Albert Urfer
Encyclopedia
Albert Urfer was a pianist
and chansonnier
, born on 26 October 1914 in Vevey
(Switzerland
), died in Lausanne
, on 29 October 1985.
. Mobilised in the Swiss Army during the WWII, he directed a small military band
. Between 1945 to 1951 he played in Geneva
, Gstaad
, Vevey
, Bâle
, and even in Cairo
.
In 1953 he went to Paris and stayed there till 1956, to learn Dramatic arts with Mady Berry. He acted for the theatre, cinema and television. He came back to Switzerland to play at the “Centre dramatique romand” in the French version of Twelve Angry Men, a play by Reginald Rose
.
However, he became well known and is best rembembered as the partner and musical assistant to the chansonnier Jean Villard Gilles
for an ongoing 25 years. He replaced Edith Burger, (see , in 1948.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and chansonnier
Chansonnier
A chansonnier is a manuscript or printed book which contains a collection of chansons, or polyphonic and monophonic settings of songs, hence literally "song-books," although some manuscripts are so called even though they preserve the text but not the music A chansonnier is a manuscript or...
, born on 26 October 1914 in Vevey
Vevey
Vevey is a town in Switzerland in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne.It was the seat of the district of the same name until 2006, and is now part of the Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District...
(Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
), died in Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
, on 29 October 1985.
Biography
He started playing piano at a very early age, whilst being also interested in the choral artChoir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
. Mobilised in the Swiss Army during the WWII, he directed a small military band
Military band
A military band originally was a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the title of Bandmaster or Director of Music...
. Between 1945 to 1951 he played in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Gstaad
Gstaad
Gstaad is a village in the German-speaking section of the Canton of Berne in southwestern Switzerland. Part of the municipality of Saanen, Gstaad is known as one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world....
, Vevey
Vevey
Vevey is a town in Switzerland in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne.It was the seat of the district of the same name until 2006, and is now part of the Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut District...
, Bâle
Bale
- Places :* Bale , a small town in Croatia* Bale, California, in Napa County* Bale, Norfolk in England* Bale, Poland* Balé Province, Burkina Faso* Basel, the Swiss city, for which the French name is Bâle-Ethiopia:* Bale Mountains...
, and even in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
.
In 1953 he went to Paris and stayed there till 1956, to learn Dramatic arts with Mady Berry. He acted for the theatre, cinema and television. He came back to Switzerland to play at the “Centre dramatique romand” in the French version of Twelve Angry Men, a play by Reginald Rose
Reginald Rose
Reginald Rose was an American film and television writer most widely known for his work in the early years of television drama. Rose's work is marked by its treatment of controversial social and political issues...
.
However, he became well known and is best rembembered as the partner and musical assistant to the chansonnier Jean Villard Gilles
Jean Villard Gilles
Jean Villard a.k.a. Gilles, was born on June 2, 1895 in Montreux , and died on March 26, 1982 in Vevey, next to his vineyard village of residence Saint-Saphorin that is reputed for its quality Swiss white wine.- Biography :...
for an ongoing 25 years. He replaced Edith Burger, (see , in 1948.
External links
- Vidéo Urfer, Albert chante Bonjour tout le Monde en compagnie de Jean Villard GillesJean Villard GillesJean Villard a.k.a. Gilles, was born on June 2, 1895 in Montreux , and died on March 26, 1982 in Vevey, next to his vineyard village of residence Saint-Saphorin that is reputed for its quality Swiss white wine.- Biography :...
, an archives site of the Télévision suisse romandeTélévision Suisse RomandeTélévision Suisse Romande is a TV network with 2 channels: TSR 1 and TSR 2. They are the main French language channels in Switzerland, part of SRG SSR idée suisse...