Jost Meier (1939-2022)

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Jost Meier was born on March 15, 1939 in Solothurn (Switzerland). After matriculating, he began studying mathematics and physics. He studied the cello and begann composing in adolescence. After studying at the conservatories of Biel and Bern (in Rolf Looser’s class) hewent to Holland to study with Frank Martin.

Following a spell as cellist in the Zurich Tonhalle orchestra and the Camerata Bern, he was named director of the Orchestra Society of the town and theater Biel, a position he held from 1969 to 1979. He then became director of the Basle opera orchestra.

Since 1983 he works freelance as a conductor and composer, conducting in Switzerland and in most european countries. After composing essentially chamber and symphonic music, he became increasingly drawn to opera. His orchestral music is played in Europe, America and Australia, his operas performed in Freiburg i. Br., Basle, Kassel, Zurich, Biel, Sarrebrück, etc. Sennentuntschi (1983), Der Drache (1985), Der Zoobär (1987), Augustin (1988), Dreyfus (1994, world premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin where he conducted himself several performances) and Pilger und Fuchs (1995).

Jost Meier was awarded the Composition Prize of the ORTF in Paris in 1969, the Lausanne Festival Prize in 1984, the Art Prize of the canton of Solothurn in 1985 the Art Prize of the City of Biel in 1995. Has been appointed official composer of the 1999 “Fête des Vignerons” in Vevey Switzerland. He lives in Basle and in Arcegno (Ticino) and teaches at the Basle and Zurich conservatories.