Born in Leubringen near Bienne. After graduating from the Muristalden (near Berne) teachers’ training college, he began his musical studies with E. Graf in Berne, then went to S. Karg-Elert and R. Teichmüller in Leipzig, W Courvoisier in Munich and M. d’Ollone in Paris. 1928 he was appointed as theory teacher at the Conservatory in Berne, where he also conducted several choirs and small orchestras. From 1933 on lung problems made sojourns in Montana and Davos necessary. He then settled in Zurich, where from 1942 onwards he taught theory and composition at the Conservatory. There is no doubt that Willy Burkhard was one of the outstanding and influential Swiss composers of our century. Both his works, in particular as a renovator of church music, and his didactic activities had a lasting influence an the future. His pupils include Giuseppe G. Englert, Klaus Huber, Rudolf Kelterborn, Ernst Pfiffner, Armin Schibler and Ernst Widmer, among others.
Motette
Psalm 70 aus "Kleiner Psalter" (1950)
for: Mixed choir (SATB) a cappella
Choir score
Item no.: 869517
for: Orchestra
Study score
Item no.: 117427
Jeweils die 6 Verse des Luther-Liedes für Chor, dazu 4 Zwischenspiele für Orgel. Teil 1: 2stimmig, Teil 2: 3stimmig/ Teil 3: 4- bis 8stimmig
for: Choir, organ
Choir score
Item no.: 116374
für Sopran und Orgel
Concerto vocale
for: Voice (soprano), organ
Organ score
Item no.: 117305
Variationen über den Haßler'schen Choralsatz
for: Organ
Music score
Item no.: 756447
Eine kleine Weihnachtsmusik für Ursula am Klavier/ mit Scherenschnitten
for: Piano
Music score
Item no.: 115156
Variationen über den Haßler'schen Choralsatzop. 28/2
for: Organ
Item no.: 287951