Thüring Bräm
Encyclopedia
Thüring Bräm is a Swiss composer
and conductor
.
Bräm graduated from a high school in Basel. He then studied piano
, conducting
and composition
in Basel and musicology
at the University of Basel
and the University of Heidelberg. He worked as a conductor and répétiteur
at the Curtis Institute of Music
, the Aspen Music Festival and School
and holds a Master of Arts
in Composition from the University of California, Berkeley
.
From 1973 to 1987 he was a member of the board of the City of Basel Music Academy
and from 1987 to 1999 director of the Conservatory of Lucerne. From 1999 to 2001 he was founding rector of the Lucerne College of Music
. From 2000 to 2006 he was a board member of the Association Européenne des Conservatoire. He is a member of the research council of the Swiss National Science Foundation
.
From 1984 to 1990 he was president of the Jeunesses Musicales de Suisse.
Bräm was from 1987 to 2006 chief conductor of the Junge Philharmonie Zentralschweiz. He is head of the Regio choir Binningen/Basel, and a regular guest conductor of the Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice. He gave master classes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Argentina.
He is a jury member of the Concours de Musique du Festival de Fribourg and the Sacred Johannes Brahms Chamber Music Competition of the Music Academy in Gdansk.
Bräm was influenced by composers such as Anton Webern
, Pierre Boulez
and John Cage
.
He composed more than 100 works. Among his most famous compositions include the Angelus Silesius cantata, the Requiem for CS and Litteri un Schattä - Luci e ombre. As a guest composer, he worked variously at the Hokuto International Music Festival and with the Swiss Groupe Lacroix and the German Ensemble Sortisatio
on a CD called “8 Pieces on Paul Klee” in honor to the painter Paul Klee
.
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...
and 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...
.
Bräm graduated from a high school in Basel. He then studied piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, conducting
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 composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
in Basel and musicology
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
at the University of Basel
University of Basel
The University of Basel is located in Basel, Switzerland, and is considered to be one of leading universities in the country...
and the University of Heidelberg. He worked as a conductor and répétiteur
Répétiteur
Répétiteur , repetitore , or Korrepetitor / Repetitor , originally from the French verb répéter meaning "to repeat, to go over, to learn, to rehearse"....
at the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
, the Aspen Music Festival and School
Aspen Music Festival and School
The Aspen Music Festival and School, founded in 1949, is an internationally renowned classical music festival that presents music in an intimate, small-town setting...
and holds a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Composition from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
.
From 1973 to 1987 he was a member of the board of the City of Basel Music Academy
City of Basel Music Academy
The City of Basel Music Academy is an institution for music education, located in Basel, Switzerland. It comprises a music school, college of music, and a center for early music research and performance...
and from 1987 to 1999 director of the Conservatory of Lucerne. From 1999 to 2001 he was founding rector of the Lucerne College of Music
Musikhochschule Luzern
The Lucerne School of Music is a professional school for musicians located in Lucerne, Switzerland, and closely associated with the city's annual music festival.-History:...
. From 2000 to 2006 he was a board member of the Association Européenne des Conservatoire. He is a member of the research council of the Swiss National Science Foundation
Swiss National Science Foundation
The Swiss National Science Foundation is a science research support organization mandated by the Swiss Federal Government. The SNSF was established in 1952 as a foundation under private law. Its secretariat is based in Bern....
.
From 1984 to 1990 he was president of the Jeunesses Musicales de Suisse.
Bräm was from 1987 to 2006 chief conductor of the Junge Philharmonie Zentralschweiz. He is head of the Regio choir Binningen/Basel, and a regular guest conductor of the Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice. He gave master classes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Argentina.
He is a jury member of the Concours de Musique du Festival de Fribourg and the Sacred Johannes Brahms Chamber Music Competition of the Music Academy in Gdansk.
Bräm was influenced by composers such as Anton Webern
Anton Webern
Anton Webern was an Austrian composer and conductor. He was a member of the Second Viennese School. As a student and significant follower of Arnold Schoenberg, he became one of the best-known exponents of the twelve-tone technique; in addition, his innovations regarding schematic organization of...
, Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez is a French composer of contemporary classical music, a pianist, and a conductor.-Early years:Boulez was born in Montbrison, Loire, France. As a child he began piano lessons and demonstrated aptitude in both music and mathematics...
and John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
.
He composed more than 100 works. Among his most famous compositions include the Angelus Silesius cantata, the Requiem for CS and Litteri un Schattä - Luci e ombre. As a guest composer, he worked variously at the Hokuto International Music Festival and with the Swiss Groupe Lacroix and the German Ensemble Sortisatio
Ensemble Sortisatio
Ensemble Sortisatio is a quartet founded by violist Matthias Sannemüller in 1992 in Leipzig, Germany. Its members are mostly soloists at the MDR Symphony Orchestra. They have specialized in contemporary classical music.- Formation :The Ensemble Sortisatio was founded in 1992 by Matthias...
on a CD called “8 Pieces on Paul Klee” in honor to the painter Paul Klee
Paul Klee
Paul Klee was born in Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland, and is considered both a German and a Swiss painter. His highly individual style was influenced by movements in art that included expressionism, cubism, and surrealism. He was, as well, a student of orientalism...
.