Helmut Degen

Helmut Degen (born 14 January 1911 in Aglasterhausen – died 2 October 1995 in Trossingen) was a German composer.^[1]

Degen studied composition with Wilhelm Maler and Philipp Jarnach; and score and instrumentation with Ernst Gernot Klussmann^[2] at the Rheinische Musikschule^[3] in Cologne and the University of Bonn, writing his dissertation on Baroque librettist Friedrich Christian Bressand. He later taught theory at the Duisburg Conservatory and later at the Hochschule für Musikerziehung in Trossingen, becoming a professor in 1954.^[1]

His works include educational chamber music in modern style. His style resembles Hindemith and uses methods similar to 12-tone composition.

Selected works

Concerto for organ and orchestra (1938)
Sonata for viola and piano (1940); Willy Müller, Süddeutscher Musikverlag
Kleine Weihnachtsmusik (Short Christmas Music) for strings and woodwinds (1942); P. J. Tonger
Der flanderische Narr, Ballet (1942)
Kleines Konzert (Short Concerto) for violin and chamber orchestra (1944–1945)
Kammersinfonie (Chamber Symphony) for small orchestra (1947); Schott
Konzert Etüden (Concert Etudes) (1948); Schott
Suter, Oratorio (1950)
Unisono-Stücke for violin, or viola, or cello solo, or unison ensemble (1950); Heinrichshofen's Verlag
Stück from Die grosse Reihe for viola solo (1954); Willy Müller, Süddeutscher Musikverlag
Handbuch der Formenlehre: Grundsätzliches zur musikalischen Formung (1957); Bosse
10 Stücke (10 Pieces) for violin and viola; Willy Müller, Süddeutscher Musikverlag
Johannes-Passion for soprano, tenor and chorus a cappella (1961–1962)
Sonata for flute and viola (1963); N. Simrock
Capriccio for accordion and cello (1970)
Genesis-Offenbarung, Oratorio (1973)
Metamorphosen for cello and piano (1980)
Concerto for 12 cellos (1982)
Capriccio scherzando for piano
Serenade for string orchestra
String quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello
String quintet for 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos
String sextet for 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos
String quartet

^ ^a ^b George W. Loomis (20 January 2001). "Degen, Helmut". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.07393. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
^ von Capitaine, Dietmar (2009). Conservatorium der Musik in Coeln. Books on Demand GmbH. pp. 112, 113. ISBN 9783837052947.
^ Loomis, George W. (January 2001). "Degen, Helmut (1911 - 1995), composer". Oxford Index. Retrieved 23 March 2018.