Ernst Pfiffner

Ernst Pfiffner went to convent schools in Engelberg and Disentis until his certificate of qualification for university matriculation in 1942. His musical studies brought him to Einsiedeln, Rome, Regensburg and Basle. During this time he obtained the organ diploma with Eduard Müller and studied composition with Walther Geiser, Willy Burkhrad, Nadia Boulanger and Robert Suter. From 1950-1987 he was organist and choirmaster in Basle (St. Michael), 1967-1987 director of the Academy for school and church music in Lucerne.
Pfiffner’s compositional oeuvre includes works for organ, orchestra and chamber orchestra as well as vocal and choir music, mostly of spiritual and religious content.

(picture source: www.amadeusmusic.ch)