Role

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Composer

Birth

:

1955

 

Alfred Zimmerlin is a Swiss composer and cellist who was born on August 12, 1955, in Zurich, Switzerland. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Zimmerlin started playing the cello at the age of six and began composing music in his teenage years. Zimmerlin studied at the Zurich Conservatory and later at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, Germany. He also attended masterclasses with renowned cellists such as Pierre Fournier and Yo-Yo Ma. Zimmerlin's early compositions were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of Karlheinz Stockhausen and John Cage. In the 1980s, Zimmerlin began to develop his own unique style, which combined elements of contemporary classical music with improvisation and experimental techniques. He became known for his use of extended techniques on the cello, such as playing with a bow made of metal or using objects to alter the sound of the instrument. One of Zimmerlin's most significant works is his composition "Kammerkonzert," which was premiered in 1990 by the Ensemble Modern in Frankfurt, Germany. The piece is scored for a chamber ensemble of 15 musicians and features complex rhythms and intricate textures. "Kammerkonzert" has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and is considered a landmark work in contemporary classical music. Zimmerlin has also composed several works for solo cello, including "Solo Suite" and "Solo Sonata." These pieces showcase his virtuosic playing and innovative use of extended techniques. Zimmerlin's interest in improvisation is evident in his composition "Improvisationen über ein Thema von Bach," which features a cellist improvising on a theme from Bach's "Goldberg Variations." In addition to his work as a composer, Zimmerlin is also an accomplished cellist and has performed with many leading ensembles and orchestras. He has recorded several albums of his own compositions, including "Kammerkonzert" and "Solo Suite." Zimmerlin has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Swiss Music Prize in 2016. He has also been a guest lecturer and composer-in-residence at several universities and music festivals around the world. Overall, Alfred Zimmerlin is a highly respected composer and cellist who has made significant contributions to contemporary classical music. His innovative use of extended techniques and improvisation has helped to expand the boundaries of the cello as a solo instrument and as part of a larger ensemble. Zimmerlin's compositions are challenging and complex, yet also deeply expressive and emotionally engaging.

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