Halffter, Cristóbal (1930– )

Spanish composer. His music tends towards total serialism. In 1962 he became professor of composition at Madrid Conservatory. He was a lecturer at the University of Navarra 1970–78, and was appointed director of the electronic music studio at Freiburg im Breislau, Germany, in 1978.

He is the nephew of the brothers Ernesto and Rodolfo Halffter. He studied with Conrado del Campo and Alexandre Tansman.

Works Stage opera Don Quichotte (produced Düsseldorf, 1970); ballet Saeta.

Choral cantata In expectatione resurrectionis Domini (1962), Antifona pascual for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, Dona nobis pacem for mixed chorus and ensemble (1984).

Orchestral concertino for string orchestra, Sinfonia for three instrumental groups (1963), Cinco microformas for orchestra, Dos movimientos for timpani and string orchestra, cello concerto (1974), violin concerto (1979), two cello concertos (1979, 1985), Sinfonia ricercata for organ and orchestra (1982), flute concerto (1982), concerto for violin, viola, and orchestra (1984), piano concerto (1988).

Other instrumental Espejos for four percussionists and tape (1963), Misa ducal, Tres piezas for string quartet, Formantes for two pianos, Tres piezas for solo flute, sonata for solo violin.