Kurt Schwertsik
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kurt Schwertsik (born June 25, 1935) is an Austrian contemporary composer. He is famous for creating the “Third Viennese School” and spreading contemporary classical music.
A pupil of Karlheinz Stockhausen, he founded in 1958 the ensemble "Die Reihe" with Friedrich Cerha (famous for finishing the opera Lulu, by Alban Berg) and later, in 1968, the ensemble "MOB art & tone ART" with Otto Matthäus Zykan and Heinz Karl Gruber. He served as hornist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (from 1968) while teaching Composition at the Vienna Conservatory (from 1979). Between 1989 and 2004 he was Professor of Composition at the Vienna Musikhochschule (now University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna). His works are characterised by his particular exploration of tonality and his musical irony and humour. He received the Grand Austrian State Prize (1992), the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (1997) and numerous other awards.
Kurt Schwertsik is President of the Joseph Marx Society that was founded in 2006 in order to implement the Renaissance of this composer. Thus, Schwertsik has accepted the position of the leader of an organisation for the first time in his career and also avowed himself a melodicist according to the musical philosophy that was developed and represented by Joseph Marx.
Contents |
[edit] Prices
- Grand Austrian Music Price of State (1992)
- Austrian Decoration for Science and Art (1997)
[edit] Works (Selection)
[edit] Instrumental music
Orchestral works:
- Irdische Klänge
- Sinfonia-Sinfonietta
- Symphonie im Mob-Stil
- Epilog zu Rosamunde
- Herrn Marteins
- Draculas Haus- und Hofmusik
- ... für Audifax und Abachum
Music for solo instrument and orchestra:
- Violin Concerto No. 1
- Violin Concerto No. 2
- Flute Concerto
- Trombone Concerto
- Guitar Concerto
[edit] Stage music
- Katzelmacher – Opera after a text by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Fanferlieschen Schönefüßchen – Fairy-tale opera after Clemens Brentano, based on a text by Karin and Thomas Körner
- Der lange Weg zur großen Mauer – Opera after a novel by Richard Bletschacher
- Ballett „Strauß & Strauß“
- Ballett „Walzerträume“ (written for the Cologne City Opera)
[edit] Vocal music
- Starckdeutsche Lieder und Tänze for baritone and orchestra
- Die Furie des Verschwindens for mixed choir
- a huge number of songs
[edit] Chamber music
- Liebesträume for 7 instruments
- Eichendorff-Quintett
- Adieu Satie for bandeneon and string quartet
- Ganesha Walkabout for string quartet
- Blechpartie im neuesten Geschmack for brass quintett
