Reimann, Aribert (1936– )

German composer and pianist. Many of his works are inspired by literature; his best-known work is the opera Lear (1978), after Shakespeare's King Lear.

He studied with Boris Blacher in Berlin. His early music uses serial technique, but he renounced this kind of composition in 1967, turning to literary sources for a musical starting point, including Shakespeare, Strindberg, Kafka (Das Schloss), Euripides (Troades), Günther Grass, Byron, Edgar Allan Poe, and even Sylvia Plath. He gave frequent recitals and made recordings with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau until his retirement in 1992.

Works Opera and stage the operas Traumspiel (after Strindberg's Dream Play, 1965), Melusine (1971), Gespenstersonate (after Strindberg's Ghost Sonata, 1984), Troades (1986), and Das Schloss (1991); the ballet Stoffreste (1957, revised as Die Vogelscheuchen/The Scarecrows, 1970).

Orchestral two piano concertos (1961, 1972), cello concerto (1959), Totentanze for baritone and orchestra (1960), Hölderlin-Fragmente for soprano and orchestra (1963), Inane monologue for soprano and orchestra (1969), Requiem Wolkenloses Christfest/Cloudless Christmas for baritone, cello, and orchestra (1974); the symphony Lear for baritone and orchestra (1980), Chacun sa Chimère for soprano, mezzo, baritone, and orchestra (1982); Apocalyptic Fragment for mezzo, piano, and orchestra (1987); I Fragmente for orchestra (1988); concerto for violin, cello, and orchestra (1989); nine pieces for orchestra (1994).

Chamber and vocal trio for violin, viola, and cello (1987); Shine and Dark for baritone and piano (1990); Lines for soprano and 14 instruments (after Shelley, 1973); Unrevealed for baritone and string quartet (1980).