THE RESONANCE ATLAS
Alvin Etler
Biography
Alvin Etler (1913–1973) was an American composer, oboist and teacher. Born in Battle Creek, Iowa, he performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra before concentrating on composition and teaching. He studied with Paul Hindemith at Yale and subsequently taught at Yale, Cornell, the University of Illinois and Smith College. His catalogue includes two wind quintets, chamber works for mixed winds and strings, concertos and orchestral music. His experience as a professional oboist informed an especially rich contribution to twentieth-century wind repertoire.
Why this music interests us
Etler is central to Resonance's interest in accomplished twentieth-century chamber music that deserves renewed performance and recording. His two wind quintets (1955 and 1957), Bassoon Sonata (1951), Sextet for three winds and three strings (1959) and Concerto for Violin and Wind Quintet (1958) reveal an unusually sustained engagement with winds. The music's rhythmic energy, contrapuntal imagination and instrumental character make it an especially persuasive focus for repertoire recovery.
Selected works & listening
Wind Quintet No. 1 (1955); Wind Quintet No. 2 (1957); Bassoon Sonata (1951); Concerto for Violin and Wind Quintet (1958); Sextet (1959; oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, cello); Quartet for Oboe, Clarinet, Viola and Bassoon (1949); Fragments for Woodwind Quartet
Further information