Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1965

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Markus Zahnhausen is a German composer, born on August 22, 1965, in Frankfurt am Main. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a conductor and his mother a pianist. Zahnhausen started playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. He was exposed to classical music from an early age and was particularly drawn to the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Zahnhausen studied composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt, where he was mentored by the renowned composer Hans Zender. He also studied musicology and philosophy at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. During his studies, Zahnhausen was awarded several scholarships, including the German National Academic Foundation Scholarship and the German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship. Zahnhausen's early works were influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. He was also influenced by the music of György Ligeti and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Zahnhausen's compositions are characterized by their complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and unconventional use of instruments. One of Zahnhausen's early works, "Klangspuren" (Sound Traces), was premiered in 1990 by the Ensemble Modern in Frankfurt. The piece is scored for a large ensemble of 18 musicians and features a wide range of instruments, including the accordion, the bass clarinet, and the vibraphone. "Klangspuren" is a highly rhythmic and energetic work that showcases Zahnhausen's skill in creating complex textures and intricate rhythms. In 1992, Zahnhausen was awarded the Kranichsteiner Musikpreis, a prestigious award for young composers. The award recognized his talent and potential as a composer and helped to establish him as a rising star in the world of contemporary classical music. Zahnhausen's later works continued to explore new and unconventional approaches to composition. In 1996, he composed "Klangräume" (Sound Spaces), a work for two pianos and percussion that features extended techniques and unconventional playing methods. The piece was premiered by the pianists Andreas Grau and Götz Schumacher and the percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky. In 2001, Zahnhausen composed "Klangschatten" (Sound Shadows), a work for string quartet and electronics. The piece features live processing of the string quartet's sound, creating a unique and immersive sonic experience. "Klangschatten" was premiered by the Arditti Quartet and has since been performed by numerous ensembles around the world. Zahnhausen's most recent works have focused on the intersection of music and technology. In 2016, he composed "Klangkörper" (Sound Bodies), a work for orchestra and live electronics. The piece features a large orchestra augmented by electronic sounds, creating a rich and complex sonic landscape. "Klangkörper" was premiered by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and has been praised for its innovative use of technology in classical music. In addition to his work as a composer, Zahnhausen is also a respected music educator. He has taught composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He has also served as a guest lecturer at numerous universities and conservatories around the world. Zahnhausen's contributions to contemporary classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

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