During his career, Blacher wrote works for both traditional and experimental orchestral setups.

Blacher was a student of Arnold Schoenberg and spent some time in Paris, where he studied under Nadia Boulanger. His works were often described as neoclassical, with a focus on clear-cut forms and tight structures. However, he was also known to incorporate elements of jazz and popular music into his compositions.

Blacher held a teaching post at the Academy of Arts in Berlin, but he lost his position due to accusations of writing "degenerate music." Despite this setback, he continued to compose and his works were performed by prominent orchestras throughout Europe. Some of his most notable compositions include "Romeo und Julia," "Variations on a Theme of Paganini," and "Concertante Musik."

Today, Blacher's music is still performed and studied around the world. He is considered an important figure in 20th-century music and his works continue to influence contemporary composers.

Compositions featuring Boris Blacher

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	Fragment for string quartet	2:20 min	Chamber Music	1975
2	Poème, for large orchestra	16:27 min	Orchestral	1974
3	Quintet for flute, oboe, violin, viola & cello	11:30 min	Chamber Music	1973
4	Blues, Espagnola & Rumba Philharmonica for 12 cellos	12:35 min	Chamber Music	1972
5	Piccolo Trumpet Concerto	10:17 min	Concerto	1970
6	Ungereimtes, for voice & piano	9:00 min	Vocal Music	1967
7	Variationen über einen divergierenden c-moll-Dreiklang, for string quartet	17:11 min	Chamber Music	1967
8	Zwischenfälle bei einer Notlandung (Incidents after a Crash Landing), opera		Opera	1966
9	Concertino for wind quintet & strings	13:25 min	Concerto	1963
10	Demeter, ballet		Ballet	1963
11	Jüdische Chronik (A Jewish Chronicle)	2:55 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	1961
12	Variations on a Theme of Muzio Clementi, for piano & orchestra, Op. 61 ("Piano Concerto No. 3")	18:17 min	Concerto	1961
13	Aprèslude, 4 lieder for voice & piano, Op. 57	5:17 min	Vocal Music	1958
14	Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, for voice & string quartet	6:43 min	Vocal Music	1957
15	Francesca da Rimini ("Du, der du uns besuchst voll Güt' und Huld..."), for soprano & violin, Op. 47	7:36 min	Vocal Music	1955
16	Orchestral Ornament, Op. 44	14:34 min	Orchestral	1953
17	Studie im Pianissimo, for orchestra, Op. 45	7:50 min	Orchestral	1953
18	Epitaph: Zum Gedächtnis von Franz Kafka, string quartet No. 4, Op. 41	5:31 min	Chamber Music	1951
19	Nebel, for voice & piano	1:11 min	Vocal Music	1951
20	Sonata for solo violin, Op. 40	8:55 min	Chamber Music	1951
21	Lysistrata, ballet		Ballet	1949
22	Violin Concerto	19:14 min	Concerto	1948
23	Aus einer Gefängniszelle, song	3:21 min	Vocal Music	1947
24	Der General, song	2:47 min	Vocal Music	1947
25	Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf, for voice & piano, Op. 25	7:09 min	Vocal Music	1947
26	Variations on a Theme of Paganini for orchestra, Op. 26	14:31 min	Orchestral	1947
27	String Quartet No. 3	13:43 min	Chamber Music	1944
28	Psalmen (3), for baritone & piano	7:05 min	Vocal Music	1943
29	Romeo and Juliet, chamber opera in 3 acts, Op. 22	71:37 min	Opera	1943
30	Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 18	7:48 min	Chamber Music	1941
31	Sonata for cello & piano	8:47 min	Chamber Music	1940
32	String Quartet No. 2	13:03 min	Chamber Music	1940
33	Symphony	25:06 min	Symphony	1938
34	Sprüche Omars des Zeltmachers (5), for voice & piano, Op. 3	3:24 min	Vocal Music	1931
35	String Quartet No. 1	12:25 min	Chamber Music	1930
36	Alla Marcia	2:25 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
37	Anacaona, for chorus	5:01 min	Choral	-
38	Aprèslude for voice & piano: No. 1, Gedicht	1:45 min	Vocal Music	-
39	Aprèslude for voice & piano: No. 2, Worte	1:21 min	Vocal Music	-
40	Aprèslude for voice & piano: No. 3, Eure Etüden	1:24 min	Vocal Music	-
41	Aprèslude for voice & piano: No. 4, Letzter Frühling	0:57 min	Vocal Music	-
42	Cello Concerto	22:03 min	Concerto	-
43	Chansons (3) for voice & piano: No. 1, Moderato	1:29 min		-
44	Chansons (3) for voice & piano: No. 2, Slow	1:40 min		-
45	Chansons (3) for voice & piano: No. 3, Moderato	0:48 min		-
46	Chiarina	22:45 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
47	Clarinet Concerto	11:44 min	Concerto	-
48	Concert Overture	3:24 min	Orchestral	-
49	Concertante Musik for orchestra, Op. 10	8:33 min	Orchestral	-
50	Dance Scenes La Vie	32:04 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
51	Der Grossinquisitor, oratorio for chorus & orchestra	59:25 min	Choral	-
52	Divertimento for 4 woodwinds	9:52 min	Chamber Music	-
53	Divertimento for trumpet, trombone & piano, Op. 31	9:55 min	Chamber Music	-
54	Divertimento for Wind Orchestra, Op. 7	5:24 min	Orchestral	-
55	Duo for flute & piano	6:22 min	Chamber Music	-
56	Francesca da Rimini, for voice & chamber ensemble	7:55 min	Vocal Music	-
57	Fünf Sinnsprüche Omars des Zeltmachers	3:15 min	Vocal Music	-
58	Fürstin Tarakanowa Suite, Op. 19a	14:44 min		-
59	Grand Inquisitor, oratorio, Op. 21	59:25 min	Choral	-
60	Inventions (2) for orchestra, Op. 46	9:47 min	Orchestral	-
61	Jazz-Koloraturen for voice & chamber ensemble: No. 1, Slowfox	1:14 min	Vocal Music	-
62	Jazz-Koloraturen for voice & chamber ensemble: No. 2, Charleston	1:37 min	Vocal Music	-
63	Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf, for voice & piano: No. 1, Kirschkerne, Op. 25/1	18:02 min	Vocal Music	-
64	Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf, for voice & piano: No. 2, Das Zirkuspferdchen, Op. 25/2	3:04 min	Vocal Music	-
65	Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf, for voice & piano: No. 3, Herzensverstand, Op. 25/3	1:22 min	Vocal Music	-
66	Lieder (4) nach Texten von Friedrich Wolf, for voice & piano: No. 4, Die Hexe, Op. 25/4	1:58 min	Vocal Music	-
67	Music for Cleveland, for orchesta, Op. 53	9:25 min	Orchestral	-
68	Octet for clarinet, horn, bassoon & string quintet	15:03 min	Chamber Music	-
69	Orchester Fantasie	20:20 min	Orchestral	-
70	Ornamente for piano: No. 1, Vivace (Virgil Thompson)	1:05 min	Keyboard	-
71	Ornamente for piano: No. 2, Andante (Rudolf Wagner-Regeny)	1:22 min	Keyboard	-
72	Ornamente for piano: No. 3, Allegro (Karl Amadeus Hartmann)	0:59 min	Keyboard	-
73	Ornamente for piano: No. 4, Allegretto (Priaulx Rainier)	1:14 min	Keyboard	-
74	Ornamente for piano: No. 5, Allegro (Rolf Liebermann)	1:29 min	Keyboard	-
75	Ornamente for piano: No. 6, Moderato (Nicolas Nabokoff)	2:57 min	Keyboard	-
76	Ornamente for piano: No. 7, Presto (Gottfried v. Einem)	1:28 min	Keyboard	-
77	Ornamente, Studies in varied meters (7) for piano	10:08 min	Keyboard	-
78	Partita for strings & 6 percussion	17:43 min	Chamber Music	-
79	Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 28	18:26 min	Concerto	-
80	Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 42	18:01 min	Concerto	-
81	Piano Sonata No. 1	6:20 min	Keyboard	-
82	Piano Sonata No. 2	10:42 min	Keyboard	-
83	Piano Sonata No. 3	9:22 min	Keyboard	-
84	Piano Trio	10:30 min	Chamber Music	-
85	Pieces (3) for piano: No. 1, Allegro	3:23 min	Keyboard	-
86	Pieces (3) for piano: No. 2, Moderato	3:16 min	Keyboard	-
87	Pieces (3) for piano: No. 3, Allegro moderato	1:07 min	Keyboard	-
88	Preludes (24) for piano	18:43 min	Keyboard	-
89	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 1, Allegro	3:55 min	Keyboard	-
90	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 2, Allegretto	4:28 min	Keyboard	-
91	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 3, Moderato	5:50 min	Keyboard	-
92	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 4, Presto	4:45 min	Keyboard	-
93	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 5, Allegretto		Keyboard	-
94	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 6, Andante		Keyboard	-
95	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 7, Maestoso	4:28 min	Keyboard	-
96	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 8, Agitato		Keyboard	-
97	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 9, Adagio		Keyboard	-
98	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 10, Vivace		Keyboard	-
99	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 11, Lento		Keyboard	-
100	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 12, Allegro molto		Keyboard	-
101	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 13, Allegretto	5:50 min	Keyboard	-
102	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 14, Lento		Keyboard	-
103	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 15, Vivace		Keyboard	-
104	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 16, Adagio		Keyboard	-
105	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 17, Agitato		Keyboard	-
106	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 18, Maestoso		Keyboard	-
107	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 19, Andante	4:45 min	Keyboard	-
108	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 20, Allegretto		Keyboard	-
109	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 21, Presto		Keyboard	-
110	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 22, Moderato		Keyboard	-
111	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 23, Allegretto		Keyboard	-
112	Preludes (24) for piano: No. 24, Allegro		Keyboard	-
113	Preußisches Märchen (A Prussian Fairytale), opera		Opera	-
114	Psalm 121 for baritone & piano (Moderato-Tranquillo-Animato)	2:07 min		-
115	Psalm 141 for baritone & piano (Allegro molto-Andante-Tempo I)	3:23 min		-
116	Psalm 142 for baritone & piano (Moderato-Presto-Temp I)	2:58 min		-
117	Sonata for 2 cellos	8:33 min	Chamber Music	-
118	Sonatina for piano No. 1	2:39 min	Keyboard	-
119	Sonatina for piano No. 2	3:21 min	Keyboard	-
120	Sonatina for piano, 4 hands	6:03 min	Keyboard	-
121	Sonatinas (2) for piano	6:18 min	Keyboard	-
122	String Quartet No. 5 ("Variationen über einen divergierenden in C-Moll Dreiklang")		Chamber Music	-
123	Symphonic Poem "Hamlet"	13:30 min	Orchestral	-
124	Toccatas (2) for piano	3:21 min	Keyboard	-
125	Toccatas (2) for piano; No. 1, Vivo	1:39 min	Keyboard	-
126	Toccatas (2) for piano; No. 2, Allegro	1:32 min	Keyboard	-
127	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 1, Allegretto	1:25 min	Vocal Music	-
128	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 2, Tempo menuetto	0:56 min		-
129	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 3, Tempo menuetto	1:01 min		-
130	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 4, Allegretto	0:54 min	Vocal Music	-
131	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 5, Allegro	1:32 min	Vocal Music	-
132	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 6, Allegretto	1:06 min	Vocal Music	-
133	Ungereimtes for voice & piano: No. 7, Vivace	2:36 min	Vocal Music	-
134	What About This Mr. Clementi?, 3 pieces for piano	3:02 min	Keyboard	-

Albums featuring Boris Blacher

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	Boris Blacher, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Johannes Kalitzke – Dance Suite, Poeme, Hamlet, Concertante Musik(CD, Album)	2018	Capriccio (2)
2	Boris Blacher, Paul Dessau, Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler – Blacher(CD, Album)	2016	Phil. harmonie
3	Schumann / Vaughan Williams / Blacher / Redel - Nicolas Altstaedt, Landesjugendorchester Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hubert Buchberger – Schumann / Vaughan Williams / Blacher / Redel(CD, Album)	2008	Not On Label
4	Blacher \| Dessau \| Hartmann \| Henze \| Wagner-Régeny \| Hufschmidt – Politische Oratorien(CD, )	2005	RCA Red Seal
5	Egk \| Blacher \| Henze \| B.A. Zimmermann \| Matthus \| Humel \| Katzer – Tanztheater 1948-1975(CD, Compilation)	2004	RCA Red Seal
6	Blacher \| Bruns \| Henze \| Grosskopf \| Humel – Tanztheater: Spuren Der Antike(CD, Compilation)	2004	RCA Red Seal
7	Blacher \| Klebe \| Katzer \| Bredemeyer \| Glanert – Musikalische Komödien(CD, Compilation)	2003	RCA Red Seal
8	Zubin Mehta, Sarah Chang, Berliner Philharmoniker / Ludwig van Beethoven, Niccolò Paganini, Igor Stravinsky, Antonin Dvorák, Boris Blacher – European Concert 1995 - Palazzo Vecchio Florence(DVD, DVD-Video, Multichannel, PAL)	2002	TDK (3)
9	Boris Blacher - Stella Doufexis, Christopher Lincoln, Yaron Windmüller, Kolja Blacher, Petersen Quartett, Axel Bauni – Lieder(CD, Album)	2002	Orfeo (2)
10	Hartmann \| Orff \| Dessau \| Henze \| Blacher – Oper 1945-1953 (Nach Obszönen Inanspruchnahmen Ein Neuer Anfang?)(CD, Compilation)	2002	RCA Red Seal
11	U. Zimmermann \| Blacher \| Matthus \| Geißler – Zerbrochene Idyllen (Oper 1966-1975)(CD, Compilation)	2002	RCA Red Seal
12	Fortner \| Dessau \| Eisler \| Hartmann \| Reutter \| Blacher \| Klebe \| Matthus \| Schwaen \| Wagner-Régeny – Solo & Klavier 1945-1970(CD, Compilation)	2001	RCA Red Seal
13	Hindemith \| Blacher \| Domhardt \| Koerppen \| Schmidt \| Hölszky \| Schwehr \| Huber – Kammerchor 1950-2000(CD, Compilation)	2001	RCA Red Seal
14	Klebe \| Blacher \| Dessau \| Henze \| Reimann \| Zender \| Medek – Solo & Ensemble 1950-1970(CD, Compilation)	2001	RCA Red Seal
15	Boris Blacher, Berthold Goldschmidt – 100. Geburtstage 2003(CD, Promo, Sampler)	2001	Boosey & Hawkes
16	Hindemith · Hartmann · Schoenberg · Blacher · Toch - Timothy Reynish, Clark Rundell, Royal Northern College Of Music Wind Orchestra – German Wind Band Classics(CD, )	2000	Chandos
17	Boris Blacher, Staatsorchester Frankfurt (Oder), Athinäos – Orchesterwerke(CD, )	1998	Signum
18	Boris Blacher - Vladimir Ashkenazy, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Dimitri Ashkenazy – Works For Orchestra(CD, Album)	1998	Ondine
19	Blacher, Elgar, Kodály, Sir Georg Solti, Vienna Philharmonic – Enigma Variations / The Peacock / Paganini Variations	1997	London Records
20	Boris Blacher - Horst Göbel – Das Klavierwerk / Works For Piano(CD, )	1996	Thorofon
21	Boris Blacher, Orchester-Akademie Der Berliner Philharmoniker – Kammermusik(CD, )	1994	Thorofon
22	Neues Leipziger Streichquartett, Boris Blacher, Witold Lutosławski – Streichquartette(CD, Album)	1994	MDG
23	Resorts And Summit Meetings	1994	Largo
24	Boris Blacher - Petersen Quartett – Streichquartette(CD, Album)	1994	Edition Abseits
25	Boris Blacher - Kolja Blacher, Philharmonisches Orchester Frankfurt (Oder), Nikoa Athinäos – Symphonie / Violinkonzert / Poème(CD, )	1993	Signum
26	Boris Blacher - Horst Göbel – Die drei Klavierkonzerte(CD, )	1992	Thorofon
27	Mauricio Kagel, Boris Blacher, Heimo Erbse - Göbel-Trio Berlin – Modern Piano Trios	1992	Thorofon
28	Tchaikovsky, Boris Blacher - Eliahu Inbal, Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt – Symphony No. 5 - Orchestervariationen, Op. 26	1990	Denon
29	B. Blacher / G. Banschikov – Concerto No. 1 For Piano And Chamber Orchestra / Nocturne Cantata On A. Blok's Verses(LP)	1989	Мелодия
30	Boris Blacher – Siegmund Nimsgern, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Dresdner Philharmonie, Herbert Kegel – Der Großinquisitor	1988	ETERNA
31	Hahn, Blacher, Ravel, Tschaikowksy, Westfälisches Sinfonieorchester, Walter Gillessen – Tänzerische Festmusik(LP)	1986	Audiographie (2)
32	Hans Pfitzner, Boris Blacher, Wilhelm Furtwängler – Palestina-Preludi 1/3, Sinfonia In Do Op. 46 - Musica Concertante Op. 10(LP)	1982	Fonit Cetra
33	Hans Werner Henze, Boris Blacher – Henze: Los Caprichos - Blacher: Orchestervariationen über Ein Thema von Paganini(LP)	1982	Fédération Internationale Des Jeunesses Musicales
34	Boris Blacher / Gerty Herzog , Klavier ‧ Dresdner Philharmonie ‧ Herbert Kegel – Concertante Musik Für Orchester Op. 10 ‧ Orchestervariationen Über Ein Thema Von Paganini Op. 26 ‧ Zweites Klavierkonzert Op. 42	1982	ETERNA
35	Das Klavierwerk - Works For Piano(LP)	1980	Thorofon Capella
36	Camille Saint-Saëns, Jean Françaix, Boris Blacher, Leif Segerstam, Bohuslav Martinů – Die Orchester-Akademie des Berliner Philharmonischen Orchesters Institut der Herbert von Karajan Stiftung stellt sich vor(LP, Stereo)	1979	Deutsche Grammophon
37	Die 12 Cellisten Der Berliner Philharmoniker - David Funck / Julius Klengel / Boris Blacher / Jean Françaix – 12 Cellisten Der Berliner Philharmoniker	1976	BASF
38	Hindemith / Blacher / Egk / Kelemen – Cinq Pièces / Konzertstück / Le Rossignol / Cinq Essais(LP)	1968	Philips
39	Boris Blacher / Andrzej Panufnik – The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney – Orchestral Fantasy / Rhapsody For Orchestra	1967	First Edition Records
40	Wladimir Vogel / Boris Blacher – Passacaglia / Concertante Musik - Variazioni Per Orchestra Su Un Tema Di Paganini(LP, 10")	1967	Fratelli Fabbri Editori
41	Blacher, Wagner-Régeny, Hartmann, Henze, Dessau - Schostakowitsch – Jüdische Chronik - Aus Jüdischer Volkspoesie	1967	ETERNA
42	Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Aribert Reimann / Schwarz-Schilling, Fortner, Reutter, Blacher, Reimann – Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Singt Lieder Zeitgenössischer Komponisten	1962	Odeon
43	Gottfried von Einem / Boris Blacher / Werner Egk – Klavierkonzert Op. 20 / Eine Amsel, Dreizehnmal Gesehen / Quattro Canzoni	1962	Deutsche Grammophon
44	Boris Blacher, Bruno Maderna – Romeo E Giulietta Da William Shakespeare(LP)	1959	RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana
45	Frank Martin (3) / Boris Blacher / Gottfried von Einem / RIAS Symphonie-Orchester Berlin · Ferenc Fricsay – Petite Symphonie Concertante / Variations On A Theme Of Paganini Op.26 / Capriccio For Orchestra Op.2	1958	Deutsche Grammophon
46	Boris Blacher - Hans Rosbaud, Berliner Philharmoniker, Gerty Herzog – Concertante Musik Für Orchester Op. 10 / Zweites Konzert Für Klavier Und Orchester Op. 42	1956	Deutsche Grammophon
47	The Louisville Orchestra, Vincent Persichetti, Boris Blacher, Robert Sanders (2), Robert Whitney – Symphony For Strings / Little Symphony No. 2 In B Flat / Studie In Pianissimo(LP)	1955	First Edition Records
48	The RIAS Symphony Orchestra, Berlin / Ferenc Fricsay / Blacher / von Einem / Fortner / Hartmann / Liebermann – New Directions In Music And Sound Vol. 1 - Contemporary European Orchestral Music(LP, Album, Mono)	1955	Decca
49	Boris Blacher, RIAS Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay – Orchestervariationen über Ein Thema von N. Paganini, Op. 26(Shellac, 10", 78 RPM)	1951	Deutsche Grammophon
50	Boris Blacher, Alexander Tcherepnin, Gerhart Von Westermann – Klaviertrios(LP, Stereo)	-	Da Camera Magna
51	Bela Bartok / Boris Blacher - RIAS Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay, Rudolf Schulz – Deux Portraits / Orchester-Variationen(LP, 10")	-	Deutsche Grammophon
52	Antoinette Vischer - Berio / Blacher / Brown / Ellington / Engelmann / Libermann / Martinů ,/ Solal / Tscherepnin – Le Clavecin Moderne(LP, Album)	-	WERGO
53	Boris Blacher / Heinz Friedrich Hartig / Siegfried Borris – Deutsche Musik Der Gegenwart Serie I/3(LP)	-	Deutsche Grammophon
54	The Louisville Orchestra, Francis Poulenc, Darius Milhaud, Boris Blacher – The Louisville Orchestra(LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo)	-	First Edition Records

Videos featuring Boris Blacher

Boris Blacher Allegro net

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Boris Blacher: Elektronische Impulse (1965)

Boris Blacher (1903-1975): Elektronische Impulse, per nastro magnetico (1965)

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