Beck, Conrad (1901–1989)

Swiss composer. After studying engineering, he became a student at the Zürich Conservatory under Volkmar Andreae and others; later he studied in Berlin, Germany, and Paris, France, where he lived 1923–32 and was closely in touch with Albert Roussel and Arthur Honegger. He was awarded important prizes for composition in 1954, 1956, and 1964.

Works Opera La Grande Ourse (1936).

Theatre incidental music for Goethe's Pandora (1945) and other plays.

Oratorios Angelus Silesius, Der Tod zu Basel.

Vocal Requiem; Der Tod des Oedipus for chorus and orchestra (1928); Lyric Cantata (Rilke) for female voices and orchestra; chamber cantata (sonnets by Louise Labé).

Orchestral five symphonies (1925–30), Sinfonietta, Innominata, and Ostinato for orchestra; concerto for string quartet and orchestra; concerto, concertino, and rhapsody for piano and orchestra; cello concerto.

Chamber Konzertmusik for oboe and strings; five string quartets (1922–52).