Role

:

Composer

 

Dieter Ammann is a Swiss composer who was born on August 28, 1962, in Zurich, Switzerland. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a conductor and his mother a pianist. Ammann started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. He studied composition at the Zurich University of the Arts and later at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands. Ammann's early works were influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg. He was also interested in the music of the American minimalist composers, such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Ammann's music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, use of microtonality, and exploration of timbre. One of Ammann's early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1991. The piece is in four movements and features complex rhythms and microtonal harmonies. The quartet was well-received and helped establish Ammann as a promising young composer. In 1993, Ammann composed his first orchestral work, the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and features a solo piano part that is virtuosic and demanding. The concerto was premiered in Zurich and was later performed by other orchestras around the world. Ammann's music continued to evolve in the 1990s, with works such as his String Quartet No. 2 and his orchestral work, Gran Toccata. The String Quartet No. 2 is a more introspective work than his first quartet, with a slower tempo and more lyrical melodies. Gran Toccata, on the other hand, is a high-energy work that features complex rhythms and driving percussion. In the 2000s, Ammann's music became more experimental, with works such as his String Quartet No. 3 and his orchestral work, Core. The String Quartet No. 3 features extended techniques, such as bowing on the bridge of the violin and playing harmonics, while Core features a large percussion section and electronic sounds. One of Ammann's most significant works is his opera, The King in Spite of Himself, which was premiered in 2018. The opera is based on a play by the French playwright Victorien Sardou and tells the story of a king who is forced to marry against his will. The opera features a large cast and orchestra and is notable for its use of microtonality and complex rhythms. Ammann's music has been performed by many orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Swiss Music Prize in 2011 and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 2019. In conclusion, Dieter Ammann is a Swiss composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, use of microtonality, and exploration of timbre. Ammann's works range from intimate chamber music to large-scale orchestral works and operas. His music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles and has received critical acclaim. Ammann continues to compose new works and is considered one of the most important composers of his generation.

More....