Othmar Schoeck

Swiss Classical Composer and Conductor

Othmar Schoeck (1886–1957) was a Swiss composer and conductor, known primarily for his contributions to the art song, or Lied. He was a prolific composer with a particular focus on vocal music, and his work includes over 300 lieder, several song cycles, and operas. Schoeck's style was deeply rooted in late Romanticism, and he was influenced by German composers such as Richard Strauss and Hugo Wolf. Despite being less well-known than some of his contemporaries, Schoeck's music is appreciated for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. His compositions often reflect a keen sensitivity to the nuances of the German language and the texts he set to music. In addition to his vocal works, Schoeck also composed instrumental pieces, including chamber music and orchestral works. Throughout his career, he served as a conductor at various theaters in Switzerland and was respected as an interpreter of both his own compositions and the wider classical repertoire.