Blacher, Boris (1903–1975)

German avant-garde composer. After studying in Berlin, he began his career under great difficulties during the Nazi regime, but later became successful as a composer, developing a system of variable metres following arithmetical progressions, upon which many of his works are based. In 1953 he became director of the Berlin Hochschule für Musik.

Works Opera Fürstin Tarakanova (1940), Preussisches Märchen (1949), Abstrakte Oper no. 1 (1953), 200,000 Taler (1969), Das Geheimnis (1975); chamber operas Romeo und Julia (1943, after Shakespeare) Die Flut (1946), Die Nachtschwalbe (1948).

Ballet several ballets including Harlekinade (1939), Lysistrate (1950), Hamlet (1949), Der Mohr von Venedig (1955).

Oratorio scenic oratorio Der Grossinquisitor (after Dostoevsky; 1947).

Orchestral symphony; symphonic poem Hamlet (after Shakespeare); variations on theme by Paganini and other orchestral works; two piano concertos, viola concerto.

Chamber five string quartets (1930–67) and other chamber music.

Other piano music, songs.