Pierre-Dominique Ponnelle studied conducting with renowned figures such as Otmar Suitner and Herbert von Karajan.
Compositional Technique
In his String Trio, Ponnelle musically represents disorientation by having the instruments' parts cross, with the cello sometimes playing higher than the viola, and the viola higher than the violin.
Composition History
The Second String Quartet was inspired by Sufi melodies from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which Ponnelle encountered during his concert tours through Central Asia.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ponnelle's First String Quartet uses the notes B-A-C-H as a theme and combines it with Bashkir folk music, aiming to build a cultural bridge between Germany and Bashkiria in Russia.
Composition History
Pierre-Dominique Ponnelle composed his First String Quartet in 2005 at the request of musicians from the Bashkir National Symphony Orchestra, after studying Eastern Turkish-Bashkir culture.
Composer Biography
Pierre-Dominique Ponnelle, born in Munich in 1957, is the son of actress and film director Margit Saad and opera, movie, and stage director Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.
Performer Biography
The Gémeaux Quartett was formed in 2003 in Basel and chose its name, French for 'twins', after being inspired by zodiac signs on sugar packets during a coffee break.
