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Stephan Hodel was a Swiss composer and pianist who was born on August 22, 1953, in Zurich, Switzerland. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Hodel started playing the piano at a young age and showed great talent and passion for music. He went on to study music at the Zurich Conservatory, where he received his diploma in piano performance in 1975. After completing his studies, Hodel began his career as a pianist, performing in various concerts and recitals throughout Switzerland and Europe. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in composing music. He began studying composition with the renowned Swiss composer Klaus Huber and later with the German composer Helmut Lachenmann. Hodel's early works were heavily influenced by the avant-garde music of the 20th century, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and his disciples. However, he soon developed his own unique style, which combined elements of modernism with traditional tonality and melodic writing. One of Hodel's early works, "Sonata for Piano," was composed in 1978 and premiered the following year. The piece is characterized by its complex rhythms and dissonant harmonies, which reflect Hodel's interest in avant-garde music. However, the piece also features moments of lyrical beauty and expressive melody, which demonstrate Hodel's ability to combine modernist techniques with traditional tonality. In the 1980s, Hodel began to gain recognition as a composer, with his works being performed by various orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe. One of his most notable works from this period is "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra," which was composed in 1985 and premiered the following year. The piece is characterized by its virtuosic violin writing and its use of unconventional techniques, such as glissandi and harmonics. However, the piece also features moments of lyrical beauty and expressive melody, which demonstrate Hodel's ability to combine modernist techniques with traditional tonality. In the 1990s, Hodel's style began to evolve, with his works becoming more tonal and melodic. One of his most notable works from this period is "Symphony No. 1," which was composed in 1992 and premiered the following year. The piece is characterized by its lush orchestration and its use of traditional tonality and melody. However, the piece also features moments of dissonance and rhythmic complexity, which reflect Hodel's interest in modernist techniques. Hodel continued to compose throughout the 2000s and 2010s, with his works being performed by various orchestras and ensembles throughout the world. One of his most notable works from this period is "Piano Concerto No. 2," which was composed in 2008 and premiered the following year. The piece is characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and its use of unconventional techniques, such as prepared piano and extended techniques. However, the piece also features moments of lyrical beauty and expressive melody, which demonstrate Hodel's ability to combine modernist techniques with traditional tonality. In addition to his work as a composer, Hodel was also a respected music educator. He taught composition and piano at the Zurich Conservatory and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts. He also served as a guest lecturer at various universities and conservatories throughout Europe.

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