Gerhard Präsent
Encyclopedia
Gerhard Präsent is an Austrian composer, conductor and academic.
and conducting with Milan Horvat
. He graduated in 1982 in composition and in 1985 in conducting, in both subjects with distinction. He then taught at the institute. Until 1999 he held a composers' workshop, responsible for 48 concert programs. From 1986 to 1992 he was an assistant to Erőd, and also to Horvat for the orchestra. In 1992 he was appointed professor for music theory
, musical form
, analysis, conducting, and chamber music for strings.
in 1988 Präsent founded the ALEA Ensemble
, an ensemble for contemporary music, and has been its artistic director. He was vice president of the „Steirischer Tonkünstlerbund“ (Styrian Tone Arts Association) from 2003 and has been its president since 2005.
He is married to the violinist Sigrid Präsent, the first violinist of the ALEA Ensemble.
Instrumental
Trio intricato for piano trio (1983–1985) was performed and recorded in Munich by the Bayerischer Rundfunk
on 2 May 2011. Himmelslicht (Heavenly Light), a concerto for trumpet, brass and percussion (1986–1987), was premiered at the festival steirischer herbst in 1987. Marcia funebre for chamber ensemble (1992) was first performed at the World Music Days 2002 of the International Society for Contemporary Music
in Hong Kong. In 1996 Präsent honoured his teacher, composing Erödiana (Capriccio Erödico) for bassoon (or cello) and piano. The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Society of the friends of music in Vienna) commissioned Chaconne for 14 instruments (1996) and performed it in the Wiener Musikverein in 1997. Partita sagrada op. 60 for chamber orchestra (2009) on a commission of the ensemble Kontrapunkte was premiered at the Musikverein on 6 December 2010, played by the ensemble conducted by Peter Keuschnig.
Vocal
Präsent wrote Lieder aus der Hütte (Songs from the cottage) for soprano, flute, oboe, viola and cello in 1979 on five texts of Martin Krusche. He composed Missa minima for four parts a cappella in 2001. Commissioned by the Steirischer Sängerbund (Styrian Choir Association), he wrote a Pater noster “ for four parts a cappella
, first performed in 2007 at Styria Cantat I, and Psalm LXI for "Styria Cantat IV" in 2010.
Professional career
Gerhard Präsent studied from 1976 at the Musikhochschule Graz, composition with Iván ErődIván Eröd
Iván Erőd, also Iván Eröd , is an Hungarian-Austrian composer and pianist.- Career :Erőd studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music with Pál Kadosa and Ferenc Szabó . He emigrated to Austria in 1956 and studied there at the Vienna Music Academy, with Richard Hauser and Karl Schiske...
and conducting with Milan Horvat
Milan Horvat
Milan Horvat is a Croatian conductor. From 1969 until 1975, he was head of the newly created Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra...
. He graduated in 1982 in composition and in 1985 in conducting, in both subjects with distinction. He then taught at the institute. Until 1999 he held a composers' workshop, responsible for 48 concert programs. From 1986 to 1992 he was an assistant to Erőd, and also to Horvat for the orchestra. In 1992 he was appointed professor for music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
, musical form
Musical form
The term musical form refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music, and it describes the layout of a composition as divided into sections...
, analysis, conducting, and chamber music for strings.
in 1988 Präsent founded the ALEA Ensemble
ALEA Ensemble
The ALEA Ensemble is a chamber music ensemble founded in Graz for contemporary music, playing in variable formation including the ALEA Quartet.-History:...
, an ensemble for contemporary music, and has been its artistic director. He was vice president of the „Steirischer Tonkünstlerbund“ (Styrian Tone Arts Association) from 2003 and has been its president since 2005.
He is married to the violinist Sigrid Präsent, the first violinist of the ALEA Ensemble.
Works
Präsent has composed mostly instrumental music, both chamber music and for orchestra, as well as songs and sacred choral music.Instrumental
Trio intricato for piano trio (1983–1985) was performed and recorded in Munich by the Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk
Bayerischer Rundfunk [Bavarian Broadcasting] is the public broadcasting authority for the German Freistaat of Bavaria, with its main offices located in Munich. BR is a member of ARD.- Legal foundation :...
on 2 May 2011. Himmelslicht (Heavenly Light), a concerto for trumpet, brass and percussion (1986–1987), was premiered at the festival steirischer herbst in 1987. Marcia funebre for chamber ensemble (1992) was first performed at the World Music Days 2002 of the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
in Hong Kong. In 1996 Präsent honoured his teacher, composing Erödiana (Capriccio Erödico) for bassoon (or cello) and piano. The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Society of the friends of music in Vienna) commissioned Chaconne for 14 instruments (1996) and performed it in the Wiener Musikverein in 1997. Partita sagrada op. 60 for chamber orchestra (2009) on a commission of the ensemble Kontrapunkte was premiered at the Musikverein on 6 December 2010, played by the ensemble conducted by Peter Keuschnig.
Vocal
Präsent wrote Lieder aus der Hütte (Songs from the cottage) for soprano, flute, oboe, viola and cello in 1979 on five texts of Martin Krusche. He composed Missa minima for four parts a cappella in 2001. Commissioned by the Steirischer Sängerbund (Styrian Choir Association), he wrote a Pater noster “ for four parts a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
, first performed in 2007 at Styria Cantat I, and Psalm LXI for "Styria Cantat IV" in 2010.
Selected awards
- 1981: Förderungspreis (encouragement award) for music of Graz
- 1983: state scholarship for composition
- 1984: First prize of the Creditanstalt Wien, for Quintett
- 1997: Theodor-Körner-Preis for the Sonata del Gesù
- 2010: Finalist of the "International Music Prize for Excellence in Composition" of National Academy of Music of the State of Colorado
- 2011: Honorary Associate of the National Academy of Music (Colorado)
External links
- Gerhard Präsent website
- Gerhard Präsent music information centre Austria