John Berauer is without doubt one of the most productive as diverse young composers and performers of the country. Born in Wels, Upper Austria, the young composer feels both at home in the field of contemporary music as in jazz, which numerous collaborations prove. Reason enough for us to take a closer look at his work with the mica-series “Austria’s young composers”.
Fast Facts
Johannes Berauer (born 1979) studied composition and jazz piano at the New England Conservatory and Berklee College in Boston, and at the Anton Bruckner University Linz. His teachers were inter alia Bob Brookmeyer, Lee Hyla, Christoph Cech and Gunter Waldek. Stylistically, he successfully moves in the border area between contemporary classical and jazz music, while his work is characterized by innovation and technical security in both areas. He composed for the likes of Benjamin Schmid, Friedrich Kleinhapl or the Eggner Trio and composed the music for the Linz Klangwolke. His compositions are performed internationally. Over the years he has received numerous prizes and scholarships (e.g. Gustav Mahler Prize, Fulbright Scholarship).
Johannes Berauer – Piano Trio Nr. 1, 2. Satz by mica
Portrait
Johannes Berauer is equally settled in the genres of contemporary music and jazz. What distinguishes him here is a skill that is expressive and accessible. The thematic work in polyphonic structures and the modern funeral march in his Piano Trio No. 1 show – as in other works – his technical ability and differential expression. Berauer also demands a lot from his performers, yet not for the sake of the virtuosic effect, but rather for a better sound. His melodic jazz, which he writes for larger ensembles or his own eponymous trio, is preferably melancholic. Berauer also takes an emotional path in his Carpe Noctem (seize the night) for mixed choir and jazz orchestra. The choir spread in the entire church sings about the natural cycle of life and animates with lyrics by Ilse Aichinger, Rainer Maria Rilke and others to reflect. Just as varied as his work, so are his commissioners and performers. They range from Benjamin Schmid and Kirill Kobantschenko to the Eggner Trio, Willi Resetarits, Paul Gulda and various jazz ensembles. From his extensive creative source, Berauer was also able to create the music for the Linz Klangwolke 2008.
Important Compositions
Piano Trio No. 1
for Violin, Cello and Piano
Premiere: Musikverein Vienna, 16.02.2011
Three Movements for Strings
for string orchestra
Premiere: Jordan Hall Boston, 11.4.2007
won the NEC Chamber Orchestra Competition
Photo: Jens Lindworsky