Biographical sketch

"One of my compositional principles is to always write for the instruments, for the voices, even for the conductor. It is important to me that my performers enjoy the music and are not overtaxed in an absurd way. This also allows me to reach the listener." This is what Walter Furrer (1902-1978) said about his work in September 1970. At that time, he had already written his major musico-dramatic works: two operas (The faun and Dwarf nose), two large-scale compositions for radio: The mold rider and Quatember night and two ballets. In addition, numerous choruses, songs and song cycles as well as instrumental works such as Three diary sketches for large orchestra, chamber music for flute, oboe and string quartet, music for strings as well as sacred music. In 1957, Furrer founded the chamber choir of Radiostudio Bern, which existed under his direction until 1972. At the age of seventy, he could therefore look back on a thoroughly successful career. His music was performed with great success.

So why was Walter Furrer forgotten after his death in 1978? Unjustly forgotten, according to his daughter Beatrice Wolf-Furrer, who stated in 2014 that he was no longer present in the public consciousness, "although Walter Furrer made a significant contribution to Swiss music of the 20th century". Since then, the doctor of literature has researched in libraries, archives and music circles, founded the "Förderverein Komponist Walter Furrer" in Bern and has now published this richly illustrated 70-page biographical outline. In a short space, she outlines her father's life and highlights the main stages of his creative work, without glossing over the fact that his difficult character made him an outsider even during his lifetime. The documentary could provide an impetus to rediscover Furrer's works.

Beatrice Wolf-Furrer: Walter Furrer - an unjustly forgotten Swiss composer. Biographical outline, M & S No. 2506, 70 p., Fr. 28.00, Müller & Schade, Bern 2018