Richard Hervig

Biography

Richard Hervig was born in Iowa in 1917. Following a BA in English (Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD) and some high school teaching (English and music) he studied composition with the late Philip Greeley Clapp at the University of Iowa, receiving the MA in 1941 and PhD degrees in 1947 in composition.

He has taught at Luther College, Long Beach State College, and the University of Iowa, where he was head of composition and theory. In 1966 he founded the Center for New Music; a widely recognized performance group specializing in 20th Century music.

Hervig is an honorary member of the American Composers Alliance.

Upon his retirement in 1988, he was appointed to a post at the Julliard School, where he was co-chairman of Literature and Materials of Music program. His pupils have included Charles Dodge and William Hibbard, among others. He has received commissions from the National Music Council, the National Federation of Music Clubs and numerous performers.

Hervig's compositions, most of which are instrumental and tonal, show a disciplined approach to standard forms and an exploration of timbral possibilities.

*Richard Hervig passed away in 2010 at age 92.  A memorial music service is planned for March 27, 2011 at the University of Iowa.

ACE Publications

15 title(s)
Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
Richard Hervig AN ENTERTAINMENT
cl, mrmba/vib
Richard Hervig CHAMBER CONCERTO cham orch: 1-1-1-1; 1-1-1-0; perc; hp; str
Richard Hervig CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN & CHAMBER ORCHESTRA orch1-1-1-1,2-1-0-0,hp, perc,str + solo vln
Richard Hervig DIVERSION
TBN,PERC
Richard Hervig DIVERSION, for orchestra orch: pic-2-2-2-bcl-2; 4-3-3-1; hp; pf; timp; perc; str
Richard Hervig FANTASY AND TOCCATA
Richard Hervig IOWA 150: A DIVERSION FOR ORCHESTRA FULL ORCHESTRA (3.3.3.3 4.4.4.4 STRINGS, 3 PERCUSSION, TIMPANI, HARP)
Richard Hervig MUSIC FOR A CONCERT orch: pic-2-2-eh-2-2; 4-3-3-1; timp,perc; hp, str
Richard Hervig OFF CENTER
cl, vc, vib/mrmba
Richard Hervig SONATA FOR FLUTE AND PIANO Flute and Piano
Richard Hervig SONATA No. 1 for clarinet and piano
cl, pf
Richard Hervig STRING QUARTET (1955)
Richard Hervig SUBTLE THIEF
fl, cl/bcl, vln, vla, vc
Richard Hervig TREE (for 9 Instruments)
fl, ob, cl, tpt, perc, vln, vla, vc, cb
Richard Hervig TRIO-CONCERTINO vln, cl, pf solo, orch: 3-2-2- 2; 4-2-3-1; perc; str

Additional Works