Wolfgang von Schweinitz

Full biography Wolfgang von Schweinitz

Wolfgang von Schweinitz is a German composer and microtonal theorist, known for his contributions to the development of just intonation. He was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1953 and studied music composition at the University of California at San Diego with Robert Erickson, Pauline Oliveros, and Bernard Rands. He later went on to teach music theory and composition at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California.

Schweinitz's work often utilizes tuning systems based on just intonation, which is a tuning system that uses intervals based on the ratios found in the harmonic series. His music has been performed by many ensembles and musicians around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, and the JACK Quartet. Schweinitz has also collaborated with other composers, performers, and theorists, including Harry Partch, James Tenney, and Easley Blackwood.

Some of Schweinitz's notable works include Plainsound String Trio, Klang, and a series of piano works titled Pi-Hsien Chen. In addition to his work as a composer, Schweinitz has written extensively on microtonal music and just intonation. His writings include articles, essays, and books such as The Tuning of the World: From Sound to Symbol, which examines the relationship between music and the natural world.

Overall, Wolfgang von Schweinitz is a significant figure in the world of microtonal music and just intonation, and his contributions have influenced many composers and musicians working in these areas.