Gerhard Schedl was born in Vienna and began composing during his childhood. In 1976 he began his professional studies with Erich Urbanner at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. He graduated with distinction in 1980. He taught at Dr. Hoch's Konservatorium from 1981 to 2000. Schedl had early success with his music dramatic works including his oratorio Der Großinquisitor and his opera for children Der Schweinehirt. Schedl also composed chamber music and symphonic works. His compositions were played by musicians, ensembles and orchestras such as David Geringas, Dennis Russell Davies, the ORF Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Modern. After a long period of depression, Gerhard Schedl shot himself in the woods near his house in Eppstein. He was buried in an honorary grave at the central cemetery of Vienna, group 40 No. 97.
Gerhard Schedl Prize
In 2009 the Neue Oper Wien created a composition competition for a feature-length music-dramatic work.
Works
;Stage
Der Großinquisitor, Scenic Oratorio for bass-baritone, cello, narrator, chorus, organ and orchestra
Der Schweinehirt, Children's Opera ; libretto after the fairy tale The Swineherd by Hans Christian Andersen
Schall und Rauch oder Das Leben ist hart genug, 3 Parodies for actor and chamber ensemble
Glaube Liebe Hoffnung, Oper ; libretto based on templates provided by Ödön von Horváth
... fremd bin ich eingezogen..., Dance and Musical Theatre Piece for dancers, singers, actors, electronic bands, chorus and orchestra
Der Ficus spricht, Minidrama in 1 act ; libretto by Franzobel
Riesen, Zwerge, Menschenfresser, Youth Opera ; libretto by Herbert Vogg after Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant
Julie & Jean, Ein Match in zwölf Runden nach Motiven von August Strindbergs for soprano, baritone, chorus and orchestra ; libretto by Bernhard Glocksin after August Strindberg's Miss Julie
Der Totentanz von Anno Neun, Septet for flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, cello and double bass, Op. 14 ; after painting by Albin Egger-Lienz
Gesänge über "Deh vieni alla finestra" for violin, cello and piano, Op. 4 ; after the canzonetta from the opera Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rondeau for guitar solo
a tre, Variations for clarinet, violin and piano
Schattenbilder, 4 Movements for cello and piano
String QuartetRomantische Paraphrase über "Der Tod und das Mädchen" ; paraphrase on Death and the Maiden by Franz Schubert
Pater noster – in der phrygischen Tonart for 16 voices a cappella
Te Deum for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed chorus, organ and orchestra
Böse Sprüche, Farce for chamber chorus, alto saxophone, trumpet and trombone ; libretto after "Trara Trara die Hochkultur" by Fritz Hermann
Students
Students of Gerhard Schedl have included Klaus Wiede, Stefan Thomas, Dieter Hermsdorf and Daniel Hensel, who wrote the first musicological study and dissertation on the music of Gerhard Schedl.
Literature
Daniel Hensel: Von der Einheit in der Vielfalt oder der Lust am Subjektiven: Die Musik Gerhard Schedls, dargestellt an seiner Instrumentalmusik, Stuttgart: ibidem 2011,
