Huber, Hans

Born June 28, 1852, in Eppenberg, Solothurn Canton; died Dec. 25, 1921, in Locarno. Swiss composer and teacher.

Huber studied at the Leipzig Conservatory with K. Reinecke and E. Richter from 1870 to 1874. In 1877 he took up residence in Basel; he was given an appointment at the city’s conservatory in 1889 and served as its director from 1896 to 1918. One of the most important Swiss composers of the 19th century, Huber laid the foundations of Swiss symphonic music. His principal works are program symphonies, which reflect the influence of the German romantic composers. The most important of these symphonies are the First, based on the story of William Tell; the Second, based on paintings by A. Böcklin; and the Third (Heroic), based on a series of woodcuts by H. Holbein entitled Dance of Death. Huber also wrote five operas, including The World’s Spring (1894) and Fruits of the Sea (1918); two oratorios; cantatas; symphonies; and the orchestral program work Roman Carnival. Other compositions are concerti (including four piano concerti), chamber music, masses, songs, and compositions for piano, organ, and chorus.