Short bio Hugo Weisgall
Full biography Hugo Weisgall
Hugo Weisgall was a Czech-born American composer and conductor, born on October 13, 1912, in Moravia, which is now known as Ivanice in the Czech Republic. He passed away on March 11, 1997, in Manhasset, New York, at the age of 84. Hugo Weisgall is best known for his opera and vocal music compositions.
During his lifetime , Hugo Weisgall wrote a substantial body of music for various media. He is considered by many to be one of America's most important composers. Weisgall wrote a number of operas , including Night, after a play by Sholem Asch, and his final opera, biblical Esther. His choral works reflect his Jewish background , which is an important part of his musical heritage.
Hugo Weisgall is distinguished primarily by his contributions to opera since World War II. He was highly regarded for his ability to write music that impresses solely as music and at the same time mirrors the art , literature, and drama on which it is based. He also served as a conductor and educator, and his students included notable composers such as John Corigliano.
Weisgall's compositions have been compared to a slew of great composers , including Berg and even Beethoven. His song cycle Soldier Songs includes the song "Shiloh : A Requiem," which was inspired by a poem by Herman Melville. Weisgall's Six Characters in Search of an Author is another notable work , which showcases his ability to write impressive and reflective music that mirrors the drama on which it is based.
Overall, Hugo Weisgall was an important figure in American classical music, whose contributions to opera and vocal music continue to be celebrated by musicians and audiences alike.
Compositions featuring Hugo Weisgall
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T'kiatot: Rituals for Rosh Hashana, for orchestra | 26:08 min | Orchestral | 1985 |
| 2 | Arioso & Burlesca, for cello & piano | 8:54 min | Chamber Music | 1984 |
| 3 | The Golden Peacock, popular songs (7) from the Yiddish for voice & piano | 22:06 min | Vocal Music | 1967 |
| 4 | Choral Etudes (4) for a capella chorus | 7:52 min | Choral | 1960 |
| 5 | Six Characters in Search of an Author (after the play by Luigi Pirandello) | 136:41 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1956 |
| 6 | A Garden Eastward, cantata for high voice & orchestra | 15:35 min | Vocal Music | 1953 |
| 7 | The Stronger, opera | 24:40 min | Opera | 1952 |
| 8 | The Tenor, opera | 78:45 min | Opera | 1950 |
| 9 | Songs (4) on poems by Adelaide Crapsey, for voice & piano, Op 01 | 8:09 min | Vocal Music | 1934 |
| 10 | Esther, opera | Opera | - | |
| 11 | Fortress Rock | 1:09 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 12 | My Sweet Old Etcetera, for voice & piano | 2:07 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 13 | Psalm of the Distant Dove, for voice & piano | 18:46 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 14 | Shiloh ("Skimming lightly, wheeling still"), for voice & piano | 2:29 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 15 | Tangents, for flute & percussion | 12:21 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Hugo Weisgall
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Weisgall • Brings • Mandelbaum • Smaldone • Sheng • Schober • Saylor • Kraft, The New York Virtuoso Singers, Harold Rosenbaum, Queens College Choir And Vocal Ensemble, James John (2) – Songs Of Peace And Praise: Choral Music From Queens College(CD, Album) | 2017 | Naxos |
| 2 |  |
Martin Perry (4) - Hugo Weisgall, Paul Hindemith – Weisgall: Piano Sonata / Hindemith: Ludus Tonalis(CD, Album) | 2017 | Bridge Records (4) |
| 3 |  |
The Tenor (Opera In One Act) / The Stronger (Opera In One Act) / The Golden Peacock (Seven Popular Songs From The Yiddish) / Four Songs, Op. 1 (On Poems Of Adelaide Crapsey)(2×CD, Compilation, Remastered) | 1997 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 4 |  |
Six Characters In Search Of An Author(2×CD, Album) | 1994 | New World Records |
| 5 |  |
Song Cycles: The Golden Peacock And Translations(LP, Album) | 1980 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 6 |  |
The Stronger / Fancies And Inventions(LP, Album) | 1975 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 7 |  |
Miriam Gideon, Hugo Weisgall – Vocal Music(LP) | 1975 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 8 |  |
Aaron Copland / Mezzo-Soprano Martha Lipton Piano Aaron Copland - Hugo Weisgall / Soprano Adelaide Bishop, Columbia Chamber Orchestra Conducted By Alfredo Antonini – Twelve Poems Of Emily Dickinson / The Stronger(LP, Mono) | 1956 | Columbia Masterworks |
| 9 |  |
The Tenor(2×LP) | - | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 10 |  |
The Tenor(2×LP, Mono) | - | Westminster |
| 11 |  |
Hugo Weisgall, David Schiff (2), Elie Siegmeister – Jewish Operas Volume(CD, ) | - | Naxos |
Videos featuring Hugo Weisgall
The Stronger: Isn't this a sweet infant?
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
The Stronger: Isn't this a sweet infant? · Vienna State Opera Orchestra · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players · Johanna Meier
Hugo Weisgall: Two Operas and Two Song Cycles
℗ 1997 Anthology of Rec
Miriam Gideon, Hugo Weisgall — American Contemporary Vocal Music (1975 Modern Classical) FULL ALBUM
Label: Composers' Recording Inc.
Side A
Miriam Gideon — Questions on Nature
Miriam Gideon — The Condemned Playground
Side B
Hugo Weisgall — End of Summer
...
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Miriam-Gideon-Hugo-Weisgall-Vocal-Music/release/553891
The Stronger: Why must all his things be this horrid color
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
The Stronger: Why must all his things be this horrid color · Vienna State Opera Orchestra · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players · Johanna Meier
Hugo Weisgall: Two Operas and Two Song Cycles
℗ 199
The Golden Peacock: III. Mayn Harts Veynt in Mir
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
The Golden Peacock: III. Mayn Harts Veynt in Mir · Vienna State Opera Orchestra · Herbert Grossman · Hugo Weisgall · Judith Raskin · Morey Ritt
Hugo Weisgall: Two Operas and Two Song Cycles
℗ 1997 A
The Stronger: And as for Harold
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
The Stronger: And as for Harold · Vienna State Opera Orchestra · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players · Johanna Meier
Hugo Weisgall: Two Operas and Two Song Cycles
℗ 1997 Anthology of Recorded Mus
Fancies and Inventions: I. To Criticks
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: I. To Criticks · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Released
Fancies and Inventions: II. Soft Musicke
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: II. Soft Musicke · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Releas
Fancies and Inventions: III. To Daffadills
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: III. To Daffadills · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Rele
Fancies and Inventions: IV. To His Mistresse Objecting
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: IV. To His Mistresse Objecting · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music
Fancies and Inventions: V. To Cherry Blossomes
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: V. To Cherry Blossomes · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Fancies and Inventions: VI. To the Detracter
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: VI. To the Detracter · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Re
Fancies and Inventions: VII. The Frozen Heart
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: VII. The Frozen Heart · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
R
Fancies and Inventions: VIII. I Call and I Call
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: VIII. I Call and I Call · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
Fancies and Inventions: IX. To Musick, A Song
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Fancies and Inventions: IX. To Musick, A Song · Julian Patrick · Hugo Weisgall · Aeolian Chamber Players
Hugo Weisgall: The Stronger; Fancies and Inventions
℗ 2010 Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc.
R
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