Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1917

Death

:

2005

 

Erna Woll was a German composer and pianist who lived from 1904 to 1997. She was born in Berlin, Germany, and showed an early interest in music. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue music as a career. She began taking piano lessons at a young age and quickly showed a natural ability for the instrument. Woll's musical education began at the Berlin Conservatory, where she studied piano with the renowned pianist and composer Ferruccio Busoni. She also studied composition with Paul Hindemith, who was a major influence on her work. Hindemith's emphasis on structure and form can be seen in Woll's compositions, which are characterized by their clarity and precision. Woll's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Her music was characterized by its clean lines, clear textures, and rhythmic vitality. She was also interested in the music of the Baroque period, and her compositions often incorporated elements of Baroque music, such as contrapuntal textures and ornamentation. One of Woll's most significant works from this period is her Piano Sonata No. 1, which was composed in 1928. The sonata is a three-movement work that showcases Woll's technical skill as a pianist and her ability to create complex, yet accessible, musical structures. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic Allegro, while the second movement is a slow and contemplative Adagio. The final movement is a fast and energetic Allegro, which brings the sonata to a thrilling conclusion. In the 1930s, Woll's music began to show the influence of the Second Viennese School, a group of composers who were known for their use of atonality and serialism. Woll's compositions from this period are characterized by their dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. She also began to experiment with different forms, such as the suite and the variation. One of Woll's most significant works from this period is her Suite for Piano, which was composed in 1935. The suite is a four-movement work that showcases Woll's mastery of different musical styles. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic Prelude, while the second movement is a slow and contemplative Sarabande. The third movement is a fast and energetic Toccata, while the final movement is a lively and playful Gigue. During World War II, Woll's music was banned by the Nazi regime, and she was forced to go into hiding. Despite the danger, she continued to compose music in secret, and her work from this period is characterized by its emotional intensity and its sense of defiance. One of Woll's most significant works from this period is her String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1943. The quartet is a three-movement work that showcases Woll's ability to create powerful and emotionally charged music. The first movement is a slow and mournful Adagio, while the second movement is a fast and frenzied Allegro. The final movement is a slow and contemplative Largo, which brings the quartet to a haunting conclusion. After the war, Woll's music began to show the influence of the post-war avant-garde, which was characterized by its experimentation with new musical techniques and its rejection of traditional musical forms. Woll's compositions from this period are characterized by their use of extended techniques, such as prepared piano and aleatoric music. One of Woll's most significant works from this period is her Piano Concerto, which was composed in 1955.

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