News
In spring 2021, the complete piano works of the Swiss composer Erich Schmid (1907–2000), edited by Christoph Keller, were published by Boosey & Hawkes / Bote & Bock. These two volumes, each containing three works from the years 1926–1943, are part of the Erich Schmid Edition, organized by the Zurich University of the Arts with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Until now, only very little music has been published by this Swiss avant-gardist of the first half of the 20th century. The aim of the Erich Schmid Edition is now to make his oeuvre accessible in historical-critical editions. Erich Schmid was best known as the chief conductor of the Beromünster Radio Orchestra, but had studied with Arnold Schoenberg in his youth and enjoyed an artistic dialogue with Anton Webern. Despite his proximity to the New Viennese School, Schmid brings a very individual color to their spectrum. Even when written in the twelve-note method, his piano pieces are not limited by strict constructivism, but often have a playful, motoric side. With their manageable size and complexity, they allow comparatively easy access to a style that for some players and listeners is still a closed book. Erich Schmid's piano works are available as print or download editions from Schott-Verlag.
© 2009 Christoph Keller. All rights reserved.
