Irwin Leroy Fischer

Irwin Leroy Fischer (July 5, 1903[1][2] – May 7, 1977[1][8]) was an American composer and organist. He was a long-standing Dean of Faculty of the American Conservatory of Music and organist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years.[7][6] Fischer was also a recording artist, radio performer[9][10] and author.[11]

Irwin Leroy Fischer
Born(1903-07-05)July 5, 1903[1][2]
Iowa City, Iowa, US[3][4][5]
DiedMay 7, 1977(1977-05-07) (aged 73)[1]
Wilmette, Illinois, US[1][6]
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Academic dean, music educator, chief organist, classical composer, radio and recording artist, author
SpouseMarlon Fischer[6]
Academic background
Alma materAmerican Conservatory of Music, University of Chicago[7][1][6]
Academic work
InstitutionsAmerican Conservatory of Music, Chicago Symphony Orchestra[7][1][6]

Career and works

He received his MMus from American Conservatory of Music in 1930 and his BA from the University of Chicago in 1924.[1] After being appointed to teach at the American Conservatory of Music in 1928, Fischer also studied with Boulanger in Paris in 1931 and with Kodály in Budapest in 1936.[7]

In the 1930s he invented a new polytonal technical he termed "biplanal."[7] His compositions showed a wide variety of techniques and styles,[7] often showing a mixture of French and German influences.[3]

His works were received "entirely enthusiastic" critic reviews, which described him as "modernistic, but not cacophony." His compositions received less attention following World War II (causing him to turn to conducting and work as an organist, radio, and recording artist), but received renewed serious study in universities beginning in the 1980s.[3] His works were favorable reviewed by notable critics such as the Chicago Tribune's "fearsome" Claudia Cassidy.[9]

Fischer's papers can be found in the archive collections of The Newberry in Chicago.

Personal life

Fischer was married with two children at the time of his death.[6] He frequently volunteered his professional skills as a conductor, composer, and organist to local charities.[9] For example, he composed one of his works "Orchestral Adventures of a Little Tune" for the CSO's 1974–75 Petites Promenades Concert Series for Young People,[12][13][9] conducted by Henry Mazer.[14]

Selected publications
  • Roberts, Stella and Fischer, Irwin (1967), "Handbook of Modal Counterpoint". Free Press; 1st edition, 160 pages. ISBN 0029265606.[11]
  • Fischer, Irwin Leroy (1950). "Harmony."[15]
  • Hundreds of published musical scores.[7]

Selected discography
  • Thor Johnson, The Peninsula Festival Orchestra – Irwin Fischer / Robert Nagel / Chou Wen-chung / John Lessard – Hungarian Set / Trumpet Concerto / Landscapes / Concerto For Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon And Strings (LP, Mono)[2][16]
  • Coffee House Music[17]

References
  1. Borroff, Edith (2001). "Oxford Index". Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.09722.
  2. "Irwin Leroy Fischer discogs.com Discography". Discogs.
  3. Borroff, Edith (2003). Music Melting Round: A History of Music in the United States. Scarecrow Press. pp. 197, 301. ISBN 1461716802.
  4. "Irwin Leroy Fischer on Classical composer database". March 25, 2013.
  5. "Fischer, Irwin". American National Biography Online. February 2000.
  6. "Chicago Tribune Obituary of Irwin Leroy Fischer". May 9, 1977.
  7. "Composers.com Irwin Leroy Fischer Bio". January 2, 1938.
  8. "Notable Deaths in Music in the 1970s".
  9. "Bio of Irwin Leroy Fischer".
  10. "WGN Telecasts".
  11. Roberts, Stella; Fischer, Irwin (1967). Handbook of Modal Counterpoint. ISBN 0029265606.
  12. "Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra History" (PDF).
  13. "Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra 20th Anniversary" (PDF).
  14. "CSO Rosenthal Archivals on CSO Music Premiers" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  15. Fischer, Irwin (1950). Harmony. I. Fischer. ASIN B0007GTXOG. OCLC 18714056.
  16. "Irwin Leroy Fischer music CD on Amazon". Amazon.
  17. "AllMusic". AllMusic.

Further reading
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