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Manuela Kerer is a contemporary classical music composer born on October 16, 1980, in Bolzano, Italy. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a composer and her mother a pianist. Kerer started playing the piano at the age of four and began composing her own music at the age of eight. Kerer studied composition at the Conservatory of Bolzano and later at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, where she received her Master's degree in composition. During her studies, she also attended masterclasses with renowned composers such as Salvatore Sciarrino, Beat Furrer, and Georg Friedrich Haas. Kerer's music is characterized by a unique blend of contemporary techniques and traditional elements, often incorporating elements of folk music from her native South Tyrol. Her compositions are known for their intricate textures, rich harmonies, and use of extended techniques. One of Kerer's early works, "Lichtungen," for string quartet, was premiered in 2003 and received critical acclaim. The piece features a complex interplay of textures and harmonies, with the strings often playing in unconventional ways, such as plucking the strings with their fingernails. In 2005, Kerer was awarded the prestigious Erste Bank Composition Prize for her work "Kreuzungen," which was premiered by the Klangforum Wien. The piece features a large ensemble of instruments, including percussion, winds, and strings, and explores the intersections between different musical styles and traditions. Kerer's music has been performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2010, she was commissioned by the Salzburg Festival to write a new work for the opening concert, which was performed by the Vienna Philharmonic under the direction of Daniel Barenboim. One of Kerer's most notable works is "Lieder ohne Worte," a cycle of songs for soprano and piano based on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. The piece was premiered in 2012 and has since been performed by numerous singers and pianists around the world. The songs are characterized by their haunting melodies and rich harmonies, with the piano often playing intricate patterns underneath the soaring vocal lines. In addition to her work as a composer, Kerer is also a dedicated teacher and has taught composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna since 2012. She has also served as a guest lecturer and mentor at various institutions around the world, including the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Kerer's music has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Austrian State Prize for Music in 2016. Her works have been featured on numerous recordings, including the album "Manuela Kerer: Lieder ohne Worte" released by the label NEOS in 2015. Overall, Manuela Kerer is a highly respected and influential composer in the contemporary classical music world. Her unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements, combined with her use of extended techniques and intricate textures, has earned her a reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting composers of her generation.

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