Zimmermann, Bernd Alois (1918–1970)

German composer. He is widely known for his expressionist opera Die Soldaten, which employs film, electronics, mime, and other avant-garde effects.

Zimmerman studied music in Cologne with Heinrich Lemacher (1891–1966) and Philipp Jarnach. He also studied linguistics and philosophy at the Universities of Bonn, Cologne, and Berlin. He taught at Cologne University 1950–52 and at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne from 1958. He committed suicide.

Works Stage the opera Die Soldaten (1965); ballets Kontraste (1953) and Alagoana (1955);

Orchestral symphonies; concertos for violin, oboe, and cello; concerto for string orchestra (1948); Photoptosis prelude for orchestra (1968), Stille und Umkehr sketches for orchestra (1970).

Other cantata Lob der Torheit (1948), Die Soldaten, vocal symphony from opera (1959); Requiem for a Young Poet (1969).