Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

June 25, 1935

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Kurt Schwertsik is a renowned Austrian composer who was born on June 25, 1935, in Vienna, Austria. He grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known conductor. Schwertsik started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and the guitar. He attended the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied composition with Karl Schiske and conducting with Hans Swarowsky. Schwertsik's early works were influenced by the Viennese classical tradition, but he soon developed his own unique style. He was part of the "New Simplicity" movement, which emerged in the 1970s and aimed to simplify music and make it more accessible to audiences. Schwertsik's music is characterized by its humor, wit, and playfulness, as well as its use of popular and folk music elements. One of Schwertsik's most famous works is "Nachtmusiken," a series of five pieces for chamber orchestra. The pieces are inspired by the night and its various moods and emotions. The first piece, "Moonstruck," is a playful and whimsical piece that evokes the magic of the moon. The second piece, "Night Owls," is a more somber and introspective piece that reflects the loneliness and isolation of the night. The third piece, "Dreams," is a surreal and dreamlike piece that explores the subconscious mind. The fourth piece, "Nightmares," is a dark and unsettling piece that depicts the fear and anxiety that can come with the night. The final piece, "Morning Serenade," is a joyful and optimistic piece that celebrates the arrival of a new day. Another notable work by Schwertsik is "Adieu Satie," a tribute to the French composer Erik Satie. The piece is a playful and irreverent take on Satie's music, incorporating elements of jazz and popular music. Schwertsik also wrote a series of works inspired by the paintings of Paul Klee, including "Klee Pictures" and "Klee Dances." These works are characterized by their colorful and whimsical nature, reflecting the playful and imaginative spirit of Klee's art. Schwertsik has also written several operas, including "The Birthday of the Infanta," based on the story by Oscar Wilde, and "Luna Park," a surreal and fantastical work set in an amusement park. His other works include symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. Throughout his career, Schwertsik has received numerous awards and honors, including the Austrian State Prize for Music and the Grand Austrian State Prize. He has also been a professor of composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Today, Schwertsik is considered one of Austria's most important contemporary composers, known for his innovative and playful approach to music.

More....