The twelfth edition of the Wohlhauser Edition presents a fascinating selection of new compositions by René Wohlhauser.
The focus is on the eponymous work In mäandrierendem Rausch, a musical metaphor for the struggle from darkness into light, premiered by the Polysono Ensemble. In addition, contrasting sound worlds unfold: Dunkle Stimmen explores the tension between light and shadow, while Klaviertrios Nr.3 and Nr.4 combine rhythmic energy and structural transformation. The two Quartette für Flöte, Klarinette, Violine und Violoncello open up new horizons—from microtonal explorations to dialectical structures in which categories of perception are redefined. Finally, the Duo für Violine und Klavier Nr. 3 „Gespiegelte Klanglichkeit“, radically turns sound, time, and form upside down.
This edition brings together works that oscillate between archaic depth and fine tonal microscopy. Wohlhauser's music challenges, but at the same time opens up new spaces of listening – between intoxication and reflection, fragment and unity, intuition and compositional logic.
Programme
René Wohlhauser (*1954)
In mäandrierendem Rausch
Works for various ensemble combinations, performed by the "Ensemble Polysono" and the "Duo Elia Seiffert-René Wohlhauser"
In mäandrierendem Rausch
for soprano, baritone, flute, clarinet, violin and cello (2023)
nach einem Gedicht des Komponisten
Dunkle Stimmen Ensemble-Version
for soprano, baritone, flute, clarinet, violin and cello (2022)
nach einem Gedicht des Komponisten
Klaviertrio Nr. 3
for violin, cello and piano (2022)
Klaviertrio Nr. 4, “In inkongruenter Weise kongruent”
for violin, cello and piano (2023)
Quartett für Flöte, Klarinette, Violine und Violoncello Nr. 2, “Gen-tuplets”
2nd version: "Die dialektische Fassung" (2021)
Quartett für Flöte, Klarinette, Violine und Violoncello Nr. 3, “Gen-microtones” (2023)
Duo für Violine und Klavier Nr. 3, “Gespiegelte Klanglichkeit” (2023)
Total duration: 78:08
First recordings
Biographies
René Wohlhauser (composition, baritone, piano), born in 1954 and raised in Brienz (Switzerland), is a highly versatile musician and one of the most prolific, most important and most frequently performed composers of his generation. With a broad stylistic spectrum in various genres, he has created a very extensive body of work that now comprises over 2,300 works and is performed over 100 times a year to large audiences and broadcast by various European radio stations—in portrait programs, positive CD reviews, and concert broadcasts. Experience as a rock and jazz musician. Mainly composer of contemporary art music (including chamber music, orchestral and stage works). Studied at the Basel Academy of Music (music theory with Robert Suter and Thomas Kessler, composition with Jacques Wildberger) and took composition courses with Kazimierz Serocki, Mauricio Kagel, Herbert Brün and Heinz Holliger. Composition studies with Klaus Huber and Brian Ferneyhough. Further piano studies with Stéphane Reymond and vocal studies with David Wohnlich and Robert Koller.
Numerous performances at home and abroad, including at the Schauspielhaus Berlin, Notre-Dame de Paris, Tokyo, Rome, St. Petersburg, and at festivals in Darmstadt, Odessa, Zurich, Sofia, and Cardiff. Numerous international composition prizes, including Valentino Bucchi, Rome (1978), Salzburg Cathedral Chapter (1987), Kranichstein Scholarship Prize of the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music (1988), Eastern Switzerland Foundation for Music and Theater (1990), Lucerne Promotion Prize (1991), Society for Music Education Research, Zurich (1992), Swiss Radio International (1996), Basel-Landschaft Promotion Prize (1998). 2004 World premiere of the opera Gantenbein at the Theater Luzern. Regular tours in Europe as pianist, singer, and conductor with the Duo Simolka–Wohlhauser and the Ensemble Polysono. Over 430 videos and 560 different compositions on YouTube. Guest lecturer for composition at the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music (1988–94), at the Odessa Festival (1996–98), and at the International Composers' Workshop in Lugano (2000). In 2013, he launched the CD series Wohlhauser Edition on the NEOS label. Publications include MusikTexte (Cologne), Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Darmstädter Beiträge zur Neuen Musik, New Music and Aesthetics in the 21st Century, and his book Aphorismen zur Musik. Cultural and political engagement. Taught composition, music theory, and improvisation at the Basel Music Academy until 2019 and at the Lucerne Academy (now: Lucerne University of Music) until 1991, and continues to teach as professor of composition and music theory at the Kalaidos Music Academy.
www.renewohlhauser.com
More information
Catalogue number: NEOS 12545
EAN: 4260063125454
