#33 — June 2010
An unknown composer
Dear %3% (%2%),
In this newsletter I want to introduce to you an unknown composer: Margaret Buechner.
Margaret Buechner
The German-born composer Margaret Buechner (Hanover, 27 May 1922) may not be very well known, but she has some dedicated fans. One of these is Juris Zommers, who once happened to hear her music on the radio, and since then made it his mission to get Margaret’s work known to a wider public.
Buechner immigrated to the United States in 1951, and became a US citizen 10 years later. In Germany she had written mainly chamber music, but her teacher, Otto Luening, encouraged her to write symphonic music.
In the 1950’s she wrote in what Zommers calls “American grand style”, with huge orchestras, like in Mahler’s works. One of her best know work is probably the ballet in three acts “Elizabeth”.
Some music examples of this composition can be heard on her page in the Classical Composers Database: http://www.classical-composers.org/comp/buechner.
In 1959 she stoppped composing, only to start again in 1989. In the mean time she led high school choruses and gave private lessons.
After Margaret’s death in 1998, Juris Zommer has inherited her music, and also owns all the copyrights. He can be contacted for more information:
Margaret Buechner Music8876 Driscoll Lane NE
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206 842-2525
or for recordings:
Nord-Disc Record CompanyPost Office Box
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
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With best regards,
Jos Smeets
Classical Composers Database
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