Richard Hoffmann (composer)

Richard Hoffmann (February 12, 1925 – March 18, 2021) was an Austrian-American composer, music theorist, and educator. Born in Vienna, he emigrated to the United States in 1938. He is best known for his atonal and twelve-tone compositions, often incorporating elements of serialism.

Hoffmann studied with Arnold Schoenberg at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and later taught at Oberlin Conservatory and subsequently at Louisiana State University. His teaching emphasized a deep understanding of musical structure and analysis, and he was a proponent of Schenkerian analysis.

Hoffmann's compositions include operas, orchestral works, chamber music, and vocal pieces. His music is characterized by its rigorous intellectual framework and its exploration of complex harmonic and rhythmic relationships. Although his work is often challenging to listen to, it is highly regarded for its craftsmanship and its commitment to the principles of atonality.

He authored the book Structural Hearing: Tonal Coherence in Music, which outlines his views on music analysis and composition, further elaborating on Schenkerian principles. He also published articles and essays on music theory and analysis. Hoffmann received numerous awards and fellowships throughout his career, recognizing his contributions to contemporary music.