Role

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Composer

Period

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Contemporary

Genre

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Avant-Garde

 

Johannes Kretz is a contemporary Austrian composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 22, 1968, in Graz, Austria, Kretz grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a conductor, and his mother was a pianist. Kretz started playing the piano at a young age and showed a keen interest in music from an early age. Kretz received his formal education in music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, where he studied composition with Beat Furrer and Georg Friedrich Haas. He also studied electronic music with Gerhard Eckel and Karlheinz Essl. Kretz's education in music was a significant influence on his compositions, which often incorporate electronic elements. Kretz's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. However, as he developed his own style, Kretz began to incorporate elements of electronic music and sound art into his compositions. His works often explore the relationship between sound and space, and he has created several site-specific installations that use sound to transform physical spaces. One of Kretz's most significant works is his 2004 composition "Körper und Seele" (Body and Soul), which was commissioned by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece is a multimedia work that combines live music with video projections and electronic soundscapes. The work explores the relationship between the physical body and the soul, and it has been performed in several different versions, including a version for chamber orchestra and a version for solo piano. Another notable work by Kretz is his 2010 composition "Lichtbogen" (Arc of Light), which was commissioned by the Donaueschingen Festival. The piece is a site-specific installation that uses sound to transform the physical space of the festival's performance venue. The work consists of a series of speakers arranged in a circle around the audience, creating a surround-sound effect. The speakers emit a series of electronic sounds that are synchronized with a series of lights that are projected onto the walls of the venue. The result is a mesmerizing audiovisual experience that blurs the boundaries between sound and space. Kretz's works have been performed by several prominent orchestras and ensembles, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ensemble Modern. He has also been the recipient of several awards and honors, including the Ernst Krenek Prize for Music in 2002 and the Austrian State Prize for Music in 2010. In addition to his work as a composer, Kretz is also a professor of composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. He has mentored several young composers and has been a strong advocate for the integration of electronic music and sound art into classical music. In conclusion, Johannes Kretz is a contemporary composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works explore the relationship between sound and space and often incorporate electronic elements. Kretz's compositions have been performed by several prominent orchestras and ensembles, and he has been the recipient of several awards and honors.

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