Irwin Fischer

Biography

Irwin Fischer (b. 1903-d. 1977) was an American composer, born in Iowa City, Iowa. He studied at the American Conservatory in Chicago (where he was appointed to teach in 1928), with Boulanger in Paris (1931) and with Kodály in Budapest (1936). In the 1930s he developed a polytonal technique he called ‘biplanal’; in the 1960s he began to use systematic serialism. His songs display an exceptional variety of styles and techniques.

Fischer was a graduate of the University of Chicago and was organist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years. He was Dean of Faculty at the American Conservatory of Music.

  • orchestra
  • ACE Publications

    14 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Irwin Fischer ARIADNE ABANDONED orch2/pic-2-2-2,4-2-3- 1,timp,hp,str (also for 2 pf or pf solo)
    Irwin Fischer CHORALE FANTASY org, orch 0-2-0-2, 4-2-3-1, timp, perc, str
    Irwin Fischer LEGEND orch(pic-2-2-2-2,4-2-3-1,timp, perc,str
    Irwin Fischer MARCO POLO 3/picc.2/ehn.2.2/cbsn, 4.3.3.1, timp. cel, tam-tam, strings
    Irwin Fischer O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT, OP 111, NR 2 orch,3-2-e.hn-2-2-cbsn,4-3-3-1,timp,str
    Irwin Fischer OVERTURE ON AN EXUBERANT TONE ROW(for Orch) orch(pic-2-2-2-2,4-3-3-1,timp,perc,str
    Irwin Fischer PASSACAGLIA & FUGUE orch(pic-2-2-e.hn-2- bcl-2,4-3-3-1,Timp,2 Perc,str
    Irwin Fischer SHORT SYMPHONY FOR FULL ORCHESTRA
    Irwin Fischer SKETCHES FROM CHILDHOOD orch(2/picc-2-2-2 ,2-2-3-0,b.dr,hp,str)
    Irwin Fischer STATEMENT:1976 satb,(w/sop.solo)orch (brs(4-3-3-1),perc,str)
    Irwin Fischer SYMPHONIC ADVENTURES OF A LITTLE TUNE nar. & orch(pic-2-2-eh-2-bcl-2-cbsn,4-2-3-1,narr, 3perc,str
    Irwin Fischer SYMPHONY NO 1 orch.2/picc-2-2-2,4-2-3-1, perc,str
    Irwin Fischer VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME orch:2-2- 2-2,4-3-3-1,timp,str
    Irwin Fischer VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME orch:2-2- 2-2,4-3-3-1,timp,str

    Additional Works