Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

September 25, 1937

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Thomas Kessler was a Swiss composer who was born on March 16, 1937, in Zurich, Switzerland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Kessler began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study music at the Zurich Conservatory, where he received a diploma in piano performance in 1957. After completing his studies, Kessler began working as a freelance pianist and composer. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented musician and was soon commissioned to write music for various ensembles and orchestras. In 1962, he was awarded a scholarship to study composition with Karlheinz Stockhausen in Cologne, Germany. This experience had a profound impact on Kessler's music, and he began to incorporate avant-garde techniques into his compositions. Kessler's early works were heavily influenced by the serialism and electronic music of the mid-20th century. His compositions often featured complex rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and unconventional instrumentation. One of his most notable early works is "Klangfiguren I," which was composed in 1963 and features a solo piano accompanied by electronic sounds. In the 1970s, Kessler began to explore new forms of music, including improvisation and jazz. He collaborated with jazz musicians such as saxophonist Urs Leimgruber and pianist Irène Schweizer, and his compositions began to incorporate elements of jazz and free improvisation. One of his most famous works from this period is "Improvisations for Orchestra," which was composed in 1976 and features a large ensemble of improvising musicians. Throughout his career, Kessler was also interested in the relationship between music and politics. He was a member of the Communist Party of Switzerland and was involved in various political movements. His music often reflected his political beliefs, and he composed works that addressed social and political issues. One of his most famous political works is "Requiem for Che Guevara," which was composed in 1968 and features a choir and orchestra. In the 1980s and 1990s, Kessler continued to experiment with new forms of music. He began to incorporate elements of world music into his compositions, and he collaborated with musicians from around the world. One of his most famous works from this period is "Klangfiguren III," which was composed in 1990 and features a large ensemble of musicians playing instruments from different cultures. Kessler's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Swiss Music Prize in 2014. In addition to his work as a composer, Kessler was also a respected music educator. He taught composition at the Zurich Conservatory and the Basel Academy of Music, and he mentored many young composers throughout his career. Thomas Kessler passed away on March 21, 2020, at the age of 83. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential music that continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

More....