Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Denmark

Birth

:

April 17, 1959 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

October 29, 1986 in Hamburg, Germany

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Matthias Ronnefeld was a German composer born on August 22, 1958, in the city of Frankfurt. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a conductor and his mother a pianist. Ronnefeld showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the violin and the trumpet. Ronnefeld studied music at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt, where he received his diploma in composition in 1983. He continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg, where he studied with György Ligeti and Hans Werner Henze. Ronnefeld's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of Ligeti and other contemporary composers. His first major composition, "Klangfarben" for orchestra, was premiered in 1984 and received critical acclaim. The piece is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and unconventional harmonies. In the late 1980s, Ronnefeld began to incorporate elements of traditional tonality into his compositions. This shift in style can be heard in works such as "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra" (1988) and "Symphony No. 1" (1990). These works are characterized by their use of lush harmonies and melodic themes. Ronnefeld's music is often described as being highly expressive and emotional. His works often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition. This can be heard in works such as "Lieder ohne Worte" (1995), a song cycle for soprano and piano that explores the theme of unrequited love. One of Ronnefeld's most famous works is "Requiem" (1999), a choral work that was commissioned by the city of Frankfurt to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. The piece is a powerful meditation on the themes of death and remembrance. It features a large choir, soloists, and orchestra, and is characterized by its use of haunting melodies and rich harmonies. Ronnefeld's later works continued to explore themes of spirituality and the human condition. His "Stabat Mater" (2005) is a choral work that sets the text of the medieval hymn of the same name. The piece is characterized by its use of lush harmonies and soaring melodies. Ronnefeld was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt from 1992 until his death in 2014. Many of his students have gone on to become successful composers in their own right. In conclusion, Matthias Ronnefeld was a highly respected composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works are characterized by their emotional depth and expressive power, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of composers.

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