Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

August 16, 1953 in Graz, Austria

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Ballet

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Georg Friedrich Haas is a contemporary Austrian composer who has gained international recognition for his innovative and experimental approach to classical music. Born on August 16, 1953, in Graz, Austria, Haas grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He later studied composition at the Musikhochschule in Graz and the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, where he was mentored by the renowned composer Friedrich Cerha. Haas's early works were influenced by the serialist and avant-garde movements of the 20th century, but he soon began to develop his own unique style. He is known for his use of microtonality, which involves dividing the octave into smaller intervals than the traditional Western tuning system. This allows for a wider range of harmonic possibilities and creates a distinctive sound that is both complex and ethereal. One of Haas's most notable works is his opera "in vain," which premiered in 2000 and has since been performed around the world. The opera is known for its use of darkness and silence, as well as its exploration of themes such as violence, power, and oppression. The score includes a wide range of instruments, including a large percussion section, and features moments of intense dissonance and chaos as well as moments of quiet introspection. Another notable work by Haas is his "String Quartet No. 3," which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet and premiered in 2001. The piece is known for its use of microtonality and its exploration of the limits of the string quartet form. The quartet is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the microtonal scale. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of sound and its ability to create a sense of otherworldliness. Haas has also composed a number of orchestral works, including "Dark Dreams," which was commissioned by the Berlin Philharmonic and premiered in 2013. The piece is known for its use of microtonality and its exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche. The score includes a wide range of instruments, including a large percussion section and a number of unconventional instruments such as the waterphone and the glass harmonica. In addition to his work as a composer, Haas is also a respected teacher and has taught at a number of institutions around the world. He has been a professor of composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz since 1989 and has also taught at institutions such as Columbia University and the Hochschule für Musik in Basel. Haas's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Grand Austrian State Prize for Music in 2017. He is considered one of the most important composers of his generation and continues to push the boundaries of classical music with his innovative and experimental approach.

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