Riegger, Wallingford (1885-1961)

US composer. He wrote several ballet scores in the 1930s, but later composed in an atonal idiom.

He studied in New York and Berlin, with Percy Goetschius (1853-1943), Edgar Stillman-Kelley, Max Bruch, and others. After conducting in Germany, he returned to the USA, where he held various teaching appointments.

Works Orchestral and chamber La Belle Dame sans merci (Keats) for four voices and chamber orchestra (1924); four symphonies (1943-57); Dichotomy and Scherzo for chamber orchestra; Study in Sonority for ten violins; two string quartets (1939, 1948), piano trio, Divertissement for harp, flute, and cello, three Canons for woodwind and other chamber music; Suite for solo flute.

Other American Polonaise-Triple Jazz (1922), Rhapsody, Fantasy and Fugue (1955), Lyric Suite, two Dance Suites, Canon and Fugue, and other pieces for orchestra, various works for dancers.