Johannes Paul Thilman

Johannes Paul Thilman (January 11, 1906 - January 29, 1973)^[1] was a German composer.

Life

Thilman, who actually wanted to become a teacher, encountered music at the age of 18 and taught himself initially. After a private lesson with Paul Hindemith and Hermann Scherchen, he attended the Leipzig Conservatory in 1929 and studied Composition with Hermann Grabner. The first performances of his works took place after he finished his studies in 1931. They were performed in Donaueschingen by his teacher, Hindemith. In the year 1940, he became the instructor of composition at the "Carl Maria von Weber" School of Music in his hometown, Dresden. He was a professor there from the year 1956 until he became an Emeritus professor in 1968. Among his students were composers Friedrich Goldmann and Udo Zimmermann. Besides his academic activities, he was also involved in the music life of Dresden. In 1960, Thilman coveted the National Prize of East Germany.

Style

Thilman was a conservative Composer. His music is tonal and refers to the form and harmony of Romantic music. His melody is always catchy and uncomplicated. Thilman was particularly inspired by folk music. This influence can be heard clearly in many of his works. Most of his works are kept short. Generally, his tone is fresh and uncomplicated rather than dramatic. Undoubtedly, Thilman oriented his works towards the aesthetics of the Socialist realism. In his later works, he often chose unusual settings and freer forms for his works. Thilman was very respected in East Germany. His Symphony no. 4 was particularly popular. Today, however, he is mostly forgotten.

Works

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• Orchestral works
  • Symphony No. 1
  • Symphony No. 2
  • Symphony No. 3 in F Major op.61 (?)
  • Symphony No. 4 in d minor op.64 (1954)^[2]
  • Symphony No.5 Sinfonie in einem satz op.79 (by 1957)^[3]
  • Symphony No.6 E Major op.92 (1959)
  • Symphony No.7 A Major op.101 (1962)
  • 3 Little Symphonies (G-Major op.56/2, F-Major op.60, D-Major op.63)
  • Ode, for large orchestra (1968)^[4]
  • Partita piccola op.43 for chamber orchestra (1948)^[4]
  • Music for Strings (1960)
  • Scores of smaller orchestral works
  • "Peter Schlemihl", Ballett (1965)
• Concertos
  • Concertino for Piano (left hand) and orchestra op.65
  • Concerto for 2 pianos and orchestra (1968)
  • Concerto for Bass clarinet, Piano, Strings and drum set (1968)
  • Concerto piccolo for harpsichord and small Orchestra (or piano and chamber orchestra)^[5]
  • Violin concerto op.59 (published 1957)^[6]
  • Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra op.66
  • Concertino giocoso for trombone and Orchestra op.47
• Vocal music
  • "Das deutsche Tagewerk", Cantata
  • "Dresdner Kantate"
  • Songs
• Chamber music
  • Das kleine requiem op. 27 for cor anglais, alto saxophone, viola and piano^[7][8]
  • Sonatine for String Quartet op.49^[9]
  • String Quartet No.1
  • String Quartet No.2 op.62 (1954)^[2]
  • String Quartet No.3 D Major op.81
  • String Quartet No.4 op.84 in one Movement
  • String Quartet No.5 (1970)
  • Piano Quintet (1955)
  • Piano Quartet (No.2 op.70)
  • Piano Trio (1963)
  • 2 Violin sonatas (op.50, op.80)^[4]
  • Sextet for woodwinds and strings op. 74
  • Clarinet Quintet op.73
  • Aspekte for Flute, Viola and Harp
  • 4 Gespräche for Flutes, Bass clarinet and Piano (1965)
  • Trio Piccolo for Alto Flute, Bass Clarinet and Viola, op. 90.^[4]
  • Concerti espressivi for Trombone, timpani und piano (1966)
  • 6 Duets for Violin and Viola
• Piano music
  • 2 Sonatas (d minor, f minor) op.30 (1946)
  • Sonatina patetica op.39 (1947)
  • Händel-Variations op.1 (1934)
  • 10 New Inventions op.86 (1958)
  • Sommerabend am Schwarzen Meer (1970)
  • 5 Inventions for four hands Piano (1949)
  • Other small pieces

References