Hauer, Josef Matthias#
b. Wiener Neustadt (Lower Austria), March 19, 1883, d. Vienna, Sept. 22, 1959, composer and teacher (from which he retired in 1919). From 1915 lived in Vienna; self-taught; around 1911 developed a system of twelve-tone composition ( Dodecaphony) before A. Schoenberg did. H. regarded this as part of a universal system (relating the tones to colours, foods, etc.). Wrote many theoretical essays. Awarded the Prize of the City of Vienna in 1927 and 1954 and the Grand Austrian State Prize in 1955.
Works#
Essays: Ueber die Klangfarbe, 1918; Vom Wesen des Musikalischen, 1920 (1st publication about twelve-tone technique); Deutung des Melos, 1923; Vom Melos zur Pauke, 1925; Zwoelftontechnik, 1926. - Compositions: approx. 1,000 twelve-tone pieces; Nomos, 1911/12 (1st twelve-tone music); 2 oratorios; "Salambo", 1930 (opera); "Die schwarze Spinne", 1932 (singspiel); Masses, choirs, songs, chamber and orchestra music;Literature#
W. Szmolyan, J. M. H., 1965; NDB.