Alexander Pattavina

Arts in the Third Reich

Research Paper Topic Proposal

Hugo Distler
19081942

Biographical context

Of all the artists who were born into the mess of the Third Reich, many of them found a way to live their
lives and make things work. Hugo Distler did not. Seeing the evils of the Third Reich take the lives of his friends and
family, he ended his own life at the young age of thirty-four. Distler, a pioneer of Neo-Baroque music, blended strict
counterpoint and form with modern harmony. Distler was also a leader in the world of sacred music primarily the
choral and organ genres.

A study on Hugo Distlers life, music, and historical context would lead to some interesting discussion on his
role in the sacred music scene in Nazi Germany. It is clear that, if the Nazis were not in power, his career would not
have ended as early as it did. His musical style is a product of its time, yet well-crafted and wholly unique. Hugo
Distler can serve as an example of a figure who took clear stances and made careful decisions on how he (and he
alone) would attempt to live his life.

Potential sources

Biographical-Analytical & Historical Context

Pierson, Brad. "HUGO DISTLER (1908-1942): Recontextualizing Distlers Music for Performance in the Twenty-First Century."
Diss. U of Washington, 2014. Washington University. Web.

Guerrieri, Matthew. "Distler, Conflicted Nazi Party Member, Strove for Musical Purity." The Boston Globe 28 Feb. 2015: Print.

Harper, Todd Jere. Hugo Distler and the Renewal Movement in Nazi Germany. DMA diss., University of Southern California,
2008.

Herbst, Wolfgang. Hugo Distler and the origin of a legend. The American Organist, May (2011): 44-48.

Neumann Klaus L., "Distler, Hugo." In Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online.

The Organ Reform Movement

Johns, David Otto. The Organ-Reform Movement: A Formative Influence Upon the Twentieth Century Church Music
Composition, Practice, and Pedagogy. PhD diss., University of Oklahoma,1931.

Phelps, Lawrence I. A Short History of the Organ Revival. Church Music 67.1 St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 1967. 13-
30.

Choral Music
Palmer, Larry. Hugo Distler and His Church Music. St. Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 1967.

Organ Music
Brock, John. Registration and articulation in the organ works of Hugo Distler. The American Organist, December (2008): 68-
71.