Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

1939

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Jost Meier was a Swiss composer, conductor, and music educator who was born on August 21, 1939, in Zurich, Switzerland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Meier began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and composition with his father. He later studied at the Zurich Conservatory, where he received a diploma in composition in 1962. After completing his studies, Meier worked as a freelance composer and conductor, and also taught music theory and composition at various institutions. In 1968, he was appointed as a lecturer in composition at the Zurich Conservatory, and later became a professor of composition at the Basel Academy of Music. Meier's music is characterized by its clarity, precision, and economy of means. He was influenced by the music of Bach, Mozart, and Stravinsky, and his works often feature contrapuntal textures, rhythmic complexity, and a sense of playfulness. He was also interested in exploring the possibilities of electronic music, and incorporated electronic sounds into some of his compositions. Meier's output as a composer was prolific, and he wrote works in a variety of genres, including orchestral music, chamber music, vocal music, and music for the stage. Some of his most notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra in 1972, and his opera "Der gestiefelte Kater" (Puss in Boots), which was premiered by the Zurich Opera in 1983. Meier was also an accomplished conductor, and led many performances of his own works as well as those of other composers. He was particularly interested in contemporary music, and was a champion of the works of Swiss composers such as Frank Martin and Heinz Holliger. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Meier was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Basel Academy of Music for over 30 years, and was known for his rigorous and demanding approach to teaching. Many of his students went on to successful careers as composers and performers. Meier's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1989, he was awarded the Prix de la Fondation vaudoise pour la culture, and in 1999 he received the Swiss Music Prize. He was also a member of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences. Jost Meier passed away on August 30, 2009, at the age of 70. His legacy as a composer, conductor, and educator continues to be celebrated by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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