"In public, one could no longer speak of Oboussier without mentioning the circumstances of his death; and since these were considered unspeakable, people soon — and quite consistently — chose to remain silent about the deceased composer altogether."
Chris Walton, “The Double Life of a Composer”, Tages-Anzeiger, June 8, 2007
To mark the 125th birthday of Swiss composer Robert Oboussier, who was murdered in 1957, the summer of 2025 will see the release of the first CD recording of his music, along with a book publication featuring contributions by various authors. These texts explore Oboussier’s music, biography, and tragic legacy from a range of perspectives.
At five anniversary events in the autumn of 2025, Robert Oboussier’s music will be performed and discussed with various guests, focusing on the history and continued relevance of this once-renowned and highly regarded figure. Robert Oboussier was a key figure in New Music. He was not only an internationally recognized composer, but also served as Deputy Director of SUISA and Head of the Archive of Swiss Musical Art.
This is the first project to bring public attention to Robert Oboussier’s historically significant story—seen from today’s perspective—together with his musically important compositions from the time before, during, and after World War II. In this anniversary year, the aim is to break the long-standing taboo surrounding the politically and media-driven scandal that led to the erasure of Oboussier and his work from public memory. His music is being made accessible once again, and the previously silenced history is being openly discussed. These compositions are valuable witnesses of their time—works that must not be forgotten, and above all, must no longer be suppressed.
Context
The murder of the prominent Swiss composer Robert Oboussier on June 9, 1957, led to a complete erasure of his work and his person from public consciousness. His legacy fell silent for decades. The case not only brought to light his previously hidden homosexuality, but also marked the first time Zurich’s male homosexual milieu became the focus of intense media attention. The sensationalist reporting sparked shock and revulsion, resulting in deeply unjust consequences: on one hand, the homosexual scene was publicly denounced and subsequently subjected to over a decade of police repression; on the other hand, Oboussier was silenced both as a person and as an artist—his music was ostracized, and his very existence was wiped from cultural memory.
At five anniversary events, a selection of compositions from Oboussier’s complete works will be performed.
In addition, a panel discussion will address the history and music from the period before, during, and after World War II.
Seven contributions explore the biography, music, and decades-long silence surrounding Robert Oboussier. Each author brings their own perspective to Oboussier, presenting his story from diverse viewpoints. For example, Ernst Ostertag, who attended Oboussier’s final concert, reflects on how the murder deeply impacted his life as a gay man in Zurich. Eva Moser, who wrote the first scholarly work on Oboussier in 2007, revisits the events surrounding the composer’s murder in her contribution. Since Oboussier grew up bilingual and his music has been particularly valued and performed in France even after his death, the book is published in both German and French. It also includes his first complete catalog of works.
Contributions und authors:
Tomas Bächli, pianist and music educator Oboussier’s piano works
Two piano works illustrate the political expressions and attitudes in Oboussier’s music. His contemporaries described him as someone open to everything new. Accordingly, the pieces show a distinctive approach to both tradition and the progressive movements of the time.
Book illustrations that depict and describe the highly fragmented estate and the incomplete picture of Oboussier. Grünig complements the work with a questionnaire inspired by Max Frisch’s Questionnaires, addressing the evaluation of the murder case as well as the separation of the work from its author.
Ursula Pia Jauch, philosopher and publicist Robert Oboussier, impeccable friend and cipher of discretion
Insights into Oboussier’s humanistic and political engagement, as well as his significance in the realms of intellectual history. Over the years, Oboussier maintained a stimulating dialogue on philosophical and music-aesthetic questions with Karl Jaspers, Karl Löwith, and other members of the intellectual communities in Heidelberg and Berlin. A volume of correspondence titled Jaspers – Oboussier had been planned, but it is likely that the project fell victim to the silencing of the composer after 1957.
Eva Moser, cultural scholar «Nicht mitzuhassen, mitzulieben bin ich da»
In her chapter, Eva Moser examines the murder case and the highly controversial trial that followed, in which both the legal and public assessments of the case repeatedly shifted.
Ernst Ostertag, former teacher, journalist and activist An eyewitness account
Ernst Ostertag was directly affected by the murder of Oboussier and its impact on the gay community in Switzerland—not only as a gay man and editorial staff member of «Der Kreis», but also as someone who attended Oboussier’s final concert in Zurich, just four days before his murder.
Sixty-eight years later, Mr. Ostertag is deeply pleased that Oboussier’s music is once again being brought to life in performance.
An analysis and reflection on the media coverage of Oboussier’s music in the months following his death.
Bruno Rauch, musicologist and cultural journalist Zurich in the 1950s – «Seldwyla» in contradiction
A portrait of the petty-bourgeois city of Zurich in the 1950s, which nonetheless had a significant international influence. Rauch’s text provides readers with an understanding and a sense of the environment in which Oboussier’s murder took place.
Ramon Bischoff, music producer
Foreword, biography, and catalog of works of Robert Oboussier
«Robert Oboussier’s music is an expression of his political, social, and humanistic convictions. It is my sincere wish that his works continue to convey the values he championed artistically. [...] On the occasion of Robert Oboussier’s 125th birthday, I hope his music will be performed more frequently and take on new significance as a symbol of social equality.»
Project management
For inquiries about the project, media information, accreditations, free tickets, and promotional materials:
Login press material (Promotional material, images, list of archive items, catalogue of works, etc.)
Funding
The research, CD production, book publication, and anniversary celebrations were made possible thanks to the support of the following funding bodies, foundations, private individuals, and partners:
Burgergemeinde Bern, Bürgi Willert Stiftung, Elisabeth Weber Stiftung, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Ernst Ostertag in memorium Röbi Rapp, Fachstelle Gemeinde Köniz, Fachstelle Kultur Kanton Zürich, Fonds RESPECT (LOS, TGNS, Pink Cross), Fondation Johanna Dürmüller-Bol, Fondation Suisa, Gesellschaft zu Ober-Gerwern, Gesellschaft zu Schuhmachern, Gesellschaft zu Zimmerleuten, Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft des Kantons Zürichs, GVB Kulturstiftung, hab queer Bern, Heinrich Hössli Stiftung, Kultur Kanton Bern, Kultur Stadt Bern, Nomar Audio, Paul Sacher Stiftung, Schwulenarchiv Schweiz, Sebastiana Stiftung, Schweizer Interpretenstiftung, Stadt Zürich Kultur, Stiftung Anne-Marie Schindler, Stiftung Pro Scientia et Arte, Stiftung resonanzmomente, Stiftung Sostenuto, Walidad Stiftung.
