Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Poland

Birth

:

January 10, 1935 in Silesia, Poland

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Georg Katzer was a German composer who was born on January 10, 1935, in Habelschwerdt, Silesia, which is now known as Bystrzyca Kłodzka, Poland. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church musician and his mother a singer. Katzer began playing the piano at a young age and later studied composition at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin. Katzer's early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement, and he was a member of the Group of New Music in Berlin. He was also interested in electronic music and worked at the Studio for Electronic Music in Berlin. In the 1970s, Katzer began incorporating elements of traditional music into his compositions, particularly from Eastern Europe and Asia. One of Katzer's most notable works is his opera "Antigone," which was premiered in 1988. The opera is based on the Greek tragedy by Sophocles and features a libretto by Heiner Müller. The music combines elements of traditional Greek music with modern techniques, and the opera has been performed in Germany and other countries. Another significant work by Katzer is his "Symphony No. 4," which was premiered in 1990. The symphony is based on the poem "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot and features a large orchestra and choir. The music is complex and challenging, with elements of atonality and dissonance. Katzer also composed several chamber music works, including "String Quartet No. 2" and "Sonata for Violin and Piano." These works showcase Katzer's ability to blend traditional and modern elements, creating a unique and compelling sound. Throughout his career, Katzer received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was awarded the National Prize of East Germany in 1977 and the Order of Merit of Berlin in 1995. He also served as a professor of composition at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin from 1980 to 2000. Georg Katzer passed away on May 7, 2019, in Berlin, Germany. His legacy as a composer continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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