KURT SCHWERTSIK

Born on June 25, 1935, in Vienna. Studied at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. From 1955, horn player with the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria. In 1958, founded the ensemble for new music “die reihe” together with Friedrich Cerha. In 1960, took courses with Karlheinz Stockhausen in Cologne, followed by courses with Mauricio Kagel and John Cage. In 1965, he founded the “Salon Concerts” with Otto M. Zykan. From 1968, he was a horn player with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, interspersed with study visits abroad. From 1979, he was head of a composition class at the Vienna Conservatory. From 1989 to 2003, he was professor of composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Member of the Austrian Arts Senate since 1992, president of the Joseph Marx Society since 2006. Schwertsik's work includes operas, orchestral works, solo concertos for violin, flute, trombone, guitar, and trumpet, as well as numerous song cycles.

Style description based on my own assessment: “I withdrew from the imposed effect of repression and conformity. With all my physical and mental strength, I resisted being crushed by society’s lethargic acquiescence. I took the liberty of taking a fresh look at all the sacred works of our culture.“ Schwertsik is one of the pioneers of new music in Austria. His accessible musical language and ironic whimsicality have made him one of Austria's most frequently performed new composers. ”I warn everyone to recognize their own limitations."

Awards (Selection)
2017 Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Province of Vienna
2015 Commander‘s Cross in Silver for Services to the Province of Lower Austria
2006 Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Province of Vienna
1997 Austrian Decoration of Honour for Science and Art
1992 Grand Austrian State Award

Works (Selection)
2014 “Mozart in Moskau”. Opera. Libretto by Ad de Bont
2010 “Nachtmusiken”, for orchestra
2009 “Kafka Amerika”. Ballet
2004 “Schlaf der Gerechten”, Operella based on a text by Kristine Tornquist
2000-2002 “Katzelmacher”. Opera based on a text by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
1997 “Die Welt der Mongolen”. Opera based on a text by Michael Köhlmeier
1996 “Sinfonia – Sinfonietta”
1995 “Der Ewige Frieden”. Operetta. Libretto by Thomas Körner
1993 “Café Museum” or “Die Erleuchtung”. Chamber opera. Libretto by Wolfgang Bauer
1982 “Das Märchen von Fanferlieschen Schönefüßchen”. Fairy-tale opera after Clemens Brentano, based on a text by Karin and Thomas Körner
1980-1992 “Irdische Klänge”. Cycle for orchestra
1974 “Der lange Weg zur großen Mauer” (The long way to the Great Wall). Opera based on a novel by Richard Bletschacher 
1968 “Draculas Haus- und Hofmusik” (a Transylvanian symphony for strings) Symphony op. 18