Watch and listen to the Anniversary Concert - 10 Years of the HfMT Chamber Choir

Watch and listen to the "Anniversary Concert - 10 Years of the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg Chamber Choir", directed by Cornelius Trantow. The program includes works by Lasso, Schütz, Brahms, Bruckner, Mäntyjärvi as well as my pieces "Deus in adjutorium" and "Pulchra es".

ORBIT & ORACLE: A reimagining of ancient astronomical legends

The Esoterics directed by Eric Banks perform a concert program featuring (almost) all of my astronomical/mythological choral compositions, including a newly commissioned piece titled STRANGE SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES. This new work comprises choral miniatures for dwarf planets, (shepherd) moons, a comet, an astroid, and a singular interstellar visitor to our solar system, that are distinguished by very special and outlandish characteristics. Concerts take place on Saturday, 8 March 2025, 8:00pm, Plymouth United Church of Christ (1217 6th Avenue), Seattle and on Sunday, 9 March 2025, 7:00pm in Christ Episcopal Church (310 North K Street), Tacoma. All times are Pacific Standard time. Watch and and listen to the concert here,

"DOMINUS" to be premiered by Kammerchor Collegium Musicum Berlin

Kammerchor Collegium Musicum Berlin, conducted by Donka Miteva, premieres my "DOMINU" (from "Mars") on January 31, 2025, at St.-Matthäus-Kirche in Berlin as part of their program "Klangwelten".

"DOMINUS" at Cork International Choral Festival

"DOMINUS" (from Mars) will be part of the program presented by the Chamber Choir of the Collegium Musicum Berlin, conducted by Donka Miteva, at the Cork International Choral Festival, which will be held from April 30 to May 4, 2025. The choir will compete in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Deus in Adjutorium

The Bundesjugendchor conducted by Anne Kohler present a concert program titled "Jede Stimme zählt! - Chormusik für viele Stimmen" (Every Voice Counts! - Choral Music for Many Voices), and the program includes my "Deus in adjutorium". Concert are in Heilbronn (13 March 2025), Tübingen (14 March 2025), Stuttgart (15 March 2025) und Karlsruhe (16 March 2025). More info here. Here is a (translated) excerpt from the concert announcement: Michael Ostrzyga's "Deus in Adjutorium" offers you another glimpse into contemporary sacred music. Known for his innovative approach, the composer bridges the gap between traditional church music and modern expression. Experience how the choir masterfully navigates the intricate harmonies and rhythmic structures of this demanding piece.

DEEP SPACES

Kammerchor Canzoneo directed by Nils Jensen premieres DEEP SPACES as part of PROJEKT-ION in Hubertusbad Berlin-Lichtenberg. DEEP SPACES is a roughly 1 hour a cappella work commissioned by Canzonetta e.V. and comprising of three parts: FATHOM, WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, and BEYOND. The performance is amplified (with sound engineer Martin Offik) and there are huge live visuals projected on the ceiling and the walls of the Hubertusbad, a former (historic) public bath (projections by Robert Metzner). Performances are on 9 Nov 2024, 19:00, and on 10 Nov 2024, 16:00 and 19:00.

Requiem completion in Berlin

Junges Ensemble Berlin and Concerto Brandenburg will perform my completion of Mozart's Requiem fragment, conducted by Vinzenz Weissenburger, at Philharmonie Berlin on November 23th 2024, 8 p.m.

FLIGHT in Celebration Concert

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow performs FLIGHT in another concert celebrating their 30th anniversary on Sunday, 21 April, in Sinstorfer Kirche (Sinstorfer Kirchweg 21, Hamburg)

EVENT HORIZON / VENUS at VDKC-ChorKonzertTage

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow performs EVENT HORIZON and VENUS at VDKC-ChorKonzertTage in Bergedorf on 16 June 2024.

Premiere of DEEP SEA

Junges Consortium Berlin conducted by Vinzenz Weissenburger premieres "DEEP SEA" for chorus, strings, and playback, on 15 June 2024, 19:00, in Apostel-Paulus-Kirche, Akazienstraße Berlin as part of their "Middle Passage" program.

FLIGHT in Nordklang-Festival

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow performs FLIGHT in the Nordklang Festival (2. Hamburger Kammerchor-Festival), taking place from 29 May to 2 June 2024.

Requiem completion at Mozartfest Würzburg

My completion of Mozart's Requiem will be performed at Mozartfest Würzburg on Saturday, 15 June 2024, 19:00, Kiliansdom, Würzburg.

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 2nd March, 18:00

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 2nd March, 20:30

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 3rd March

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.

Requiem completion in Brugg, Aarau, Zürich, and Zofingen (Switzerland)

Aargauer Kantorei, Collegium Vocale Grossmünster, and La Chapelle Ancienne directed by Daniel Schmid perform my edition of Mozart's Requiem in the Passionskonzerte 2024: 27 March in Stadtkirche Brugg, 28 March in Stadtkirche Aarau, 29 March in Großmünster Zürich, and 30 March in Stadtkirche Zofingen. Soloists are Anna Gschwend, Flavio Ferri-Benedetti, Michael Feyfar, and Richard Helm.

"Viaje, vida" (2nd Movement of a cappella cycle "Mariposa")

The concert project by Chamber Choir Consono directed by Harald Jers, which was planned for October 28, and in which my "Viaje, Vida" would have been premiered, was unfortunately cancelled.

"FLIGHT"

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow will premiere "FLIGHT" for chorus a cappella in a concert celebrating their thirtieth anniversary on February 3, 2024 in Hamburg. "Flight" is dedicated to Ensemble vocal and Cornelius Trantow.

"EVENT HORIZON"

"Event Horizon" will be performed on February 3, 2024, in Hamburg by Ensemble vocal as part of their 30th anniversary concert which will also feature the premiere of "FLIGHT".

Requiem completion at Festival de Saintes (France)

My completion of Mozart's Requiem will be performed by soloists from the Opéra national de Paris Academy, jeune chœur de paris and Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye directed by Léo Warinsky at Festival de Saintes in April 2024.

Requiem completion at Festival de Chambord (France)

My completion of Mozart's Requiem will be performed by soloists from the Opéra national de Paris Academy, jeune chœur de paris and Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye directed by Léo Warinsky at Festival de Chambord in July 2024.

IUPPITER at Internationaler Kammerchor-Wettbewerb Marktoberdorf

IUPPITER will be performed by Chandelier Choir from Indonesia at acclaimed Internationaler Kammerchor-Wettbewerb Marktoberdorf 2023.

Wind Resonances at 20. Deutsches Chorfestival Lübeck 2023 and St. Katharinen in Hamburg

From June 23th to 25th 2023 the 20. Deutsches Chorfestival Lübeck 2023, organized by Verband Deutscher Konzertchöre, brings together choirs, conductors, singers and choir-enthusiasts from all over the country. Europäischer Kammerchor directed by Michael Reif will perform my "Wind Resonances" in the festival's "Lange Nacht der Chormusik" on Saturday, June 24th 2023, in the church St. Jacobi, three times (at 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30). Afterwards the group travels to Hamburg to perform it in St. Katharinen.

"Event Horizon" to be premiered

"Event Horizon", commissioned by World Symposium on Choral Music 2023 in Istanbul, will be premiered on April 27th 2023 in a gala concert by Sofia Vokalensemble (Stockholm) directed by Bengt Ollén. The new piece is based on an original text written by Welsh author Euan Tait in collaboration with me especially for the new composition.

"ALLEIN" for Vocal Sextet

StimmGold Vokalensemble premieres "ALLEIN" (based on a song by Max Reger) as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel" on March 12 2023, 19:00, in Frieden Christi (Helene-Mayer-Ring 23) München and performs it several times in Southern Germany (concert calendar of Stimmgold)

Piano works

On May 24th, 2023, in the Aula of the University of Cologne, Christoph Schnackertz will perform a piano recital. The program will feature several of my compositions for piano solo, along with music by J.S. Bach, including transcriptions by Busoni and Liszt.

URANUS

"Uranus" for chorus a cappella, commissioned by hamburgVOKAL directed by Matthias Mensching will finally be premiered on June 25th 2023 (and performed again on July 1st 2023) in Hamburg in a concert titled "ferne welten" (faraway worlds). The programm also includes my a cappella piece "Farout".

"Lichtungen" to be premiered

"Lichtungen" for chorus and orchestra, commissioned by Alte Oper Frankfurt will be premiered on April 29th 2023, 19:00, in Alte Oper Frankfurt.

Mozart Requiem

The Zürcher Sing-Akademie and Freiburger Barockorchester, directed by Florian Helgath, will perform my completion of Mozart's Requiem. The performances are scheduled for September 10th at Tonhalle Zürich and September 11th at Klosterkirche Rheinau. The soloists for these performances are Jenny Högström, Ursina Patzen, Tamas Henter, and Yves Brühwiler. I will be involved in a pre-concert talk giving insights in the history of the piece and my completion in particular.

Organ Works

In Gothenburg, Sweden, my three organ works, titled YVTLH-XAY [DAYLIGHT], K'EE [SPIRITS], and CH'EE-TAA-GHEE-DVN [THE FOREST], will be performed in the Cathedral Organ Jubilee Festival: 60 Years Magnusson Organ. Martin Herchenröder will be performing. These pieces, titled in Tolowa words, reflect the nature of coastal Northern California, where the last Redwood trees have survived. Prior to this, Martin Herchenröder will also perform the pieces in Siegen and Cologne.

Nordsee-Tagebuch I for Piano Solo

A Piano Recital as part of the Klavierfestival Lindlar (https://www.klavierfestival-lindlar.de/) combines many of my compositions for piano solo combined with music by J. S. Bach (partly in transcriptions for Piano, by Busoni and Liszt). My four-part cycle "Nordsee-Tagebuch I" will be premiered. Christoph Schnackertz performs.

For the Girl in the Cave of Horror

Junges Ensemble Berlin has commissioned a new work in two parts to be premiered on November 13th, 2022, at the Samariterkirche Berlin Friedrichshain. This premiere is part of their program Schütz350, commemorating the anniversary of Heinrich Schütz. The two parts of the new work will be inserted between the three parts of Schütz's Musikalische Exequien. It is inspired by the discovery of the 6000-year-old remnants of a girl found in the so-called Cave of Horror near the Dead Sea in 2021.

STRANGE SOLAR SYSTEM BODIES

The Esoterics directed by Eric Banks commissioned "Strange Solar System Bodies". It will be premiered on 8 March 2025 in Seattle. The work consists of twelve outlandish miniatures for dwarf planets, (shepherd) moons, a comet, an asteroid, and a singular interstellar visitor to our solar system: 1 (101955) Bennu / 2 Callisto / 3 Io / 4 Hyperion / 5 Mimas / 6 Enceladus / 7 Pan & Atlas / 8 Halley’s Comet / 9 TITAN / X 1I/ʻOumuamua / 11 Pluto & Charon / 12 Haumea

chor.com, International Congress of the Choir World

I am invited to a) lead a composition workshop and b) present my new edition of Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir published by Bärenreiter at chor.com 2024. The chor.com takes place in Hannover from the 26th to the 29th of September 2024.

President of the Jury in the 6th IFCM Choral Composition Competition (2023/2024)

I was President of the Jury in the 6th International Competition for Choral Competition organized by the International Federation of Choral Music. Esteemd fellow composers Tracy Wong (Canada/Malaysia), Eric Banks (USA), Ana Maria Raga (Venezuela), and Özkan Manav (Türkiye) and I were the jury members.

New Work

Canzonetta e.V. has commissioned a new 30 minute a cappella work to be premiered in Berlin by Kammerchor Canzoneo Berlin directed by Nils Jensen in November 2024, accompanied by projections.

Mariposa

"Mariposa" is a three-movement cycle for choir a cappella commissioned by Chamber Choir Consono directed by Harald Jers. The first movement ("A Una Mariposa Monarca", text by Homero Aridjis) was premiered in 2019. Due to the pandemic premieres of movements two and three were delayed. The second movement ("Viaje, vida", part of the texts particularly written for the piece by Julio Mendivil) will be premiered in 2023. The third movement will be premiered in a performance of the entire cycle in 2024 or 2025.

Invitation to the World Symposium on Choral Music ístanbul 2023

I am invited to the World Symposium on Choral Music ístanbul 2023 to present my choral compositions in a "meet the composer" session on April 28th 2023, 14:30-15:30.

Invitation to the ACDA 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio

I am invited to the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conference 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) to hold a panel on my completion of Mozart's Requiem.

New Work: "Event Horizon"

World Symposium on Choral Music 2023 in Istanbul commissioned a new piece to be premiered by in April 2023 by Sofia Vokalensemble (Stockholm) directed by Bengt Ollén. The new piece will be titled "Event Horizon" and is based on an original text written by Welsh author Euan Tait in collaboration with me especially for the new composition.

"Allein" / "Gott des Himmels"

StimmGold Vokalensemble commissioned "Allein" (inspired by a song by Max Reger) and an arrangement of organ chorale "Gott des Himmels und der Erden" by Max Reger, both pieces for Vocal Sextet, to be premiered and recorded on CD in 2023 as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel".

Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016

For a forthcoming CD of Kölner Vokalsolisten I am writing a new piece about my memory of a special day hiking to and through Tall Trees Grove in Northern California. Recordings take place in autumn 2022.

Uranus

hamburgVOKAL commissioned Uranus for choir a cappella. The premiere had to be postponed due to the pandemic and is now scheduled for June 24th 2023 in Hamburg.

New Work: "Lichtungen"

Alte Oper Frankfurt commissioned a new piece for chorus and orchestra to be premiered on April 29th 2023.

Mars & Venus

via-nova-chor München commissioned Mars and Venus for choir a cappella to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The concert had to be delayed due to the pandemic and now is scheduled for July 2nd 2023.

Martin's Mass for double choir

I am the editor of the new scholarly critical edition of Frank Martin's Mass for double choir. It is set to be released by Bärenreiter this September.

Flight and Event Horizon to be published by Bärenreiter

My new choral pieces "Flight" and "Event Horizons" will be published by Bärenreiter in 2024.

"Fact & Fiction–Mozart's Requiem" now out as an eBook

My study on Mozart's Requiem is available now as an ebook. Purchase it here.

TALL TREES GROVE, March 1st 2016

"Elements", a new program by Kölner Vokalsolisten is available now on CD and on streaming services, released by Genuin Records. I wrote "Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016" for vocal sextet specifically for this program.

New recording of my edition of Mozart's Requiem

A new recording of my completion of Mozart's Requiem is out. Since my edition offers choices: Conductor John Nelson opted for a performance variant without the Amen fugue and the alternate for the pair of movements Sanctus/Benedictus starting in D major and each movement closing with Hosanna in D major. Marie Lys (Soprano), Beth Tyler (Alto), Cyrille Dubois (Tenor), Hanno Müller-Brachmann (Bass), Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, John Nelson (conductor), ICA Classics.

"Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016" to be released on CD

Kölner Vokalsolisten recorded a concert program titled "Elements". I wrote "Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016" for vocal sextet specifically for this program. Genuin Records will release the program on CD and streaming services in 2024.

CD recording: Works for Piano

Spektral Records will be releasing a full program with piano works of mine on CD and streaming services in 2024. Christoph Schnackertz performs, recording sessions took place in September and October 2023. Stephan Hahn is recording engineer.

"ALLEIN" for Vocal Sextet released

"Allein" (based on a song by Max Reger) is out now on streaming services, performed by Vocal Sextet StimmGold Vokalensemble as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel", released by Spektral Records. CD is due March 15th 2023.

Sheet music: New choral works

Helbling publishes "Thine eyes", "And a Star over all (Two John Masefield Songs)", "CGV", and "Pulchra es" in the upcoming months.

CD Recording

Kölner Vokalsolisten recorded "Tall Trees Grove, March 1st" for vocal sextet for a CD release in 2023.

CD Recording

In late 2024, Rondeau Production releases a CD with my choral music, performed by Ensemble vocal and Kammerchor der Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg conducted by Cornelius Trantow.

Sheet music: Edition of Mozart's Requiem

My completion of Mozart's unfinished Requiem fragment is available at Bärenreiter publishing house (Score, Urtext edition / Introductory Text/Analytical Study / Vocal score, Urtext edition)

Edition of Mozart's Requiem Fragment, newly completed

Bärenreiter released my completion of Mozart's unfinished Requiem fragment.


Bärenreiter

Sheet music: New choral works

Helbling publishing house releases new compositions ("By the numbers", "Crossing the Bar", "Farout"), which were commissioned by the chor.com 2021.
Helbling publishing hous

EXCELSIS

Helbling published my "Excelsis", a six-movement cycle for chorus and organ: I. Prelude (Organ Solo), II Nigra sum (SSAATTBB a cappella), III Song of the Eclipse (SATB und Orgel), IV Ave maris stella (SATB-SATB a cappella), V Air (Organ Solo), VI Alleluia. It was commissioned by Collegium Vocale Hannover.

Franck's d Minor Symphony

I am looking forward to conduct, for the first time, Cesar Franck's Symphony on Januar 29th 2024,in University of Cologne.

Bach's Christmas Oratorio

On December 10th, 1800, I will conduct Bach's Christmas Oratorio (cantates I, II, III). It is a special performance: The audience will join in for the chorales and sing along after a pre-concert rehearsal. Soloists are Johanna Heinen, Sophia Herber, Leonard Reso, and Thomas Bonni. Kammerchor and Kammerorchester of University of Cologne perform.

Brahms: "Ein Deutsches Requiem"

I will conduct Brahms' "Ein Deutsches Requiem" on June 17th at Tivoli Vredenbrurg.

Bach's Johannespassion (1725 Version)

On April 1st (19:00) and 2nd (16:00) 2023 I conduct Bach's Johannespassion, Version II from 1725, in Trinitatiskirche Koeln. Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra at University of Cologne, Elisabeth Menke (Soprano), Bettina Schaefer (Alto), Frederik Schauhoff (Baritone), Stefan Sbonnik (Tenore, Evangelist), Thomas Bonni (Bass, Jesus).

Brahms' Symphony No. 1

Brahms' Symphony No. 1 in c Minor, Sibelius' Karelia Suite and Britten's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten are on the program I look forward to very much. Concert is set for Januar 26th 2023.

Projects I was involved in as the Music Director of the University of Cologne, including concerts I conducted, are archived in the event archive of the Collegium musicum of University of Cologne. Above, you'll find a selection of notable concerts from recent years, starting with 2022. Works I conducted before that which hold a special place in my memory include, to name a few, Bach's Matthäuspassion, Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem, Dvorak's Stabat Mater, Feldman's Rothko Chapel, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Die Schöpfung and Missa in Angustiis, Ligeti's Lux aeterna and Nonsense Madrigals, Mahler's Symphony No. 2 ("Ressurection"), Mozart's Requiem, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Sibelius's Symphony No. 1, and Verdi's Messa da Requiem.

Mahler's Symphony #2 ('Ressurection')

I will serve as chorus master preparing the Bürgerchor for performances of Mahler's 2nd Symphony with the Gürzenich Orchester Köln directed by Francois-Xavier Roth in early September.

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2024

I will be chorus master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2024, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Alte Oper Frankfurt, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, and Kuppelsaal Hannover

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms

Join us on August 27th 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for the season opener of the Gürzenich Orchester directed by Francois-Xavier Roth at the Cologne Philharmonic. As Chorus Master, I prepare the Bürgerchor for the program titled 'HINAUF,' featuring Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and Mahler's Symphony No. 4.

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2023

I serve as Chorus Master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2022, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Kuppelsaal Hannover

Bürgerchor

This summer I have the pleasure to be part of a new project launched by the Gürzenich Orchestra. I will assemble and prepare a choir with singers from the Cologne area to perform Beethoven's 9th with the Gürzenich Orchestra, directed by Francois-Xavier Roth, as season opener in August 2022.

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2022

I am Chorus Master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2022, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Philharmonie Essen

Marcus Schmickler, Schreber Songs

I will prepare Kölner Vokalsolisten for the premiere of Marcus Schmickler's "Schreber Songs" (Kammermusik mit szenischen Elementen und Live-Elektronik, Kompositionsauftrag von ACHT BRÜCKEN | Musik für Köln, gefördert durch die Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung). Concert will take place on April 30, 2022 in WDR Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal

Lichtstücke

This year, via-nova-chor München, conducted by Kerstin Behnke, will realize their new project, Lichtstücke (light pieces). For this project, video artists will create videos based on and inspired by two new choral works: 'Seewetter' by my esteemed colleague Oliver Korte and 'Venus,' composed by myself. The videos will be presented in September 2024.

Netzwerk Universitätmusik in Deutschland

In February 2024, I was elected as the President of the "Netzwerk Universitätsmusik in Deutschland" (Network for Music at Universities in Germany), an association newly founded by music directors serving at German Universities, including myself.