Wilhelm Killmayer facts for kids

Wilhelm Killmayer (born August 21, 1927 – died August 20, 2017) was a famous German composer. He wrote classical music, conducted orchestras, and taught music at a university. From 1973 to 1992, he was a professor of composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München in Munich.

Killmayer created many symphonies and song cycles. These song cycles were often based on poems by famous writers. Some of these poets included Friedrich Hölderlin, Joseph von Eichendorff, and Georg Trakl.

Early Life and Education

Wilhelm Killmayer was born in Munich, Germany, on August 21, 1927. He started studying music right after World War II. From 1945 to 1951, he learned how to conduct and compose music. He attended a special music seminar in Munich.

At the same time, he also studied at Munich University. There, he learned about musicology, which is the study of music history and theory. He also studied German literature. Later, he became a private student of the famous composer Carl Orff in 1951. Killmayer was even chosen to join Orff's advanced class in 1953. He also received special scholarships to study in Rome, Italy, in 1958 and 1965.

Killmayer's Music Career

Killmayer began his teaching career in 1955. He taught music theory in Munich. From 1961 to 1964, he worked as a conductor for the Bavarian State Opera's ballet performances. This was a big role, helping dancers perform to music.

Later, from 1973 to 1992, he became a professor. He taught composition at the Hochschule für Musik. Many students learned from him, including Moritz Eggert and Sandeep Bhagwati.

Early Compositions and Recognition

One of Killmayer's first important pieces was Lorca-Romanzen. This work was based on poems by Federico García Lorca. It was first performed at the Donaueschingen Festival, which is a well-known music event.

Orchestral Works and Symphonies

Killmayer wrote three main symphonies. They are called Fogli (1968), Ricordanze (1968/69), and Menschen-Los (1972/73). He also composed other pieces for orchestras. These included Nachtgedanken (1973) and Fin al punto (1970). Fin al punto was written for a string orchestra.

He also created music for smaller groups of instruments. These pieces included The woods so wilde (1970) and Kindertage (1973).

Stage Works and Operas

Killmayer also wrote music for the stage. His works La Buffonata (1959/60) and Yolimba (1970) were based on stories by Tankred Dorst. These were often ballet operas or musical plays.

Song Cycles and Vocal Music

Killmayer loved poetry and the human voice. He wrote over 200 Lieder, which are German songs. He created three cycles of Hölderlin-Lieder in the 1980s. These were based on poems by Friedrich Hölderlin.

He also composed song cycles using poems by Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff and Georg Trakl. Killmayer also wrote ballads, which are songs that tell a story. Examples include Ali Bey (2006) and Der Feuerreiter (2007). Wilhelm Killmayer passed away in Starnberg.

Awards and Honors

Wilhelm Killmayer received many awards for his musical talent. In 1954, he won the Fromm Music Foundation Award. This was for his piece called Missa brevis.

He became a member of the Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste in 1972. This is a respected academy for arts in Bavaria. In 1980, he also joined the Academy of Arts, Berlin. In 1990, he was the very first person to receive the Hindemith Prize. This award comes from the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival.

In 1994, he was honored at the Rheingau Musik Festival. He was featured as a "Composer Portrait." In 2003, he received the Musikpreis der Landeshauptstadt München. This is a music prize from his hometown of Munich. His last major award was in 2010, the Prize of the Christoph and Stephan Kaske Foundation.

Major Works by Killmayer

Killmayer's musical works were published by Schott Music.

Stage Works

• La Buffonata (1959/60) – A ballet opera with a story by Tankred Dorst.
• La Tragedia di Orfeo (1960/61) – Based on an old story by Angelo Poliziano.
• Yolimba oder Die Grenzen der Magie (1963, revised 1970) – Another work with a story by Tankred Dorst.

Vocal Music

• Acht Shakespeare-Lieder (1955) – Eight songs based on Shakespeare's words.
• Geistliche Hymnen und Gesänge (1964) – Sacred hymns for a choir.
• Drei Gesänge nach Hölderlin (1965) – Three songs based on poems by Hölderlin.
• Tre Canti di Leopardi (1965)
• Französisches Liederbuch (1979/80) – A French songbook for singers and instruments.
• Hölderlin-Lieder (1982–1987) – Song cycles for tenor and orchestra.

Orchestral Music

• Konzert (1955) – A concerto for piano and orchestra.
• Divertissement (1957) – A light and entertaining piece for orchestra.
• Sinfonia I: Fogli (First Symphony, 1968)
• Sinfonia II: Ricordanze (Second Symphony, 1968/69)
• Fin al punto (1970) – For string orchestra.
• Symphonie III: Menschen-Los (Third Symphony, 1972/73, revised 1988)
• Nachtgedanken (1973) – "Night Thoughts" for orchestra.
• Jugendzeit (1977) – A symphonic poem about youth.
• Überstehen und Hoffen (1977/78) – "Overcoming and Hoping," another symphonic poem.
• Orchester-Melodien (2004) – Melodies for orchestra.
• Dithyramben (2006) – A lively piece for orchestra.

Chamber Music

• Kammermusik (1957) – Chamber music for jazz instruments.
• Führe mich, Alter, nur immer in deinen geschnörkelten Frühlings-Garten! Noch duftet und taut frisch und gewürzig sein Flor (1974) – A long-titled piece for a small group of instruments.
• 8 Bagatelles (1990/91) – Short, light pieces for cello and piano.

Recordings of Killmayer's Music

Many of Wilhelm Killmayer's works have been recorded. This allows people to listen to his music even today.

• Missa brevis – Recorded in 1957.
• fin al punto / Poèmes symphoniques – Includes his string orchestra piece and symphonic poems.
• Wilhelm Killmayer: Chamber Music – A collection of his chamber works.
• Wilhelm Killmayer: Sinfonien 1–3; La Joie de Vivre; Nachtgedanken – A recording of his three symphonies and other orchestral pieces.