The Lower Austrian composer Bernd Richard Deutsch can already refer to numerous successes. Awards and performances of his works at major events prove that this is one of the most promising composers of the younger generation in Austria. Reason enough to portray this outstanding composer in the new mica series “Austria’s Young Composers”.
Old and new – what is generally regarded as the opposite is what Bernd Richard Deutsch unites in his work. In his most comprehensive composition “Martyrium oder Die Dinge sind”, he combines the use of musical means from the Renaissance to the present with an expressive language. This is based on a collage of text snippets, that draw an arc from Dante’s “Divine Comedy” to Ingeborg Bachmann, Konrad Bayer and others, and cover the destruction of an artist accompanied by manic-depressive outbursts. For its implementation, a large orchestra, chorus, singers and speakers are required, which are supported or counterpointed by the use of audio and video playbacks.
Deutsch’s work is also defined by unusual concepts: “DistanzKomposition” designates a not fixed “guest lecture” with the recorded music for bass clarinet – this has to be created by the lecturer himself, which part Walter Weidemann presented in a Thomas Bernhard shear manner at the world premiere. And also the title of “Musik zu einem imaginären Drama” [in English: music for an imaginary drama] says it all, although the composition doesn’t imply this: with the film music-like sounds you cannot help but see an associated action played out before the inner eye.
Doris Weberberger
Important Works
Martyrium oder Die Dinge sind, neurotic oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra, with video feed – commissioned by the SWR Stuttgart
(Duration 90′)
Curriculum vitae. Monumentum pro Ingeborg Bachmann for piano trio – commissioned by the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt
(Duration 17′)
Recording: Haydn Trio Eisenstadt (Capriccio 71 095)
Fixe Ideen for guitar quartet – commissioned by the SWR Stuttgart
(Duration 16′)
Recording: Kales guitar quartet
Photo: Renate Publig
http://www.berndrdeutsch.com/