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Composer  

 

Peter Riehm was a German composer and pianist who was born on August 22, 1953, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a pianist and his mother a singer. From a young age, Riehm showed a great interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Riehm received his formal music education at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt, where he studied piano with Alfons Kontarsky and composition with Wolfgang Fortner. He also studied with Karlheinz Stockhausen at the Darmstadt Summer Courses for New Music. Riehm's early works were heavily influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of Stockhausen and Pierre Boulez. However, he soon began to develop his own unique style, which combined elements of serialism, minimalism, and traditional tonality. One of Riehm's most notable early works is his Piano Sonata No. 1, which he composed in 1975. The piece is a complex and virtuosic work that showcases Riehm's technical skill as a pianist and his innovative approach to composition. The sonata was well-received by critics and helped establish Riehm as a rising star in the world of contemporary classical music. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Riehm continued to compose a wide range of works, including chamber music, orchestral works, and operas. One of his most significant works from this period is his opera Die Eroberung von Mexico (The Conquest of Mexico), which he composed in 1987. The opera tells the story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th century and features a complex and innovative score that incorporates elements of Mexican folk music and European classical music. In addition to his work as a composer, Riehm was also a highly respected pianist and performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States. He was particularly known for his interpretations of contemporary classical music and was a frequent collaborator with other composers and performers. In the early 2000s, Riehm began to explore new directions in his music, incorporating elements of jazz and popular music into his compositions. One of his most notable works from this period is his Piano Concerto No. 2, which he composed in 2003. The concerto features a lively and rhythmic score that draws on a wide range of musical influences, from classical to jazz to rock. Despite his success as a composer and performer, Riehm remained a humble and dedicated musician throughout his life. He was known for his tireless work ethic and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary classical music. He continued to compose and perform until his death on December 23, 2016, at the age of 63. Today, Peter Riehm is remembered as one of the most innovative and influential composers of his generation. His music continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world, and his legacy as a composer and pianist remains an inspiration to future generations of musicians.

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