Holliger, Heinz (1939– )

Swiss oboist and composer. He has created avant-garde works in a lyric expressionist style, including Siebengesang/Sevensong (1967) for amplified oboe, voices, and orchestra. He has given first performances of works written for him by Luciano Berio, Ernst Krenek, Hans Werner Henze, and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

His compositions include his Scardanelli Cycle for chorus, flute, and orchestra (1991); the opera Snow White (1998); Partita (2001); and the song cycle Puneigä (2002).

He studied oboe, piano, and composition in Bern, Switzerland, and Paris, France. He has won several prizes for his oboe playing.

Works Opera Snow White (1998).

Vocal cantata Himmel und Erde for tenor and chamber group (1961), Studie for soprano, oboe, and cello with harpsichord; chamber operas Come and Go (1977) and What Where (1988); song cycle Puneigä (2002).

Instrumental and chamber Improvisation for oboe, harp, and 12 string instruments (1963), Pneuma for 34 wind instruments and percussion (1970), Engführung for chamber orchestra (1984), Der ferne Klang for ensemble (1984), Tonscherben for orchestra (1985), Scardanelli-Zglus 1–4 (1975–91); sonata for oboe and piano, sonata for oboe solo, string quartet (1975); Scardanelli Cycle for chorus, flute, and orchestra (1991).