Hauer, Josef (Matthias) (1883–1959)

Austrian composer. He published a series of pamphlets on composition according to his own 12-note system, which was different from that of Arnold Schoenberg. All his works use this system, which is based on groups of notes he called Tropen, derived from the combinations of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale allowed by the agreement of their overtones.

Works Stage opera Salammbô (after Flaubert, 1929; performed Vienna, 1983); play with music Die schwarze Spinne (after Jeremias Gotthelf, 1932; performed Vienna, 1966); music for Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound and tragedies by Sophocles.

Vocal Mass for chorus, organ, and orchestra; cantata Wandlungen; Vom Leben recitation with singing voices and chamber orchestra for broadcasting; six song cycles to poems by Hölderlin and other songs.

Orchestral sinfonietta, eight suites, seven Dance Fantasies (1928), Concert Piece, Apocalyptic Fantasy (1913), Kyrie and other pieces for orchestra; symphony for strings, harmonium, and piano; violin concerto, piano concerto.

Chamber and instrumental six string quartets (1924–26), quintet for clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano; many piano pieces including two sets of studies and pieces on Hölderlin titles; about 87 Zwölftonspiele for different instruments and instrumental combinations.