Matthias Keller (musician)
Encyclopedia
Matthias Keller is a German composer
, music critic, organist
, conductor
, and radio producer
. For many years he has been a juror for the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
. He has been commissioned to compose or arrange works for the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
, the Capella Istropolitana
, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, the Munich Symphony Orchestra
, the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie
, and the Polish Chamber Philharmonic among others. He notably composed the music for the closing ceremonies of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
which was performed simultaneously by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Bavarian State Orchestra
and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra with conductors Christian Thielemann
, Zubin Mehta
, and Mariss Jansons
, and solosits Diana Damrau
, Placido Domingo
and Lang Lang
.
Keller received his musical education at the Osnabrück Conservatory and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München
where his chief areas of interest were the organ, music education, and church music. In 1974 he released his first solo album as an organist. He has also made several recordings with flutist Ulrich Herkenhoff on the Thorofon, Koch/Universal, and Oehms Classics labels. He has worked actively as a church organist/choirmaster throughout his career.
As a writer, Keller has written musical criticism for Fono Forum, Klassik Heute, Opernwelt
, "DU", and Sueddeutsche Zeitung among other publications. Since 2004 he has served as the editor/producer of Bayern 4 Klassik. He is the author of the music encyclopedia Komponisten der Gegenwart and several books related to film score
composition and film score composers. He has worked extensively as a writer and producer for various radio stations in Germany, including the Bayerischer Rundfunk
and the Hessischer Rundfunk
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, music critic, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, and radio producer
Radio producer
A radio producer oversees the making of a radio show. There are two main types of producer. An audio or creative producer and a content producer. Audio producers create sounds and audio specifically, content producers oversee and orchestrate a radio show or feature...
. For many years he has been a juror for the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik
The Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik is an annual prize presented for achievement in recorded music.It was inaugurated in Germany in 1963 by publisher Richard Kaselowsky with the aim of recognizing the "most rigorous standards for supreme achievement" in the field of recording.The awards...
. He has been commissioned to compose or arrange works for the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (East Berlin)
The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. In Berlin, the orchestra gives concerts at theKonzerthaus Berlin and at the Berliner Philharmonie...
, the Capella Istropolitana
Capella Istropolitana
The Cappella Istropolitana, sometimes spelt Capella Istropolitana, is a Slovakian chamber orchestra based in Bratislava, Slovakia.The orchestra was formed in 1983, and in 1991 the Bratislava City council appointed the orchestra as the Chamber Orchestra of the City of Bratislava.- External links :**...
, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, the Munich Symphony Orchestra
Munich Symphony Orchestra
The Munich Symphony Orchestra is a German orchestra based in Munich. Kurt Graunke founded the orchestra as the Graunke Symphony Orchestra in 1945. The orchestra acquired its current name in 1990...
, the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie
Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie
The Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie is a German symphony orchestra based in Herford. It was founded in 1950 and, along with Philharmonie Südwestfalen and Landesjugendorchester NRW, is one of the 'official' orchestras of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia...
, and the Polish Chamber Philharmonic among others. He notably composed the music for the closing ceremonies of the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
which was performed simultaneously by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
The Münchner Philharmoniker is a German symphony orchestra located in the city of Munich. It is one of Munich's three principal orchestras, along with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian State Orchestra...
, the Bavarian State Orchestra
Bavarian State Orchestra
The Bayerisches Staatsorchester is the orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera.- History :Founded in the times of Ludwig Senfl the orchestra, specializing in musica sacra, belonged to the finest ones in Europe already under Orlando di Lasso . In 1651 the Italian opera was introduced in Munich...
and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra with conductors Christian Thielemann
Christian Thielemann
-Career:Thielemann studied viola and piano at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin and took private lessons in composition and conducting before becoming répétiteur aged 19 at the Deutsche Oper Berlin with Heinrich Hollreiser and working as Herbert von Karajan's assistant...
, Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
, and Mariss Jansons
Mariss Jansons
Mariss Ivars Georgs Jansons is a Latvian conductor, the son of conductor Arvīds Jansons. His mother, the singer Iraida Jansons, who was Jewish, gave birth to him in hiding in Riga, Latvia, after her father and brother were killed in the Riga Ghetto...
, and solosits Diana Damrau
Diana Damrau
Diana Damrau is a German lyric coloratura soprano of the operatic stage.-Biography:Diana Damrau was born in 1971 in Günzburg, Bavaria, Germany, and began her operatic studies with Carmen Hanganu at the Musikhochschule in Würzburg. After graduating from music conservatory she worked in Salzburg...
, Placido Domingo
Plácido Domingo
Plácido Domingo KBE , born José Plácido Domingo Embil, is a Spanish tenor and conductor known for his versatile and strong voice, possessing a ringing and dramatic tone throughout its range...
and Lang Lang
Lang Lang
Lang Lang may refer to:* Lang Lang , Chinese pianist* Lang Lang, Victoria, a town in Australia* Lang Lang River, a river in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia* A character from the Japanese manga Steam Detectives-See also:...
.
Keller received his musical education at the Osnabrück Conservatory and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München
Hochschule für Musik und Theater München
The Hochschule für Musik und Theater München is one of the most respected traditional vocational universities in Germany specialising in music and the performing arts. The seat of the Hochschule is the former Führerbau of the NSDAP, located at Arcisstraße 12, on the eastern side of the Königsplatz...
where his chief areas of interest were the organ, music education, and church music. In 1974 he released his first solo album as an organist. He has also made several recordings with flutist Ulrich Herkenhoff on the Thorofon, Koch/Universal, and Oehms Classics labels. He has worked actively as a church organist/choirmaster throughout his career.
As a writer, Keller has written musical criticism for Fono Forum, Klassik Heute, Opernwelt
Opernwelt
Opernwelt is a monthly German magazine for opera, operetta and ballet.The magazine covers news about current performances; it presents portraits of composers and performers, articles about opera houses and performance spaces, and about contemporary and historical subjects from the world of opera...
, "DU", and Sueddeutsche Zeitung among other publications. Since 2004 he has served as the editor/producer of Bayern 4 Klassik. He is the author of the music encyclopedia Komponisten der Gegenwart and several books related to film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
composition and film score composers. He has worked extensively as a writer and producer for various radio stations in Germany, including 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 :...
and the Hessischer Rundfunk
Hessischer Rundfunk
Hessischer Rundfunk is the public broadcaster for the German state of Hesse. The main offices of HR are in Frankfurt am Main. HR is a member of the ARD.- Studios :...
.