Bernd Franke
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Bernd Franke was born in 1959 in Weissenfels/Saale and grew up in an open, tolerant, and, with regard to music, an undogmatic family home. There, as a child, he came into contact with classical music, jazz and pop music, which were regarded as completely equal. Such a musical understanding still characterizes him to this day, which explains his passion for improvisation. Characteristic of his œuvre since the 1980s is the crossing of borders, both musically and by incorporating socially relevant themes. Between 1975 and 1981 he studied composition with Siegfried Thiele and conducting with Wolf-Dieter Hauschild at the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Musikhochschule Leipzig. In 1980 he founded the ensemble ‘Junge Musik’ Leipzig and continued to lead the group until 1983. Since 1981 he has taught at the Institute of Musicology at Leipzig University and the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Musikhochschule Leipzig. Since 2003 he has been Professor for composition, music of the 20th and 21st century, music theory and analysis at the University of Leipzig. He was also the recipient of the Hanns Eisler Prize and Mendelssohn Scholarship in 1981.
From 1981 to 1985 he was Meisterschüler at the Academy of Arts in East Berlin. He began regular correspondence with Stockhausen, Nono, Ligeti and Henze in the mid-80s, visiting Lutosławski in Warsaw too. In 1987 he was awarded the Composition prize at the 9th Boswil International Composition Seminar (Künstlerhaus Boswil Foundation, Switzerland) and the Kucyna International Composition Prize, Boston (USA). His association with the Künstlerhaus Boswil Foundation continued in the form of a number of long-term work residencies.
In 1988 he was involved in composer workshops at the Gaudeamus Foundation Amsterdam working with Ton de Leeuw and Chu Wen Chung among others, and in the same year he began work on his cycle half-way house - SOLO XFACH (for Joseph Beuys) with Solo 3fach. The piece was premiered that year by the Kölner Horntrio at the Alte Oper, Frankfurt.
He received the Leonard Bernstein Fellowship from the Tanglewood Music Center, USA in 1989 and studied with Bernstein, Lukas Foss, Louis Krasner and Oliver Knussen, amongst others. His first meeting with Hans Werner Henze, who was to become his mentor in the early 90s, came at the world premiere of the West-Eastern German Songbook at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. Franke’s Wann wird Friede sein, based on a text by Karl Vollmoeller, was included in the project. He continued to exchange letters with Henze and was to meet him regularly in Berlin, Munich, London and San Marino.
In 1993 he received study grants and delivered a series of lectures in the USA, including in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Carrollton and Minneapolis. In 1994 Henze invited Franke to sit on the jury at the Munich Biennale for New Music Theater. Between 1996 and 1998 he was Artistic Director of the ‘New Music at the Beck Galerie’ (Leipzig/Düsseldorf) series and in 1998 founded Ensemble SOLO XFACH with the aim of promoting authentic performances of the cycle of the same name. Since 1998 he has undertaken a number of long-term study trips and working stays in Southeast Asia and India.
The first productions of SOLO XFACH came in 2000: playback tapes were produced in Berlin Technical University’s electronic studio, parts of the SOLO XFACH cycle were produced at Hessian Radio Frankfurt with Ensemble SOLO XFACH and a full-length concert featuring SOLO XFACH (for Joseph Beuys) and a video installation by Peter Kees was staged in the German Pavillion at the Hanover EXPO.
In 2001 Franke began work on his CUT cycle; CUT I-III was given its world premiere by Ensemble Modern. 2002 marked the beginning of Franke’s association with C.F. Peters and since then his works have been exclusively published by the company. Franke became a member of the ‘Sächsische Akademie der Künste’ Dresden in the same year.
Since the beginning of the nineties he has been in close cooperation (lectures and concert tours) with the Goethe Institute (including Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New York, Toronto, Winnipeg, Prague, Helsinki, Stockholm, Kolkata, Bangalore, Tokyo, Taipei, Lithuania, Estonia). Since 2017 Franke has been a Member of the Austrian Society for New Music.
His international orientation and his experiences with different cultures are also reflected in the fact that some of his works were premiered in Asia, including in Tokyo (2013), India / Kolkata (2013) and Taiwan (2014). He was Composer in Residence in Finland / Kaustinen (2003), in Sweden (2004), and in Copenhagen / Ars Nova / Paul Hillier (2008 and 2009), at the Land of the Disobedient Festival in Lithuania (2009), in Kolkata, India (2011), in Taiwan (National Chinese Orchestra Taipei) (2013). In the area of vocal-instrumental works, his interest in intercultural cooperation is also expressed in intensive direct collaboration with lyricists such as David Bengree-Jones (UK), SAID (Iran/Germany), Christian Lehnert (Germany) and Adel Karasholi (Syria/Germany).
Collaboration and Commissions received include those by and with Riccardo Chailly, Kurt Masur, Paul Hillier, Lukas Foss, Michael Sanderling, Joel Sachs, Gabriel Feltz, Andrey Boreyko, Fabian Panisello, Howard Arman, Stefan Blunier, Yukiko Sugawara-Lachenmann, Ueli Wiget, HR, Jürgen Ruck, Wu Wei, and renowned orchestras such as the Gewandhausorchester, the MDR Orchestra, BSO Berlin, Ensemble Modern, London Sinfonietta, Kings Singers, BR/Musica Viva, MDR, NDR, Calmus Ensemble, Raschèr Saxophone Quartet, Amarcord and the National Chinese Orchestra, as well as festivals such as the Darmstädter Ferienkurse.
Many of Franke’s works are produced as cycles, among others SOLO XFACH (for Joseph Beuys), since 1988, CUT I-XII (since 2001), in between (since 2001), and VEIL (since 2013). In his work, he is particularly interested in the processes of the deconstruction of orchestral and ensemble structures, and the further development of organic aleatoric as well as the cultures, philosophies and religions of Asia.
www.berndfranke.de
Orchestra
BlueGreen (2004) 18’ for saxophone quartet and orchestra
SaxQua - 2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(3) - hp - vc solo - str (min.12.10.8.6.4)
Commissioned by Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra
First performed 26 September 2004, Kiel (D), Raschèr Saxophone Quartet and Kiel Philharmonic Orchestra, cond.: Georg Fritzsch
EP 10989
Contrapunctus XI - Die Kunst der Fuge (2019) 8’ for chamber orchestra
2.1.1.1.bcl.2 - 2.2.3.0 - acc - strings
First performed 18 June 2019, Leipzig, St. Thomas Church, Bachfest, by Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, cond.: Omer Meir Wellber
EP 14407
On The Square (2006/07) 21’ for orchestra
3.3.3.3 - 4.2.3.1 - timp - perc(3) - hp - str - offstage: ob, tp, vib, va
Commissioned by Musikalische Akademie des Nationaltheaters Mannheim
First performed 14 May 2007, Mannheim (D), by the Orchestra of the Nationaltheater Mannheim, cond.: Axel Kober
EP 12601
open doors (2002) 14’ for bandoneon or accordion and orchestra
band/acdn solo - 1(picc).1.1(clEb).1 - 1.1.flghn.1.1 - timp - perc(3) - hp - pf - str - CD
Commissioned by Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR)
First performed 21 January 2003, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Per Arne Glorvigen (bandoneon) and MDR Symphony Orchestra, cond.: Rolf Gupta
version for accordion
First performed 17 April 2012, Freiburg (D), by Theodoro Anzellotti (acc) and Philharmonisches Orchester Freiburg, cond.: Fabrice Bollon
EP 10985
Praya Dubia (2009-2011) 17’ for orchestra
For Esbjörn Svensson
3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(3) - hp - str (14.12.10.8.6)
Commissioned by Musica Viva and Bayerischer Rundfunk
First performed 27 May 2011, Munich, by Orchester des Bayrischen Rundfunks, cond.: Lukas Vis
EP 12597
Raschèr Fanfare (2002) 14’ for saxophone orchestra
sopr sax(2), alto sax(4), ten sax(2), bar sax(2), bass sax(2)
Commissioned by Kaustinen Chamber Music Festival
First performed 01 February 2003, Kaustinen Chamber Music Festival (FIN), by the Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra, cond.: Bruce Weinberger
EP 10986
The way down is the way up II (2010) 21’ for orchestra
2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc - hp - pf - str
Commissioned by Stuttgarter Philharmoniker
First performed 07 October 2010, Stuttgart, Liederhalle, by Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, cond.: by Gabriel Feltz
EP 12596
Three Marches for C. I. (2002) 15’ for orchestra
solo trp, solo bsn - picc.2.2.cor anglais.3.3 - 4.3.3.1 - perc(8)
Commissioned by the American Wind Symphony Orchestra
First performed (part I) 21 June 2002, Pittsburgh (USA), by American Wind Symphony Orchestra, cond.: Robert Boudreau
First performed (part II and III) 21 June 2003, Pittsburgh (USA), by American Wind Symphony Orchestra, cond.: Robert Boudreau EP 68026
Träumerei (2010) 3’ for woodwind and strings (arrangement of Robert Schumann’s op. 15, No. 7)
1.0.1.0 - 8.7.6.5.4
First performed 15 January 2010, Düsseldorf (D), Tonhalle, by Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, cond.: Andrey Boreyko EP 13462
Yellow Clouds (2009) 10’ for string orchestra
Commissioned by Young Euro Classics
First performed 21 August 2009, Berlin, Konzerthaus, by Junge Deutsche Streicherphilharmonie, cond.: Michael Sanderling EP 12594
Solo Concertos with Orchestra
Agni - Musik für Bassklarinette und Orchester (2019) 17’ for bass clarinet and orchestra bass clarinet solo - 2.2.2.2 - 2.2.3.1 - hp - timp, perc(2) - str. (8.6.4.4.3)
First performed 23 November 2019, Großenhain (D), Kulturzentrum, by Volker Hemken and Elbland Philharmonie, cond.: Ekkehard Klemm EP 14437
Arka - 3 Rituale (2019) 23’ for oboe, pipa soli and chamber orchestra oboe, pipa soli - timp, perc - str. (7.5.4.3.1)
First performed 27 October 2019, Neuss (D), by Ya Dong (pipa), Christian Wetzel (oboe) and Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss am Rhein, cond.: Isabelle van Keulen
EP 1445
MYO (2014/15) 31’
for violin and orchestra
vn solo - 2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(4) - hp - pf - str - offstage: va, vc
Commissioned by Gewandhaus zu Leipzig
First performed 21 May 2015, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Sebastian Breuninger (violin) and Gewandhausorchester, cond.: Michael Sanderling
EP 14105
Mirror and Circle (2013/14) 18’ for pipa, violoncello and chinese orchestra
Commissioned by National Chinese Orchestra
First performed 18th May 2014, Taipei, by Ya Dong (Pipa), Peter Bruns (vc) and National Chinese Orchestra, cond.: Yan Hui Chang
EP 14287
CUT
Cycle for Orchestras / Ensembles with various instrumentations
CUT I (For Manfred H. Wenninger) (2001) 6’ for electric guitar, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion and piano
First performed 10 October 2001, Dresden, by Ensemble Modern, cond.: Kasper de Roo
EP 10961
CUT II (For Jean Guitton) (2001) 6’ for percussion, harp, 2 violins, viola and double bass
First performed 10 October 2001, Dresden, by Ensemble Modern, cond.: Kasper de Roo
EP 10962
CUT III (For Eduard Goldstücker) (2001) 6’ for violoncello, oboe, clarinet, soprano saxophone and bassoon
First performed 10 October 2001, Dresden, by Ensemble Modern, cond.: Kasper de Roo
EP 10963
CUT I-III 12’ (simultaneous version) for ensemble
1.1.1.sopr sax.1 - 1.1.1.0 - perc - pf - harp - electric guitar - 1.1.1.1.1
Commissioned by Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik
First performed 10 October 2001, Dresden, by Ensemble Modern, cond.: Kasper de Roo
EP 10964
CUT IV (for Joanna Pousette-Dart) (2003/04) 17’ for flute and ensemble
fl solo (picc, b-fl) - 2(picc).1(ob-d’A).2(2.Ecl).2 - 0.1.0.0 - hp - cel - 3.0.0.3.1
CUT V (for Philip Roth) (2003/04) 17’ for oboe and ensemble
ob solo (ob-d’A) - 1(a-fl).2(2.ca).0.b-cl.0.cbsn - 2.0.1.0 - perc(3) - 0.0.1.3.3
Double Life (2003/04) 20’
simultaneous version of CUT IV and CUT V for oboe, flute and orchestra
Commissioned by Staatstheater Darmstadt
Movements can be formed both separately and simultaneously fl.ob soli - 2(picc,1.afl).2(1.ob-d’a.2.ca).2(2.cl-Eb).b-cl.2.cbsn - 2.1.1.0 - hp - cel - perc(3) - str (0.0.3.3.3)
First performed 31 October 2004, Darmstadt (D), Staatstheater, by Andrea Lieberknecht (flute), Christian Wetzel (oboe), Orchester des Staatstheaters Darmstadt, cond.: Stefan Blunier
EP 10990
CUT VI - VIII (2005/06) 24’
CUT VI (for Colin McPhee) • CUT VII (for J. S. B.) • CUT VIII (for Hans Werner Henze) for orchestra
3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(4) - hp - str - offstage: vc solo
Commissioned by Gewandhaus Leipzig
First performed 26 May 2006, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Gewandhausorchester, cond.: Riccardo Chailly
Separate version of CUT VIII first performed 31 August 2007, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Gewandhausorchester, cond.: Riccardo Chailly
EP 11032
All three movements can be performed separately.
CUT IX - XI (2008/09) 27’
CUT IX (for R.S.) • CUT X (for J.B.) • CUT XI (for C.S.) for orchestra
2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(3) - pf - hp - str
Commissioned by Düsseldorfer Tonhalle
First performed 15 January 2010, Düsseldorf, Tonhalle, by Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, cond.: Andrey Boreyko
CUT X first performed 24 November 2010, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Christian Giger
EP 12586
(CUT IX EP 12606; CUT X EP 12587; CUT XI EP 12588)
half-way house - SOLO XFACH (For Joseph Beuys) Cycle for Ensembles with various instrumentations
...in Annäherung (1997/98) 14’ for piano solo
First performed 07 June 1998, Bonn (D), Oper Bonn, by Yukiko Sugawara EP 10886
Solo 2fach - in Annäherung (I) (1997) 17’ for flute (picc., alto, bass) and piano
First performed 01 October 1997, Chemnitz (D), by Irmela Boßler (flute) and Bernhard Kastner (piano) EP 10971
Solo 2fach - in Annäherung (II) (1997/98) 17’ for oboe (cor anglais, oboe d’amore) and piano
First performed 08 November 1998, Schreyahn (D), by Christian Wetzel (oboe) and Julien Salemcour (piano) EP 10972
Solo 2fach - in Annäherung (III) (1997/98) 21’ for viola and piano
First performed 27 January 1999, Munich, by Christiane Arnold (viola) and Siegfried Mauser (piano) EP 10973
Solo 2fach - in Annäherung (IV) (1997-2000) 21’ for bass clarinet and piano
First performed 03 May 2001, Heidelberg (D), by Volker Hemken (clarinet) and Bernhard Kastner (piano) EP 10974
Solo 3fach – für Violine, Horn und Klavier (1988) 17’ for violin, horn and piano In Memory of Joseph Beuys
Commissioned by Frankfurter Feste
First performed 30 August 1988, Frankfurt (Main), by Kölner Horntrio EP 10975
Solo 4fach - überlagernd (1999/2000) 20’ for violin, harp, bandoneon and electric guitar
Commissioned by EXPO 2000
First performed 15 October 2000, Hannover (D), EXPO 2000, by Ensemble SOLO XFACH EP 10976
Solo 5fach - zerbrechend (1998) 20’ for horn, flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Commissioned by Ma’alot Quintet
First performed 10 March 1999, Bonn (D), by Ma’alot Quintet EP 10977
Solo 6fach - erstarrt (1994) Version A: 28’ / Version B: 22’ for percussion ensemble
Commissioned by Stiftung Kulturfond
First performed 08 February 1995, Leipzig, by Leipziger Schlagzeugensemble EP 10978
Solo 7fach - in Distanz (1996) 20’ for ensemble
flute, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass
Commissioned by Stiftung Kulturfond
First performed 12 September 1996, Berlin, by Ensemble UnitedBerlin EP 10979
Solo 8fach - in Bewegung (2003) 20’ for 4 trumpets, 3 saxophones and electric bass guitar
First performed (bass guitar part) 11 May 2003, Berlin, Hamburger Bahnhof, by Stefan Conradi
EP 10980
Solo 9fach - ins Unendliche (For Erich Hauser) (2001) 20’ for pipa, 2 percussionists, violoncello, double bass, oboe, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon
Commissioned by Festival Rottweil
First performed 23 June 2001, Rottweil (D), by Festival Ensemble
EP 10981
Solo xfach – tape (I-IV) (2000)
Production in studios of the Technical University Berlin and of the Hessian Broadcast, Frankfurt (Main)
Music informatic and tape: Ipke Starke and Bernd Franke
Solo xfach-tape (I, II, IV) / The tapes can be played as a prologue before the concert, as an interlude during the interval and as an epilogue after the concert.
Solo xfach-tape (III) / The tape can be played as a simultaneous version with all following parts whether performed individually or simultaneous.
First performed 15 October 2000, Hannover, EXPO 2000
EP 10983
Nearly all parts are compatible with one another. For further details see composer’s homepage or contact us.
in between Cycle for Ensembles with various instrumentations
in between (I) (2005) 12’ for violin and piano
First performed 2005, Tokyo, Bunka-Kaikan-Hall, UNENO-Park, by Gertrud Schilde (violin) and Klaus Schilde (piano)
EP 11239
in between (II) (2007) 15’ for piano, clarinet, trombone and violoncello
First performed 13 December 2007, Warsaw, Centre for Contemporary Art, by Mike Svoboda (trb), Pawel Mykietyn (cl), Jan K. Broja (pf) and Andrzej Bauer (vc)
EP 12589
in between (III) (2006/07) 14’ for clarinet and piano
First performed 10 May 2007, Mannheim (D), Nationaltheater, Theatercafe, by Ulrike Höfer (pf) and Nikolaus Friedrich (cl)
EP 12590
in between (IV) (2004-2007) 10’ for two violins
First performed 02 December 2008, Stockholm, by Duo Gelland
EP 11317
in between (V) (2009) 9’ for violin and violoncello
First performed 13 March 2009, Leipzig, Stadtgeschichtliches Museum, by Edwin Ilg (vn) and Sascha Werchau (vc)
EP 12593
in between (VI) (2012) 17’ for sho and sheng
Commissioned by Naoyuki Manabe
First performed 25 December 2012, Tokyo, Tokyo Opera Recital Hall, by Naoyuki Manabe (Sho) and Wu Wei (Sheng)
EP 12968
Lines
Cycle for Solo voice and Ensembles with various instrumentations
Lines (I) (2004) 12’ for soprano and ensemble
Based on poems by Novalis
soprano (percussion), timpani (percussion), strings: 1.1.2.2.0, electric bass guitar
Soprano part can also be performed with the Timpani part alone - further instruments can be added
Commissioned by Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung
First performed 10 July 2004, Nörten-Hardenberg (D), Hardenberg Atrium, by Ulrike Stöve (soprano) and European Music Project Ensemble
EP 11033
Lines (II) (2007) 17’ for soprano / treble and ensemble
soprano, clarinet, trumpet, percussion, violin, violoncello and double bass
Commissioned by Gesellschaft für Kunst und Kritik
First performed 03 July 2008, Leipzig, by Elmar Kühn (treble), Tobias Lampelzammer (db), Gerd Schenker (perc) and Ensemble Hofklang
EP 12591
Lines (III) (2009) 10’ for baritone and ensemble
Based on texts by William D. Thoreau
baritone, flute, clarinet, piano, violin, viola, violoncello
Commissioned by the International Festival of Music and Ecology: ‘The Land of the Disobedient’, Neringa, Lithuania
First performed 08 July 2009, Neringa (LT), by “The Land of the Disobedient - Ensemble”
EP 12592
Veil
Cycle for Orchestras / Ensembles with various instrumentations
Veil I (2013) 18’
version for chamber orchestra
fl, ob, cl(2), bsn, hn, trp(2), trb, pf(2), perc(2), str: 1.1.1.2.1
First performed 28 October 2013, Madrid, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, by Ensemble Modern, cond.: Fabián Panisello EP 12993
Veil (I) (2014) 11’
Three Movements for Orchestra
2(also picc.).2.2(Bb, Eb).2 - 2.2.2.0 - pf - hp - timp - perc(3) - str
First performed 13 February 2015, Cottbus (D), by Philharmonisches Orchester Cottbus, cond.: Ruben Gazarian EP 12993
Veil (II) (2014) 11’
Three Movements for Orchestra
2(also picc.).2.2(Bb, Eb).2 - 2.2.2.0 - pf - hp - timp - perc(3) - str
Commissioned by the Staatstheater Cottbus
First performed 27 March 2015, Cottbus (D), by Philharmonisches Orchester Cottbus, cond.: Evan Christ EP 14086
AGNI (2010) 12’ for bass clarinet solo
First performed 04 December 2020, Leipzig, by Volker Hemken
EP 14437a
Amduat (For Fausto Moroni) (2008) 15’ for violin, viola and violoncello
First performed 16 January 2010, Düsseldorf, Tonhalle, by Ensemble Notabu
EP 12608
another way to describe monsters and whores (For Goya) (2003/04) 10’
3 pieces for solo guitar
First performed (Part I) 09 October 2003, Stuttgart, Staatsgalerie, by Jürgen Ruck
First complete performance 18 February 2006, Düsseldorf, Insel Hombroich, by Jürgen Ruck
EP 12609
approaching Mahler (2005) 6’ for brass ensemble, timpani and percussion
hn, trp(4), trb(4), tb, timp, perc
Commissioned by Mahler-Festwochen Toblach
First performed 09 July 2005, Toblach (I), by Bundesjugendorchester, cond.: Gerd Albrecht
EP 10997
Die Zeit ist ein Fluß ohne Ufer (1985/86) 14’
6 x Chagall for 10 instruments
fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, trp, trb, tb, hp, pf
First performed 26 September 1987, Boston (USA), by Ensemble ALEA III, cond.: Theodore Antoniou
EP 10960
For Elliott Carter (2004) 16’
five pieces for solo timpani
First performed 02 May 2004, Ulm (D), ‘Neue Musik im Stadthaus’, by Jürgen Grözinger
EP 11220
Herzschlag (for M.L.) (2018) 9’
music for brass ensemble
hn, trp(4), trb(4), tb
EP 14377
Iter magneticum (1990) 20’ for piano (4ms)
First performed 01 December 1990, Berlin, by Joseph Christoph and Steffen Schleiermacher
EP 10987
Le Quattro Volte (2015) 18’
musica per clarinetto (Bb), violino e pianoforte
Commissioned by Ensemble Pagon
First performed 26 November 2015, Berlin, Österreichisches Kulturforum, by Ensemble Pagon
EP 14144
New Brass Opera (2007) 12’ for horn, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, tuba, conductor (also tamtam)
Commissioned by Hohenlohe Brass
First performed 01 January 2008, Öhringen (D), by Hohenlohe Brass
EP 12602
Stille Wasser (2006) 9’ for electric guitar, electric bass and CD
First performed 30 July 2006, Rüsselsheim (D), by Duo Conradi-Gehlen
EP 12595R
The way down is the way up (2002) 14’ for string quartet
instrumental version of ‘I met Feldman at the Crossroad...’
First performed 2006, Dresden
EP 10968R
The sky over nine trumpets (for Heinz Mack) (2016) 10’ for nine trumpets
Commissioned by Galerie Beck & Eggeling Düsseldorf and Dommermuth foundation Sankt Moritz
First performed 10 December 2016, Sankt Moritz (CH), by Trumpet Ensemble Lucerne at the Vernissage
“The sky over nine columns by Heinz Mack”
EP 14288
Versuch zur Nähe (1999/2000) 18’
fragments for string quartet
In memory of Louis Krasner
Commissioned by Stiftung Kulturfond, Saxony
First performed 10 May 2000, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Leipziger Streichquartett
EP 10984
Solo Vocalist and Orchestra / Ensemble
Daheim in der Fremde (2016) 31’ scene for baritone, voice (speaker), oud, percussion and orchestra
Libretto: Adel Karasholi
Commissioned by Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung
First performed 24 February 2017, Cottbus, Theaterhaus, by Philharmonisches Orchester Cottbus, Adel Karasholi (speaker), Andreas Jäpl (baritone), Cham Saloum (oud/voice), Nora Thiele (solo percussion), cond.: Evan Christ
EP 14219
Ein Licht, das uns nicht kennt (2017) 24’ for mezzo soprano and saxophone quartet
Based on texts by Christian Lehnert
Commissioned by Dres. Fee and Ingo Holz‚ Freunde des Raschèr Saxophon Quartett and MDR-Musiksommer
First performed 24 August 2017, Leipzig, Museum der Bildenden Künste, by Christina Bock and Raschèr
Saxophone Quartet
EP 14247
Fynbos (2016) 15’ for overtone singer, solo violin, solo violoncello, string orchestra (min. 5.4.3.3.2)
Commissioned by O/Mordent Kammarokester
First performed 29 November 2016, Stockholm, by Gareth Lubbe (singer), Hugo Ticciati (vn), Julian Arp (vc) and O/Mordent Kammarorkester, cond.: Hugo Ticciati
EP 14198
I met Feldman at the crossroad... (2002) 14’ for soprano or male voice (speaker) and string quartet
Based on a sonnet by David Bengree-Jones
Commissioned by Saarländischer Rundfunk
First performed 09 May 2002, Saarbrücken (D), by Cordula Berner (soprano) and Petersen Quartet
EP 10968
vocal and string quartet parts can be performed separately
Memoriam – Tempo e tempi (2009) 17’ for mixed choir and orchestra
Based on poems by Hans-Ulrich Treichel and William Shakespeare
Commissioned by the University of Leipzig
First performed 02 December 2009, University of Leipzig, Neues Paulinum, ceremonial act for the 600-year anniversary of the University, by the Choir of the University of Leipzig, by Mendelssohn Orchestra, cond.: David Timm
EP 12603
Miletus (2008) 30’
for soprano, mixed choir and orchestra
soprano - mixed choir - 2.2.2.2 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - perc(3) - hp - str
Based on poems by David Bengree-Jones and Anaximander
Commissioned by Berliner Philharmonischer Chor
First performed 26 October 2008, Berlin, Philharmonie, by Marietta Zumbült (soprano), Berliner Philharmonischer Chor and Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Halle, cond.: Jörg-Peter Weigle
EP 12598
Petrel Seascapes (2002) 16’
five songs for soprano and orchestra
1.1.1.1 - 1.1.1.1 - perc(3) - hp - pf - 1.1.1.1.1
Based on poems by David Bengree-Jones
First performed 16 April 2002, New York, Lincoln Center, by Camille Zamora (soprano) and New Juilliard
Ensemble, cond.: by Joel Sachs
EP 10965
Zerbrochene Nähe (2000) 14’
scene for baritone and orchestra
2.2.2.2 - 1.2.1.1 - timp - perc(2) - hp - pf(2) - str
Based on texts by Giorgio Caproni, Selma Meerbaum-Eisinger and the ‘Song of Songs’ (Salomo)
Commissioned by the Neue Elbland-Philharmonie
First performed 08 September 2000, Hannover, EXPO 2000, by Yaron Windmüller (baritone) and Neue ElblandPhilharmonie, cond.: Peter Fanger
EP 10970
And Why? (2010) 15’ for five voices or mixed choir
Based on the Psalm 116
Commissioned by Calmus Ensemble
First performed 29 October 2010, Tourville sur Sienne (F), Festival Polyfollia, by Calmus Ensemble
EP 14286
Drei Lieder (2018) 7’ for baritone and piano
Based on texts by Minamoto no Yorimesa
EP 14378
Izutsu - Memento (2020) 12’
Scene for Noh voice solo
Based on texts from the Noh Drama
First performed 15 January 2021, Tokyo, by Ryoko Aoki (solo voice)
EP 14560
Luther Madrigals (2015) 19’ for 6 voices or mixed choir
Based on texts by Martin Luther, William Shakespeare, Petrus Mosellanus and Johannes Dantiscus
Commissioned by Festival für Alte Musik Knechtsteden
First performed 21 September 2015, Knechtsteden (D), Klosterbasilika, by King’s Singers
EP 14124
My friend Teo says (2020) 1’ for five voices
text: Bernd Franke
Commissioned by Ensemble Calmus for the project “Mosaik - 41 Statements zu Coronazeit”
First performed 17 April 2021, Marnach (L), Cube 521, by Ensemble Calmus
EP 14578
Questions (If I were Rain) (2012) 21’ for five voices
Based on texts by Khalil Gibran, Emily Dickinson, Rumi and Sumitra
First performed 05 October 2012, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Ensemble amarcord
EP 14471
Significatio – GESUALDO (2001) 12’ five madrigals for five voices
Based on texts by Carlo Gesualdo
Commissioned by Hallenser Madrigalisten
First performed 17 October 2002, Halle an der Saale (D), Händelkarée, by Hallenser Madrigalsolisten, cond.: Helko Siede
EP 10967
Time is a ... (1999) 8’
1. Performance / 2. Ritual for voices (SATB) and piano
First performed (ritual) 10 May 2002, Saarbrücken (D), by Isa Katharina Gericke, Tijana Grujic, Alec Otto, Bartlomiej Misiuda and Olav Kröger
EP 10969
unseen blue (I) (2002) 25’ for voices and bandoneon
Based on texts by Pascual Contursi, Shakespeare, Rimbaud, Michael Frank and Cesare Pavese
Commissioned by Ensemble Amarcord
First performed 16 November 2002, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Ensemble Amarcord and Per Arne Glorvigen (bandoneon)
EP 10991
unseen blue (II) (2006) 25’ for voices and bandoneon
Based on texts by David Bengree-Jones, Lodovico Agostino, Guillaume de Machaut, Arthur Rimbaud and John Milton
Commissioned by Ensemble Amarcord
First performed 28 April 2006, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Ensemble Amarcord and Per Arne Glorvigen (bandoneon)
EP 11034
Floods (2017) 8’ for mixed choir
Based on poems by Brian Walter (South Africa)
Commissioned by Anne Kohler, Klosterlandschaft OWL and Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsförderung im Kreis Höxter mbH
First performed 01 September 2017, Marienmünster (D), Konzertsaal der Kulturstiftung, by ImPuls-Vokalensemble für Zeitgenossen, cond.: Prof. Anne Kohler
EP 14289
Luther-Quiz (2017) 16’ for male choir and saxophone quartet
Based on texts by Martin Luther and Emily Dickinson
Commissioned by Nordkolleg Rendsburg
First performed 25 May 2017, Rendsburg (D), Christkirche, by Sonux Ensemble and Raschèr Saxophone Quartet, cond.: Hans-Joachim Lustig
EP 14227 (Vocal Score)
EP 14235 (Full Score)
Nähe (2012) 21’ for viola solo and mixed choir
Based on Psalms by SAID
Commissioned by Heinrich-Schütz-Musiktage
First performed 21 October 2012, Weißenfels (D), by Gareth Lubbe (viola) and Vocalconsort Leipzig, cond.: Gregor Meyer
EP 12738
Noch bist du da (2021) 6’ for boys choir (or mixed choir) text: liturgical / Rose Ausländer
First performed 11 September 2021, Leipzig, Thomaskirche, by Thomanerchor, cond.: Andreas Reize EP 14604
On the Dignity of Man (2004/05) 15’ for mixed choir and saxophone quartet
Based on texts by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola
Commissioned by Sächsisches Vocalensemble
First performed 22 May 2005, Glashütte (D), Dresdner Musikfestspiele, by Sächsisches Vocalensemble and Raschèr Saxophone Quartet
EP 10993
choral and saxophone parts can be performed separately
Pran (2012) 17’ for mixed choir
Based on texts by Rabindranath Tagore, translated by Martin Kämpchen, Trina Purohit and Lars-Christian Koch
Commissioned by Goethe Institute
First performed 14 March 2012, Kolkata (IND), by GewandhausChor Leipzig, cond.: Gregor Meyer
EP 12615
Rilke-Madrigale (2005) 12’ for mixed choir
Based on Rainer Maria Rilke’s ‘Duineser Elegien’
Commissioned by Deutscher Musikrat
First performed 21 May 2006, Kiel, by I Vocalisti, cond.: Hans-Joachim Lustig EP 12607
Rubicone (2022) 11’ per coro misto a cappella testo da Leone Ebreo dal “Dialogi d`amore” e Battista Guarini
First performed 23 September 2022, Leipzig, Nikolaikirche, by Ensemble Vocal Modern EP 14657
Sieben Stücke (1981) 7’ for mixed choir, soli and piano
Based on texts by Wilhelm Busch
First performed February 1982, Leipzig, by the Choir of the Institute of Musicology (University of Leipzig), cond.: Bernd Franke
EP 12610
The Death of Orpheus (2010) 18’ for mixed choir and soli
Commissioned by Bayer-Kulturstiftung
First performed 21 September 2010, Dormagen (D), Kloster Knechtsteden, by Rheinische Kantorei, cond.: Hermann Max EP 12600R
Toggeli?! (2004/05) 18’ for chamber choir
Based on a Swiss legend
Commissioned by Kammersprechchor Zürich
First performed June 2006, Zürich, by Kammersprechchor Zürich EP 10995
Und alles schrie (2022) 16’ for mixed choir
texts by Christian Lehnert and Jakob Böhme
First performed 05 November 2022, Dresden, Annenkirche, by Sächsisches Vocalensemble, cond.: Matthias Jung EP 14671
Veyn nisht (2021) 6’ for mixed choir
text: Mordechaj Gebirtig
EP 11650
Wandel (2014) 21’ for violoncello solo, mixed choir and female choir
Based on texts by Christian Lehnert, Friedrich Nietzsche and Pindar
Commissioned by Dresdner Kammerchor
First performed 09 May 2014, Dresden, Festspielhaus Hellerau, by Emil Rovner (vc) and the choir of VitzthumGymnasium Dresden, cond.: Hans-Christoph Rademann
EP 14046
Future Works
Behind me - dips Eternity (2021) 25’ for voices and sho
text: Emily Dickinson / Saigyo
First performance 20 May 2023, Bad Reichenhall (D), by Theatre of voices Copenhagen, by Paul Hillier and Naomi Sato (sho)
EP 14692
Genesis (2021) 31’
Concerto for piano and orchestra
First performance tba, Leipzig, Gewandhaus, by Michael Wollny (piano) and Gewandhausorchester, cond.: Andris
Nelsons
EP 14616
Mythos 116 (2011)
by Calmus Ensemble Carus-VerlagCarus
83.366the Dignity WAR DREAMS (2016)
SPEKTRAL RECORDS
SRL4-16149
Portrait-CD Bernd Franke
Versuch zur Nähe
Significatio-GESUALDO
Gesualdo: fünf Madrigale
Chagall-Musik
Gewandhausorchester, Kurt Masur (Dir./cond.), Leipziger Streichquartett, Hallenser Madrigalisten apollon classics apc 30204
Portrait-CD CUT
original versions and remixes
CUT (I-III) (Einzel- und Simultanaufführung / single and simultaneous version)
CUT-Remixe von zignorii++ (Jürgen Grözinger, Joachim Glasstetter)
For Elliott Carter
I met Feldman at the crossroad… (the way down is the way up)
Ulrike Stöve (Sopr.), Jürgen Grözinger (Pauken/Timp.)
European Music Project, Johannes Rieger (Dir./cond.)
ACCENT MUSIC
SACD publications
AM 64013
Portrait-CD half-way house – SOLO XFACH (für Joseph Beuys)
...in Annäherung (für Klavier solo / for piano solo)
Solo 2fach - … in Annäherung (II)
Solo 7fach - in Distanz
Solo xfach (Simultanversion von / simultaneous version of Solo 2fach, Solo 4fach, Solo 7fach)
Ensemble SOLO XFACH, Bernd Franke
Accent Music
AM 64015
Approaching Mahler
Bundesjugendorchester, Gerd Albrecht (Dir./cond.)
Mitschnitt der UA / Live recording of the world première
Toblach (2005)
Real Sound RS 053-0121
BlueGreen
Raschèr Saxophon Quartett, Philharmonisches Orchester der Landeshauptstadt Kiel, Georg Fritzsch
Dokumentation-CD zum 100jährigen Bestehen des Philharmonischen Orchesters der Landeshauptstadt Kiel / Documentation CD to the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Kiel
CUT I-III
Mitschnitt der UA / Recorded live at the première (2001)
Ensemble Modern, Kasper de Roo (Dir.)
published by Dresdner Zentrum, Sächsische Tonträger
in between (IV)
Duo Gelland
Violin Duos vol. 3
nosag CD 152
Memoriam - Tempo e tempi
Recorded live at the première 2009 querstand 2010
Verlag Klaus-Jürgen Kamprad
VKJK 1008
Sieben Stücke
Kammerchor des Instituts für Musikwissenschaft / Musikpädagogik der Universität Leipzig
VKJK 00298
Significatio – GESUALDO cinque madrigali a cinque voci
Hallenser Madrigalisten, Helko Siede
RCA / Deutscher Musikrat 88697 25239 2 2
(= Musik in Deutschland 1950–2000: Chormusik a cappella 1975–2000)
half-way house – SOLO XFACH (für Joseph Beuys)
Simultanversion für E-Gitarre, E-Bass und Zuspielband / Simultaneous version for E-Guitar, E-Bass and tape
Duo Conradi/Gehlen – Sounds of Venice
Bella Musica BM-CD 31.9224 (2006)
half-way house – SOLO XFACH (für Joseph Beuys)
Perthil Remix von verschiedenen »sounds« aus Teilen aus SOLO XFACH / Perthil Remix of several »sounds« of parts from SOLO XFACH
ndh records 12076
Solo 7fach - in Distanz
Mitschnitt der UA / Recorded live at the première: 12.9.1996
Ensemble UnitedBerlin
Edition Kryptonale
Stille Wasser
Simultaneous version for E-Guitar, E-Bass and tape
Duo Conradi/Gehlen – unspoken
Bella Musica BM-CD 31.9271 (2006)
The Death of Orpheus for soli and mixed choir
Recorded live at the première 2010
Dokumentationsmitschnitt Bayer Kultur 2011
Three Marches for C. I.
American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Robert Austin Boudreau
AWSO 0115
PertHil - The Electronic Beat Variations On unseen blue (I) Vocals Performed by Ensemble Amarcord
p-c ndhrecords
LC 12088
Zerbrochene Nähe
Uraufführungsmitschnitt / Recorded live at the première
Elbland-Philharmonie, Yaron Windmüller, Bariton, Peter Fanger (Dir./cond.)
Reihe / series: Musik in Deutschland 1950-2000
Deutscher Musikrat, BMG
RCA RED SEAL 74321 73621 2