»For Robert Schollum and his Halbthurn Concerts«
For solo violin
Premiere: 1986 at the »Halbthurner Schlosskonzerte«, played by René Staar
Duration: ca. 6 minutes
Published by Edition Contemp Art (Verlagsgruppe Hermann),
Obtainable via www.schott-music.com
Product number: VGH 1156-70
Staar would dedicate it to Robert Schollum (1913–1987) whom he knew very well as a friend, and whose works he often played. Schollum was a great champion of Austrian contemporary music; he ran his own series of programs at the Austrian Radio, programmed many concert series throughout the entire country including the »Halbthurner Schlosskonzerte« which supported young interpreters of 20th century music and their public.
In all the »Homages«, René Staar uses the musicalized letters of the name of the dedicatee, in the Halbthurn Capriccioso it is Robert Schollum. The intervals of the tone row b-e-s-c-h form the main theme of the piece. From this series of tones and intervals playful and lyrical snippets form a Rondo, which, in spite of its composition in 1986, is much freer than the Ständchen composed for Ernst Krenek’s birthday a year before. Like that work, this one is also a birthday present, this time for Robert Schollum. (Translation: Michael Ingham)