Schwertsik: The Piano Works

Featuring

Aya Klebahn
Kurt Schwertsik

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Composer Biography

Kurt Schwertsik studied composition at the Vienna Academy of Music and was a student of Karlheinz Stockhausen at the Darmstadt Summer Courses and in Cologne.

Recording & Production

This album presents the first complete recording of Kurt Schwertsik's piano works, made under the composer's direct supervision.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Kurt Schwertsik ultimately rejected serialism, a compositional method, and returned to tonality, influenced by John Cage and American composers.

Composer Biography

Kurt Schwertsik co-founded the ensemble 'die reihe' for new music in 1958 with composer Friedrich Cerha, and later the Vienna 'Salon Concerts' in 1965.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Kurt Schwertsik, despite his avant-garde background, aims to blend the technical refinement of the Darmstadt school with popular music and classical heritage.

Interpretation

Pianist Aya Klebahn makes a dedicated effort to understand Kurt Schwertsik's intentions, with the composer sometimes demonstrating the music through gestures and dance.

Performer Biography

Aya Klebahn, the pianist on this recording, was born in Tokyo and studied piano at the Toho-Gakuen University of Music before continuing her training in Vienna.