Wolfgang Fortner
Country of origin:
Germany
Birthday:
October 12, 1907
Date of death:
September 5, 1987
About Wolfgang Fortner
Wolfgang Fortner was born in Leipzig on 12 October 1907. He learnt piano and organ at school and attended many concerts at the Leipzig Konzertverein which exclusively performed contemporary music. In 1927, Fortner began to study composition with Hermann Grabner and organ with Karl Straube at the Leipzig Conservatoire. At the same time, he studied musicology with Theodor Kroyer as well as philosophy and German philology at the University of Leipzig; in 1931, he qualified as a teacher and took a position at lecturing in composition and music theory at the Evangelisches Kirchenmusikalisches Institut in Heidelberg where he taught intermittently until 1954. He then served as a professor of composition at the Detmold Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie until 1957 and at the Freiburg Staatliche Hochschule für Musik from 1957 until 1973, setting up the Institute for New Music there in 1964. Another important station of his extensive teaching activities was the Darmstadt International Summer Course for New Music, founded in 1946, over which Fortner had considerable influence until the late fifties.
As one of the most important composition teachers in post-war Germany and as a result of his numerous international guest lectures, Fortner had a strong influence on a younger generation of composers. Among his pupils were Hans Werner Henze, Milko Kelemen, Rudolf Kelterborn, Arghyris Kounadis, Nam June Paik, Robert HP Platz, Rolf Riehm, Wolfgang Rihm, Manfred Stahnke, Wilfried Steinbrenner, Hans Zender, and Bernd Alois Zimmermann.
In 1935 Fortner founded the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra and in conjunction with South German Radio set up the concert series musica viva in 1947. He succeeded Karl Amadeus Hartmann in becoming director of the musica viva concerts of the Bavarian Radio in Munich, and together with Ernst Thomas ran the series until 1978.
In 1950 Wolfgang Fortner was appointed a member of GEMA’s advisory board. In 1955 he became a member of the Berlin Academy of the Arts, and a year later a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. In addition, he served for 14 years (1957-71) as president of the German section of the International Society for New Music. In 1975, the German Dramatists' Union, Germany's oldest writers' federation, elected him president.
As early as 1929, whilst still a student, Fortner concluded a contract for Die vier marianischen Antiphonen which marked the beginning of his professional relationship with Schott. His opera Bluthochzeit after Federico García Lorca (world premiere in Cologne in 1957) became one of the most successful operas after 1945. Fortner's development as a composer ranges from the beginnings of neoclassicism via the application of serial techniques, the incorporation of structures of the medieval isorhythmical motet (Machaut-Balladen, 1973), jazz elements (e.g. in Mouvements, 1953) or orchestral improvisations (In seinem Garten liebt Don Perlimplín Belisa, Elisabeth Tudor) to his last opera That Time after Samuel Beckett (world premiere in Baden-Baden in 1977) in which he used live electronics.
The ballet Carmen-Bizet-Collagen was written by Fortner (in collaboration with Wilfried Steinbrenner) in 1970, based on an idea by the director of the Stuttgart Ballet, John Cranco, who had been inspired to write the libretto by the conciseness of rhythm of Fortner's music.
For his artistic œuvre and his commitment to political and cultural issues, Fortner received numerous honours and awards, including the Schreker Prize of Berlin in 1948, the Spohr Prize of Braunschweig in 1953, the Great Arts Award of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1955, as well as the Bach Prize of Hamburg in 1960, and the Reinhold Schneider Prize of Freiburg in 1977. On the occasion of his 70th anniversary in 1977, he was awarded the Grand Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and honorary doctorates by the universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg. Furthermore, he was given the Golden Needle of the Dramatists' Union and the Richard Benz Medal of Heidelberg.
Wolfgang Fortner died in Heidelberg on 5 September 1987.
As one of the most important composition teachers in post-war Germany and as a result of his numerous international guest lectures, Fortner had a strong influence on a younger generation of composers. Among his pupils were Hans Werner Henze, Milko Kelemen, Rudolf Kelterborn, Arghyris Kounadis, Nam June Paik, Robert HP Platz, Rolf Riehm, Wolfgang Rihm, Manfred Stahnke, Wilfried Steinbrenner, Hans Zender, and Bernd Alois Zimmermann.
In 1935 Fortner founded the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra and in conjunction with South German Radio set up the concert series musica viva in 1947. He succeeded Karl Amadeus Hartmann in becoming director of the musica viva concerts of the Bavarian Radio in Munich, and together with Ernst Thomas ran the series until 1978.
In 1950 Wolfgang Fortner was appointed a member of GEMA’s advisory board. In 1955 he became a member of the Berlin Academy of the Arts, and a year later a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. In addition, he served for 14 years (1957-71) as president of the German section of the International Society for New Music. In 1975, the German Dramatists' Union, Germany's oldest writers' federation, elected him president.
As early as 1929, whilst still a student, Fortner concluded a contract for Die vier marianischen Antiphonen which marked the beginning of his professional relationship with Schott. His opera Bluthochzeit after Federico García Lorca (world premiere in Cologne in 1957) became one of the most successful operas after 1945. Fortner's development as a composer ranges from the beginnings of neoclassicism via the application of serial techniques, the incorporation of structures of the medieval isorhythmical motet (Machaut-Balladen, 1973), jazz elements (e.g. in Mouvements, 1953) or orchestral improvisations (In seinem Garten liebt Don Perlimplín Belisa, Elisabeth Tudor) to his last opera That Time after Samuel Beckett (world premiere in Baden-Baden in 1977) in which he used live electronics.
The ballet Carmen-Bizet-Collagen was written by Fortner (in collaboration with Wilfried Steinbrenner) in 1970, based on an idea by the director of the Stuttgart Ballet, John Cranco, who had been inspired to write the libretto by the conciseness of rhythm of Fortner's music.
For his artistic œuvre and his commitment to political and cultural issues, Fortner received numerous honours and awards, including the Schreker Prize of Berlin in 1948, the Spohr Prize of Braunschweig in 1953, the Great Arts Award of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1955, as well as the Bach Prize of Hamburg in 1960, and the Reinhold Schneider Prize of Freiburg in 1977. On the occasion of his 70th anniversary in 1977, he was awarded the Grand Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and honorary doctorates by the universities of Heidelberg and Freiburg. Furthermore, he was given the Golden Needle of the Dramatists' Union and the Richard Benz Medal of Heidelberg.
Wolfgang Fortner died in Heidelberg on 5 September 1987.
Worklist
Gallery
photo: H. Zemann
photo: Peter Andersen
photo: Strobel
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Chronology
1907
Wolfgang Fortner was born on 12 October in Leipzig; he was nine when he first started composing, and had both piano and organ lessons whilst at school.
1927-31
Fortner studied at the Konservatorium in Leipzig (composition with Hermann Grabner, a pupil of Max Reger and organ with Karl Straube), and went on to the University of Leipzig where he studied Musicology with Theodor Kroyer, Philosophy with Hans Driesch and German studies with Hermann August Korff.
1929
5 April: The contract for "Vier Marianische Antiphonen" for choir and orchestra (1928) inaugurated Fortner’s professional relationship with Schott.
1931
Fortner finished his studies as a qualified teacher and became lecturer in composition and music theory at the Evangelische Kirchenmusikalische Institut of the Badische Landeskirche in Heidelberg (today called the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Heidelberg), a post he holds until 1954 – only interrupted during the war.
1935
Fortner founded the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra
1946
Fortner and Wolfgang Steinecke (the former culture consultant and director for culture in Darmstadt) participated at the inauguration of the "Kranichsteiner Ferienkurse für Neue Musik" (today the International Holiday Course for New Music Darmstadt); Fortner lectured at the course until the late 50s.
1947
Wolfgang Fortner worked in collaboration with the Süddeutscher Rundfunk in Heidelberg to set up the concert series "Musica Viva"
1948
Schreker Prize, City of Berlin
1950
GEMA invites Fortner to become a member on its advisory council.
1953
Spohr Prize, City of Braunschweig
1954-57
Fortner took a teaching post as Professor for Composition at the Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie Detmold.
1955
The Academy of Arts Berlin (west) invited Fortner to become a member – he later became chairman for music.
1955
Major Art Prize from Nordrhein-Westfalen
1956
Fortner was invited to become a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Art.
1957-73
Fortner took a position as Professor of Composition at the State High School for Music in Freiburg im Breisgau; 1964, the school set up the Institute for New Music at Fortner’s suggestion.
1957-71
Fortner was president of the ISCM (International Society for Contemporary Music).
1960
Bach Prize of the Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg (following Paul Hindemith 1951, Philipp Jarnach 1954, and Boris Blacher 1957)
1964
Fortner succeeded Karl Amadeus Hartmann as the director of "musica viva" in Munich; together with Ernst Thomas, he ran the concert series until 1978.
1975
The Dramatiker-Union, Germany's oldest foundation for writers (founded in 1871 in Leipzig), named Fortner as president.
1975
Having dedicated so much of his life to teaching, Fortner helped and guided many younger generations of composers. His pupils (amongst others) include: Hans Werner Henze, Rudolf Kelterborn, Gottfried Schnabel, Peter Westergaard, Friedhelm Döhl, Arghyris Kounadis, Nam June Paik, Robert HP Platz, Manfred Stahnke, Wilfried Steinbrenner and Hans Zender.
1975
Guest lectures led him to Austria, Térésopolis (Brasil) and to Tanglewood, Massachusetts where he directed courses with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
1977
Reinhold-Schneider-Preis, Freiburg im Breisgau
1977
Honours given on his 70th Birthday 1977: Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the highest decoration awarded for service in Germany; An honoury doctorate from the Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg and the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg; Freeman of the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Heidelberg–Mannheim; Richard-Benz medal for Art and Science, Heidelberg; Badge of honour from the Dramatiker-Union
1987
Wolfgang Fortner died on September 5 in Heidelberg. The Wolfgang Fortner collection can be found in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich.
Products
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für sieben Sänger und OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 7 singers and orchestraLanguage: Vocalises
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Set of partsSeries: 2. Streichquartett
Instrumentation: String quartetProduct number: ED 3176In stock€35.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: violin, viola and celloProduct number: ED 7277In stock€22.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Set of partsSeries: 3. Streichquartett
Instrumentation: String quartetProduct number: ED 4120In stock€24.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: 3. Streichquartett
Instrumentation: String quartetProduct number: ED 4102In stock€17.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Performing scoreInstrumentation: string quartetProduct number: ED 6663In stock€24.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Kantate nach dem gleichnamigen Gedicht von Bertolt BrechtComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: speakers, tenor-solo, for four parter mixed choir (SATB) and orchestraLanguage: German
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nach Worten von T. S. Eliot aus dem Drama "Mord im Dom"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: Mezzosoprano or alto, flute, solo-viola and harpsichord or chamber orchestraLanguage: German
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Musik für Oboe und OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: oboe and orchestra
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Music for Oboe and OrchestraComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Music Of Our Time
Aulodie
Instrumentation: oboe and orchestraProduct number: ED 6312In stock€29.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
für 2 Solo-Violinen und StreichorchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 2 solo-violins and string orchestra
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aus "Chant de naissance"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: solo-soprano, solo-violin and string orchestraLanguage: French
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aus "Chant de naissance"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano and instrumental-ensemble (7 player)Language: French
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zur 500-Jahr-Feier der Universität FreiburgComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: wind band
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Zwischenspiele aus der lyrischen Tragödie von Federíco García LorcaComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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Zwischenspiele aus der lyrischen Tragödie von Federíco García LorcaComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Bluthochzeit
Instrumentation: large orchestraProduct number: ED 5032In stock€22.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
für großes OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: flute (also Piccolo), oboe and bassoonProduct number: ED 6935In stock€24.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Piano reduction with solo partSeries: Konzert
Instrumentation: cello and orchestraProduct number: ED 4343In stock€28.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Product TypeIn stockAs low as €13.99Incl. Tax
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Kantate nach Worten von Saint-John PerseComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: solo-soprano, solo-violin and string orchestra, for five parter mixed choir (SSATB), wind instruments percussion and harpLanguage: French
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Kantate nach Worten von Saint-John PerseComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Chant de naissance
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SSATB) with soprano solo, violin solo and orchestraLanguage: FrenchProduct number: ED 4598In stock€36.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
"Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerEdition: Score, (= vocal score)Series: Schott Choral Music
Der 100. Psalm
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SSATB) with brass (3.2.2.0)Product number: C 40915Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax -
"Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Set of wind partsSeries: Schott Choral Music
Der 100. Psalm
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SSATB) with brass (3.2.2.0)Language: GermanProduct number: C 40916-10 Q38464In stock€15.99Incl. Tax -
"Einen vergänglichen Tag lebt ich"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Choral Music
Instrumentation: men's choir (TTB)Language: GermanProduct number: C 33746 Q9346In stock€1.99Incl. Tax -
nach LukasComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: Tenor-Solo, sechsstimmiger gemischten Chor (SSATBB), 11 Instrumentalisten (oder Kammerorchester) und OrgelLanguage: German
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nach LukasComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Die Pfingstgeschichte
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SSATBB) with tenor solo, organ and chamber orchestraLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 5039In stock€21.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Konzertsuite nach dem Ballett für großes OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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für eine Bass-Stimme (oder Bariton) und OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang Fortner | Hugo Philipp Jakob WolfArranger: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: bass-voice (or baritone) and orchestraLanguage: German
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1. Geistliches Lied "Der Mensch lebt und bestehet"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreInstrumentation: mixed choir (SSAATB)Language: GermanProduct number: C 33570 Q9108In stock€1.99Incl. Tax
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2. Agnus Dei "Es sucht das Lamm die Bitterkeit"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreInstrumentation: mixed choir (SATB)Language: GermanProduct number: C 33571 Q8848In stock€1.99Incl. Tax
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from "Seven Inventions"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Performing scoreInstrumentation: violin and celloProduct number: ED 7174In stock€23.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Product TypeIn stockAs low as €12.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Set of partsSeries: Fünf Bagatellen
Instrumentation: wind quintetProduct number: ED 5177In stock€24.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Fünf Bagatellen
Instrumentation: wind quintetProduct number: ED 5021In stock€16.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
In stock€29.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Kammerkantate nach Worten von Martin Gerhard RaschkeComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: soprano, 7 solo instruments and harpsichord (or piano)Language: German
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für Bassbariton-Solo, gemischten Chor (SATB), elektronische Klänge und OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: Bassbariton-Solo, gemischter Chor (SATB), elektronische Klänge und OrchesterLanguage: Latin
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"Wie Stein mit Meißel ficht"Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Schott Choral Music
Instrumentation: men's choir (TTBB)Language: GermanProduct number: C 33747 Q9401In stock€1.99Incl. Tax -
Kantate nach Worten von Johann Wolfgang von GoetheComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: baritone-solo, fünfstimmiger mixed choir (SSATB) and orchestraLanguage: German
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Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerEdition: Individual part, celloSeries: Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsProduct number: ED 4219-13Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax -
Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerEdition: Individual part, violin ISeries: Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsProduct number: ED 4219-11Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax -
Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerEdition: Choral scoreSeries: Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsProduct number: ED 4219-01Product TypeIn stockAs low as €5.99Incl. Tax -
Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerEdition: Score, (= organ part)Series: Edition Schott
Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsProduct number: ED 4219Product TypeIn stockAs low as €32.99Incl. Tax -
Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, double bassSeries: Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 4219-14In stock€10.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Geistliche AbendmusikComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, violin IISeries: Herr, bleibe bei uns
Instrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) with alto or bass solo, organ or harpsichord and stringsLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 4219-12In stock€10.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Fassung für großes Streichorchester und eine SopranstimmeComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: string orchestra and sopranovoiceLanguage: German
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für Streicher und eine Sopranstimme oder für Streicher alleinComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: strings, sopranovoice or strings aloneLanguage: German
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für großes OrchesterComposer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestra
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Composer: Wolfgang FortnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Impromptus
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ED 4584In stock€21.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping