Shows
New Music by Karlheinz EsslBricolage (2024) for toy piano, screwdriver and live-electronicsKarlheinz Essl's last piece for toy piano. Performed live by himself during his farewell concert on May 5th, 2025 at the Klangtheater of the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. https://www.essl.at/works/ bricolage.html https://www.essl.at/concerts/2025.html#mdw
2025-05-1908 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslImprovisation als Rettung (Podcast)Im Gespräch mit der trans-Art Künstlerin Astrid Rieder spricht Karlheinz Essl über die Zeit, „Zufall und Notwendigkeit“ (Jacques Monod), über die Dialektik von Gemütlichkeit und Unbequemlichkeit in der kollektiven Performance und die Improvisation als Rettung. Nach langjähriger Erfahrung mit digitalen Werkzeugen experimentiert Karlheinz Essl seit einiger Zeit mit einem hochempfindlichen analogen modularen Synthesizer namens 0-COAST, den er in Interaktion mit der Zeichnerin und trans-Art Performerin Astrid Rieder allein aus den Schwingungen des Geräts zum Klingen bringt.
Hier die Transkription dieses Interviews: https://essl.at/bibliogr/essl-rieder_3.html
2025-05-0424 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslVon Hirschen und Röhren (2024) - BINAURALGenerative sound environment for an art installation by Beat Zoder, written in MaxMSP. 6-channel live performance with Max9 at Studio kHz on 12 Dec 2024. Binaural rendering with REAPER and dearVR. Listen with headphones! https://essl.at/works/hirsch-roehren.html
In 2006, Swiss artist Beat Zoderer and Austrian composer Karlheinz Essl were commissioned to create a collaborative work for the music festival Stanser Musiktage. In an abandoned repository situated in the heart of the Swiss alps, both artists were setting up a room installation made of sewer pipes. Those plastic parts of different lengths were equipped with funnel speakers driven by a customized...
2024-12-1209 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslWarum Klassik? Portrait Karlheinz Essl (2024)In dieser Folge des Podcasts "Warum Klassik?" porträtiert Leonard Eröd den Composer/Performer Karlheinz Essl, der nicht nur die Grenzen zwischen den Kunstdisziplinen, sondern auch die Grenze zwischen Komponist und Interpret aufhebt. Veröffentlicht am 23.10.2024.
Der vollständige Beitrag kann hier abgerufen werden: https://sound.orf.at/podcast/oe1/warum-klassik/punk-und-sprayer
Webfassung: https://essl.at/bibliogr/essl_warum-klassik.html
2024-10-2313 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslRespektvoll und frech: Das Duo Heginger/EsslRadiofeature von Jörg Duit über das Improvisationsduo OUT OF THE BLUE mit Agnes Heginger (Stimme) und Karlheinz Essl (Live-Elektronik). Erstsendung am 20.3.2018 im Zeit-Ton auf Ö1.
https://www.essl.at/bibliogr/duit-sommerwellen.html
Die charismatische Sängerin Agnes Heginger und der kongeniale Komponist und Elektroniker Karlheinz Essl nehmen Gedichte als Ausgangspunkt für ihre Performances, die von beiden aus dem Moment heraus vertont werden. Das Offene und Unerwartete steht im Zentrum dieses Prozesses. Dabei reagieren sie auf den entstehenden Raum/Klang, die Zuhörerschaft, die gesprochenen und gesungenen Worte, die Soundscapes und Geräusche, die hörbaren oder nur gedachten Gedanken. Hinter d...
2023-11-0856 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslKalimba (2005) - for toy piano and playbackKarlheinz Essl's first piece for toy piano, composed 2005 for Isabel Ettenauer, became a signature piece for this instrument.
The primary aim of this piece is an attempt to break up the restricted sound world of the toy piano - not by superficial means of additional sound processing, but by the sound of the instrument itself. This is achieved by a sound file which is played back by a small loudspeaker which is hidden inside the toy piano; this creates a perfect blend between the sounds of the instrument and the sounds from the loudspeaker.
Info and score: http://www.essl...
2023-10-0605 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOWer #1Sounds flood through the room, drip from the ceiling and evaporate in an eternal cycle. On May 13, 2000, the Minoritenkirche in Krems was transformed into an acoustic water reservoir by a generative sound installation by Karlheinz Essl. The occasion was the last part of the project series "fLOW". Once again Karlheinz Essl invited top-class international instrumentalists, composers and sound artists from a wide variety of musical contexts (ranging from jazz to new music to free improvisation) to be part of a musical work process in continuous flux.
Featuring: Anne LaBerge: flute and electronics, Arne Deforce: cello and electronics, Martin Siewert: electric...
2023-07-2707 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOWer #2Sounds flood through the room, drip from the ceiling and evaporate in an eternal cycle. On May 13, 2000, the Minoritenkirche in Krems was transformed into an acoustic water reservoir by a generative sound installation by Karlheinz Essl. The occasion was the last part of the project series "fLOW". Once again Karlheinz Essl invited top-class international instrumentalists, composers and sound artists from a wide variety of musical contexts (ranging from jazz to new music to free improvisation) to be part of a musical work process in continuous flux.
Featuring: Anne LaBerge: flute and electronics, Arne Deforce: cello and electronics, Martin Siewert: electric...
2023-07-2708 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOWer #3Sounds flood through the room, drip from the ceiling and evaporate in an eternal cycle. On May 13, 2000, the Minoritenkirche in Krems was transformed into an acoustic water reservoir by a generative sound installation by Karlheinz Essl. The occasion was the last part of the project series "fLOW". Once again Karlheinz Essl invited top-class international instrumentalists, composers and sound artists from a wide variety of musical contexts (ranging from jazz to new music to free improvisation) to be part of a musical work process in continuous flux.
Featuring: Anne LaBerge: flute and electronics, Arne Deforce: cello and electronics, Martin Siewert: electric...
2023-07-2706 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOWer #4Sounds flood through the room, drip from the ceiling and evaporate in an eternal cycle. On May 13, 2000, the Minoritenkirche in Krems was transformed into an acoustic water reservoir by a generative sound installation by Karlheinz Essl. The occasion was the last part of the project series "fLOW". Once again Karlheinz Essl invited top-class international instrumentalists, composers and sound artists from a wide variety of musical contexts (ranging from jazz to new music to free improvisation) to be part of a musical work process in continuous flux.
Featuring: Anne LaBerge: flute and electronics, Arne Deforce: cello and electronics, Martin Siewert: electric...
2023-07-2733 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOWer #5Sounds flood through the room, drip from the ceiling and evaporate in an eternal cycle. On May 13, 2000, the Minoritenkirche in Krems was transformed into an acoustic water reservoir by a generative sound installation by Karlheinz Essl. The occasion was the last part of the project series "fLOW". Once again Karlheinz Essl invited top-class international instrumentalists, composers and sound artists from a wide variety of musical contexts (ranging from jazz to new music to free improvisation) to be part of a musical work process in continuous flux.
Featuring: Anne LaBerge: flute and electronics, Arne Deforce: cello and electronics, Martin Siewert: electric...
2023-07-2717 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslF.O.R.M. (Fragile Organisms, Recovered Molecules) - BINAURALSpatial audio - listen with headphones!
Random walk through the dance/sound/performance "Forms of Life", shown on Dec 18th, 2021 at OFF-Theater Vienna, feat. Andrea Nagl (choreography, dance, instruments)and Karlheinz Essl (composition, live-electronics).
https://www.essl.at/works/HEAD.html
https://www.essl.at/works/forms-of-life.html
2021-12-2009 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslM.E.A.L. (Meeting Eva At Lunch) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Portrait des Gasthauses "Alte Schule" in Riedenthal, wo Manfred Buchinger gemeinsam mit der Schriftstellerin Eva Rossmann hervorragend kocht.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers he...
2021-11-2507 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslD.Y.J.E. (Do-it Yourself Jealous Emperor) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait des Flusses Thaya (tschechisch: Dyje), der die Grenze zwischen dem Waldviertel und Südmähren bildet.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers hera...
2021-10-2512 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslS.I.L.L. (Sounds Intercept Little Lovers) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Hommage à Anton Webern, aufgenommen in Mittersill, wo der Komponist 1945 von einem amerikanischen GI in vermeintlicher Notwehr erschossen wurde.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers her...
2021-10-2507 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslD.U.N.A. (Diluted Units of Natural Atmosphere) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait der Donau an ihrer Mündung, dem fantastischen Donaudelta in Rumänien.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers herausfordern. Durch den 3D-Sound werd...
2021-10-2507 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslR.I.D.E. (Rough Interplay of Dream & Ecstasy) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait des Wiener Praters mit seinen Attraktionen wie der Hochschaubahn, der Geisterbahn, der Lilliputbahn und der Achterbahn.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers he...
2021-10-2507 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslR.E.T.Z. (Restoring Energy Through Zest) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait der Landschaft am ehem. Eisernen Vorhang in der Gegend von Retz, einem hübschen Städtchen im Weinviertel.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuh...
2021-10-2507 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslG.R.A.Z. (Generic Research on Ambient Zones) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound!
Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait der Stadt Graz mit dem Jakominiplatz, dem Stadtpark, einem Bauernmarkt und der Kunstuniversität.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers herausfordern. Durch den...
2021-10-2507 minNew Music by Karlheinz EsslL.U.N.Z. (Lazy Unicorns Nibble Zealously) - BINAURALBinaural production - listen with headphones to enjoy the 3D sound! Soundscape by Karlheinz Essl, poem by Erwin Uhrmann. A track from the audio book K.O.P.F. (Limbus 2021). https://essl.at/kopf/
Ein Portrait von Lunz und dem gleichnamigen See bei Gewitter.
Mittels Kunstkopf-Stereophonie hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl Soundscapes aufgenommen, die sich auf einen konkreten Ort oder eine besondere Situation beziehen. Erwin Uhrmann hat zu diesen Klangstücken lyrische Texte verfasst und selbst eingesprochen. Die Titel bezeichnen den Ort und sind gleichzeitig Akronyme, die die Fantasie des Zuhörers herausfordern. Durch den 3D-Sound werden sie unmittelbar erfahrbar.
2021-10-2106 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslTAU XII - Jesus dying on the cross (2021) for mezzo soprano, flute, clarinet, horn & accordionTAU is a 14-part ensemble piece for flute, clarinet, french horn, accordion, violoncello and voice. It was developed collaboratively by the composers Karlheinz Essl, Tanja Elisa Glinsner, Jakob Gruchmann-Bernau and Till Alexander Körber during the COVID pandemic 2020/2021.
TAU XII was written by Karlheinz Essl and had its premier on Sep 18th, 2021 at the seminar church of Tanzenberg/Plešivec (Carinthia), performed by Tanja Elisa Glinsner: mezzo soprano, Elisabeth Möst: flute, Andreas Schablas: clarinets, Daniel Loipold: french horn, Eva Maria Mitter: accordion, Barbara Körber: cello and conducted by Jakob Gruchmann-Bernau.
https://www.essl.at/works/TAU.html
The cent...
2021-10-1504 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslTrois Cent Drones (2021) for toy piano and live-electronicsKarlheinz Essl's latest composition for toy piano performed by Isabel Ettenauer (Michelsonne toy piano) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics)on July 24th, 2021 at the festival Kulturbrücke Fratres.
This composition is an transformation of the original piano piece Trois cent notes where the resonances of the sympathetic strings of the grand piano are simulated by electronic means. By this, the toy piano becomes a new instrument with an artificial sustain pedal.
More information and score download at: https://www.essl.at
2021-06-2203 min
New Music by Karlheinz Essltenet opera rotas (2020) - palindrome for organA palindromic organ piece by Karlheinz Essl in memory of Anton Webern and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death on September 15th, 1945.
Recorded with Pier Damiano Peretti at Heillersaal of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna on 17 Feb 2021. Edited and mastered by Karlheinz Essl.
https://www.essl.at/works/tenet-opera-rotas.html
2021-01-2706 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslTrois cent notes (2019) - for toy piano300 notes in 4 minutes, the most recent toy piano composition by Karlheinz Essl.
Score available for free: www.essl.at
Although notated solely in quavers, the tempo encompasses a wide range from very slow to extremely fast. Starting with a speed of MM = 50, it gradually accelerates to MM = 400 which equals three “time octaves”, speaking with Karlheinz Stockhausen (cf. his famous article ...how time passes... from 1957). A similar transition also happens in the harmonic domain where the range of three octaves (from F to f”) finally collapses into a single pitch (f'):
And also in the dynamics, a permanent process of crescendo and di...
2021-01-2303 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslP.R.O.B. (Performing Relatively Organized Bells) - BINAURALBinaural recording: listen with headphones!
Generative soundscape based on a two-dimensional random walk between four binaural soundscapes, recorded between 2019 and 2020 during rehearsals with Karlheinz Essl in Vienna, Austria:
1) dress rehearsal of the Arditti Quartet performing Essl's 3rd string quartet at the Mozartsaal of Konzerthaus Vienna
2) setting up the space for a concert of Essl's composition class with the Bösendorfer CEUS computer piano at the University of Music and Performing Art in Vienna
3) Ensemble Reconsil rehearsing Essl's toy piano concerto "under wood" at REAKTOR in Vienna
4) organ registration for Essl's piece "unbestimmt" at the St. Michael, Vienna for a concert o...
2020-11-1610 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslZUNGENREDEN: Werkstattgespräch (1990)Karlheinz Essl und Eva Linder über ihre Zusammenarbeit für das Hörstück ZUNGENREDEN, das 1990 für das ORF Kunstradio im Studio RP4 produziert wurde.
Moderation und Gestaltung: Reinhard Handl
Redaktion: Heidi Grundmann
Transkript: https://essl.at/bibliogr/essl-linder_zungenreden.html
2020-05-3112 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslvingt secondes (2020) for organPerformed by Wolfgang Kogert on the organ of the Hofburgkapelle in Vienna, Austria. Released on the album ORGANO/LOGICS (col legno 2023) https://essl.at/records/organologics.html
"vingt secondes" is Karlheinz Essl's shortest composition. It lasts only 20 seconds - the guideline for washing one's hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was written during the lockdown in the Easter holidays of 2020. Originally written for melodica, this version was performed on the organ of the Hofburgkapelle Vienna by Wolfgang Kogert. Compositionally, the piece expresses a harmonic spread from a single note to three octaves at the end.
More information and free score...
2020-04-2300 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslvingt secondes (2020) for accordion"vingt secondes" is Karlheinz Essl's shortest composition. It lasts only 20 seconds - the guideline for washing one's hands during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was written during the lockdown in the Easter holidays of 2020. Originally written for melodica, this version was performed on an accordion by Dorrit Bauerecker who also made this recording.
Compositionally, the piece expresses a harmonic spread from a single note to three octaves at the end.
More information and free score download:
http://www.essl.at/works/vingt-secondes.html
2020-04-2000 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslfreude • funken (2020) for mixed choirKarlheinz Essl's contribution to the Beethoven Year 2020: an immersive composition for mixed choir with 16 voices based on Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from his 9th symphony. Realized with the a-capella-chor tulln (dir. Gottfried Zawichowski). Composed in April 2020 during the quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information and score available for download from http://www.essl.at/works/freude-funken.html
2020-04-1602 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSilent Night 24:12Extreme time stretch of the well-known Christmas carol "Silent Night", playing forwards and backwards in exactly 24'12". Created on 21 Dec 2019 with Karlheinz Essl's granular sound file shredder REplay PLAYer. http://www.essl.at/works/replay.html
2019-12-1824 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslForms of Life (2019) for small instruments, voice and live-electronicsStudio recording of a dance performance with live-electronics, performed by Andrea Nagl (ocean drum, shrutibox, Klangfeile, voice, bells & dance)and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics, composition).
More info: http://www.essl.at/works/forms-of-life.html
2019-11-0332 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur IVb (2008/2011) for viola and live-electronicsRecorded live at INTONAZIONE festival on 20 Sep 2019 at Eremo Santa Caterina in Rio nell'Elba, performed by Rafał Zalech (viola & live-electronics)during a dance performance of Andrea Nagl. Mixed and produced by Karlheinz Essl.
"Sequitur" is a series of compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics which was started in 2008. Somehow it can be seen as a reference to Berio’s famous “Sequenze” cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument.
All Sequitur compositions use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s live input; the player is confronted with his...
2019-10-1913 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur IIIb (2008/2018)for viola and live-electronicsRecorded live at INTONAZIONE festival on 20 Sep 2019 at Eremo Santa Caterina in Rio nell'Elba, performed by Rafał Zalech (viola & live-electronics)during a dance performance of Andrea Nagl. Mixed and produced by Karlheinz Essl.
Sequitur is a series of compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics which I started in 2008. Somehow it can be seen as a reference to Berio’s famous “Sequenze” cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument.
All Sequitur compositions use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s live input; the player is confronted with his...
2019-10-1907 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslCheckin' my Shrutis... (2019) generative sound scapeThe first hour of the generative drone scape "Checkin' my Shrutis...", recorded by Karlheinz Essl on July 9th, 2019 at Studio kHz. The entire piece lasts for twelve hours, slowly cycling through a sequence of 25 chords, played on a chromatic Shrutibox and recorded by Karlheinz Essl. For deep listening, meditation and relaxation.
Learn more about the creation of this piece: http://www.essl.at/works/CMS.html
2019-07-101h 02
New Music by Karlheinz EsslfLOW per Sandro (2019) - generative improvisation environmentGenerative improvisation environment based on Karlheinz Essl's soundscape generator fLOW, created for guitarist Francesco Cuoghi. Premiered during the festival TODAYs MUSIC in Rome on June 21st, 2019 at Biblioteca Sandro Onofri.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/flow-per-sandro.html
2019-06-1210 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslVERTIGO (2019) for 4 loudspeakers and carousel - BINAURALImagine yourself sitting on a carousel and circling around. On your ride, you can hear music from 4 loudspeakers that are mounted at the foot of the carousel. Only those who let their bodies swing round and round will hear, feel, and experience the music composed for this situation.
For this occasion, Karlheinz Essl has created a swirling sound environment based on his composition „Kalimba” for toy piano and electronics.
Part of „Let’s merry-go-round” - a project by musikprotokoll in collaboration with the International Summer Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
More information: http://www.essl.at/works/v...
2019-05-1102 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslG.R.A.Z. (Generic Research on Ambient Zones) - binaural radio featureListen with headphones in order to enjoy the 3D sound!
Feature by composer Karlheinz Essl and poet Erwin Uhrmann about the City of Graz, Austria. Based on binaural soundscape recorded in various places of this beautiful and vivid town. Part of the work-in-progress H.E.A.D. (Hearing Entirely Ambient Domains) http://www.essl.at/works/HEAD.html
2019-04-1807 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslTrois cent notes (2019)- version for vibraphone - BINAURAL300 notes in 4 minutes, a brand new composition by Karlheinz Essl, originally scored for piano, played on a vibraphone with the depressed sustain pedal.
Score available for free: www.essl.at
Although notated solely in quavers, the tempo encompasses a wide range from very slow to extremely fast. Starting with a speed of MM = 50, it gradually accelerates to MM = 400 which equals three “time octaves”, speaking with Karlheinz Stockhausen (cf. his famous article ...how time passes... from 1957). A similar transition also happens in the harmonic domain where the range of three octaves (from F to f”) finally collapses into a single pitch (f'):
A...
2019-03-1103 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslTrois cent notes (2019) for piano - BINAURAL300 notes in 4 minutes, a brand new composition by Karlheinz Essl played on a Steinway piano with depressed sustain pedal.
Score available for free: http://www.essl.at
Although notated solely in quavers, the tempo encompasses a wide range from very slow to extremely fast. Starting with a speed of MM = 50, it gradually accelerates to MM = 400 which equals three “time octaves”, speaking with Karlheinz Stockhausen (cf. his famous article ...how time passes... from 1957). A similar transition also happens in the harmonic domain where the range of three octaves (from F to f”) finally collapses into a single pitch (f'):
And also in the...
2019-01-0903 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslMiles to go (2012) for four prepared and amplified toy pianos - BINAURALBinaural rendering of a live recording - listen with headphones!
In "Miles to go", four toy pianists are treated as a single unit, forming a single meta-instrument. They are not merely playing different voices, but contributing to a common sound that they are creating together. The dense and fast hammering at independent tempos creates haunting phasing effects that appear as an aural rendering of the well-known visual moiré patterns. These hectic and breathless movements evoke moments of stress and unrest but at a certain point, become transformed by the listener to the opposite: a quality of calmness. Finally, another transformation t...
2018-12-2413 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslL.U.N.Z. (Lazy Unicorns Nibble Zealously) - BINAURALNB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!
Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings made at Lunz, Austria on Aug 7th, 2018: 1) hikers escaping an approaching thunderstorm 2) rain and thunder at the courtyard of the castle 3) swimming in the lake, 4) ride on an electric canoe through a narrow water canal.
Soundscapes recorded with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl
2018-08-0915 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslD.U.N.A. (Diluted Units of Natural Atmosphere) - BINAURALNB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!
Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots of the Danube Delta in Romania: 1) morning atmosphere near Sulina 2) evening atmosphere near Sulina 3) frog concert with paddle boats in Canal Magearu, 4)birds singing at Lacu Iaco.
Soundscapes recorded in May 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl
2018-08-0614 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslDie Erfindung des Unbekannten - Radiofeature (2006)Radiofeature von Alfred Koch über den Komponisten Karlheinz Essl. Erstsendung: 9 Juni 2006, 22:15 (Ö1 Tonspuren)
Der Komponist Karlheinz Essl ist ein Erforscher der Zwischenräume von Klang und Geräusch. Manchmal blubbert, kracht, pfeift und zischt es in seinen Kompositionen wie in einer Küche.
"Mich haben immer Hintergrundstrukturen von Musik interessiert, ich versuche ein System zu entwickeln, das aus sich selbst heraus Klänge entwickelt", sagt Essl, für den der Zusammenhang zwischen Kochen und Komponieren nicht nur ein metaphorischer ist.
Für die "Tonspuren" begibt sich der "Komponist am Laptop" in die Küche. Und bereitet, während er über Klangenvironments räsoniert, die um s...
2018-06-2638 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslR.E.T.Z. (Restoring Energy Through Zest) - BINAURALNB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!
Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots in the region of Retz, Austria: 1) the main square in the city of Retz 2) Czech people talking in a bar in Šatov 3) birds singing near the river Thaya, 4) a so-called "Kellergasse" in Retz.
Soundscapes recorded on June 8th, 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl
2018-06-1013 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslWhere's the rainbow? (2018) - binaural sound performance © KUNSTRADIOListen with headphones! Binaural sound performance by Karlheinz Essl as a sonic comment to Peter Paul Ruben's painting "Landscape with Thunderstorm" (1620-1636). Broadcasted on May 13th, 2018 at the KUNSTRADIO of the Austrian Radio Ö1. Presentation: Anna Soucek.
More information: http://www.essl.at/bibliogr/essl-soucek_kunstradio.html
2018-05-1455 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslW.I.E.N. (Where Intelligence Enhances Neuroticism) - BINAURALNB: Listen with headphones to enjoy the immersive sound of this piece!
Generative soundscape based on a random walk between four binaural recordings from different spots in the city of Vienna, Austria: 1) Café Mozart near the Opera 2) reading hall of the Austrian National Library, 3) children’s playground at Draschepark, 4) pond near Gerasdorf with swimmer and kids.
Soundscapes recorded between March and April 2018 with Sennheiser Ambeo Headset. Generative software written in Max7 with objects from Karlheinz Essl's RTC-lib.
© 2018 by Karlheinz Essl
2018-05-1015 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslREplay PLAYer (2001)- sound performance @ ORF KUNSTRADIORadio live performance by Karlheinz Essl at ORF Kunstradio, Vienna on 25 Feb 2001, preceded by an interview with Susanna Niedermayr.
http://www.essl.at/works/replay.html
REplay PLAYer is Karlheinz Essl’s contribution to the Kunstradio Series RE-PLAY UPDATE. Karlheinz Essl approached the exemplary selection of sound material presented in in the exhibition "RE-PLAY Beginning of International Media Art in Austria” with reference to their compositional usability. A special characteristic of the software developed for the project REplay PLAYer is that the supplied sound examples will be sampled, fragmented, and newly arranged according to a given score during the live-performance. Karl...
2018-05-0953 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: Zarah (2017)- liveOUT OF THE BLUE
Agnes Heginger: voice
Karlheinz Essl: electronics
This live recording is based on spontaneous improvisations performed by OUT OF THE BLUE at the Danube Festival on Aug 6th, 2017. The live-electronics are based on pre-recorded sound samples which are processed in realtime by computer algorithms, developed by composer Karlheinz Essl. Agnes Heginger’s magnificent voice freely meanders through a maze of texts by German and Austrian poets like Ingeborg Bachmann, Joachim Ringelnatz and Christine Nöstlinger. The result is an hermetic, megalithic, cathartic, and evocative sound experience.
Released on 22 Aug 2017 by Nachtstück Records.
2018-03-2208 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSome Way Up (2018) - electronic sound performance for a painting by RubensSound performance for the painting "Thunderstorm with Philemon and Baucis" (1625)by Peter Paul Rubens. Commissioned by Jacqueline Kornmüller for the theatre project GANYMED NATURE, performed at Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.
"In seiner Komposition Some Way Up erforscht der Komponist Karlheinz Essl die "Gewitterlandschaft"" von Peter Paul Rubens. Vor dem Werk wird er spontan wie ein Wettermacher immer neue Stürme entfesseln, Regenmassen niederprasseln lassen und elektronische Regenbögen erschaffen." (Jacqueline Kornmüller)
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/some-way-up.html
2018-01-1710 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslWhere's the Rainbow? (2018) - electronic sound environmentSound environment for the photo exhibition "The Last Day" by Helmut Wimmer, shown at the Kunsthistorische Museum Vienna between March and December 2018.
Composed and produced by Karlheinz Essl at Studio kHz
http://www.essl.at/works/wheres-the-rainbow.html
2018-01-0435 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: All Time Summer (2017) - liveOUT OF THE BLUE
Agnes Heginger: voice
Karlheinz Essl: electronics
This live recording is based on spontaneous improvisations performed by OUT OF THE BLUE at the Danube Festival on Aug 6th, 2017. The live-electronics are based on pre-recorded sound samples which are processed in realtime by computer algorithms, developed by composer Karlheinz Essl. Agnes Heginger’s magnificent voice freely meanders through a maze of texts by German and Austrian poets like Ingeborg Bachmann, Joachim Ringelnatz and Christine Nöstlinger. The result is an hermetic, megalithic, cathartic, and evocative sound experience.
Released on 22 Aug 2017 by Nachtstück Records.
2017-08-2207 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslnon Sequitur (2009)- performance for sound sculpture & live-electronicsVersion for sound sculpture and live-electronics, performed by Karlheinz Essl. Recorded live at the Technical Museum Vienna, 3 Oct 2009
http://www.essl.at/works/non-sequitur.html
„non Sequitur” is a series of pieces for various gadgets (like punch-tape controlled music boxes, kalimbas or sound sculptures) and live-electronics which are side products of Karlheinz Essl's Sequitur cycle. Although the non Sequitur pieces are using a similar software as the Sequitur compositions, they are mainly based on improvisation and can only be played by Karlheinz Essl himself.
2017-06-0805 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslMozart-Lamento (2015) - electronic sound performanceGranular re/de/construction of Mozart's string quintet in G minor (KV 516), written in Max and performed live by Karlheinz Essl on April 29th, 2017 at Studio kHz.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/mozart-lamento.html
2017-04-2911 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslFABRIC (2017) - electronic soundtrack for a multi-media performanceSoundtrack of a multi-media performance by Karlheinz Essl reflecting the situation of female workers in a textile factory in Vienna in the early 20th century.
Die Musik entwickelt sich aus zwei gegensätzlichen Klangmaterialien – einem Nähmaschinengeräusch bzw. Fragmenten aus Schuberts Klavierlied „Gretchen am Spinnrade“ – und steigert sich zu hochenergetischer Klangverdichtung, die als „Wall of Sound” mit voller Härte auf das Publikum trifft. Die Klangebene sowie die ebenfalls von Karlheinz Essl als Algorithmus konzipierten Visuals befinden sich während der Live-Performance in einem ständigen, sich langsam verändernden Transformationsprozess. Dazwischen gibt es lyrische Abschnitte mit Klavierimprovisationen, die - ebenfalls bereits...
2017-03-0114 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslda braccio (1999/2016)- interactive realtime composition for string sounds and computerPerformed by Karlheinz Essl at Plivka, Kiev (UA) on Nov 19th, 2016 using his MaxMSP-based computer instrument m@ze°2.
http://www.essl.at/works/da_braccio.html
2017-02-0109 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslLe mystère d'orgue (2003) - sound environment for Hermann NitschExcerpt from a generative sound installation for a Hermann Nitsch exhibition at the Essl Museum, Klosterneuburg (Austria) in 2003.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/mysteredorgue.html
As musical accompaniment for the major Hermann Nitsch retrospective at the Essl Museum, Karlheinz Essl has created a expansive sound installation which has its centre in the Rotunda and, from there, floods the large hall and the galleries with sound. For Nitsch, music has always been an integral element of his Orgien Mysterien Theater, which found its climax in the 6-Day-Play in August 1998. For this meticulously choreographed "Gesamtkunstwerk" the artist composed an original music...
2016-12-2703 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur III (2008) - for violin and live-electronicsPerformed by Andrii Pavlov (violin) and Karlheinz Essl (electronics). Recorded live at Plivka, Kiev on Nov 19th, 2016 during Karlheinz Essl’s portrait concert at the festival EM-VISIA.
http://www.essl.at/concerts/2016.html#kiev
2016-11-2207 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslLexikon-Sonate (2016) live at NIME Conference 2016Karlheinz Essl's legendary realtime composition, performed by the composer himself at the NIME 2106 Conference in Brisbane, Australia on a Yamaha Disklavier.
Lexikon-Sonate is an interactive realtime composition environment for musical composition and live performances. It takes advantage of composition algorithms that has been developed by Karlheinz Essl since 1985. With this algorithmic music generator on can easily create fascinating and complex musical structures on the fly. Furthermore, Lexikon-Sonate is an infinite music installation that can run on a computer for years without repeating itself. Finally, Lexikon-Sonate can be used as an instrument for live performance of electronic music.
Download the software...
2016-07-1213 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOh Nacht, oh Schweigen, oh todtenstiller Lärm! (2015) - free improvisation on Nietzsche and WagnerFree improvisation about Nietzsche and Wagner by OUT OF THE BLUE with Agnes Heginger (vocals) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics). Recorded live at the Essl Museum (Klosterneuburg/Vienna) on April 27th, 2016.
Das Offene und Unerwartete ist Ausgangspunkt dieser Performance, die von Friedrich Nietzsche und seinem ambivalenten Verhältnis zu Richard Wagner inspiriert ist. Eine Auswahl seiner Texte, Gedanken und Gedichte dient als Material und Katalysator eines Prozesses, der sich momentan auf der Bühne ereignet und keinem vorgegebenen Plan folgt.
2016-05-1447 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslAmazing Maze (1993 ff.) - algorithmic realtime compositionAmazing Maze is a computer program written by Karlheinz Essl in 1993 ff. It automatically generates music by manipulating sampled instrumental sounds according to certain compositional strategies that are carried out in different structure generators. Each generator synthesizes its own characteristic sonic world.
The compositional algorithms have been programmed in MaxMSP by taking advantage of my Real Time Composition Library (RTC-lib). This collection of software modules offers the possibility to experiment with a number of compositional techniques, such as serial procedures, permutations and controlled randomness.
Free download of the software (Mac/PC)from http://www.essl.at
2016-01-2103 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur VIII (2008)- for electric guitar and live-electronicsPerformed and recorded by Karlheinz Essl on 14 Jan 2009 at Studio kHz.
Having played the electric guitar as a rock-obsessed teenager, I re-discovered it 25 years later. In the meantime, I have studied composition and musicology and became heavily involved with electronic and computer music. Working as a composer writing complex musical scores I felt more and more the desire to re-connect to those ecstatic times when I was performing on stage with my electric guitar. But first I developed my own idiosyncratic electronic instrument called m@ze°2 (1998 ff.) which I am still using for free improvisation and live performances.
In 2007, I w...
2015-11-1208 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslWebernUhrWerk: Recording (5 hours)This is a 5 hour recording of Karlheinz Essl's sound installation WebernUhrWerk. Every 15 minutes, a short Carillon phrase based on the twelve-tone row of Anton Webern is played. Be aware that most of the time this piece is silent!
The original composition, however, is based on a generative computer program which you can download from here:
http://www.essl.at/works/webernuhrwerk/download.html
It was created for commemorating the 70th anniversary of Webern's death on 15 September 2015 in a global event called "World-Wide Webern". In order to join in, you can use this recording. Start it exactly at the beginning of...
2015-08-255h 00
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOMNIA IN OMNIBUS: Finale (2015) – sound & video performanceFinal part of Karlheinz Essl’s sound/video performance Omnia in omnibus, created for the 650th anniversary of the University of Vienna.
Recorded live at Studio kHz on June 13th, 2015.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/OIO.html
2015-06-2415 min
New Music by Karlheinz Essl1 Herbeck Besprechen (2014)Erster Teil aus Karlheinz Essl KUNSTRADIO-Stück "Herbeck extended" über den Dichter Ernst Herbeck (1920-1991), der die meiste Zeit seines Lebens im psychiatrischen Krankenhaus Maria Gugging verbrachte.
Was zunächst wie ein herkömmliches Literaturfeature beginnt entwickelt sich aber schon bald zu einem bedrohlichen Szenario, in dem die Stimmen, die Ernst Herbeck Zeit seines Lebens verfolgt haben, die Oberhand gewinnen.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/herbeck-extended.html
2014-11-0207 min
New Music by Karlheinz Essl5 Herbeck Befragen (2014)Letzter Teil aus Karlheinz Essl KUNSTRADIO-Stück "Herbeck extended" über den Dichter Ernst Herbeck (1920-1991), der die meiste Zeit seines Lebens im psychiatrischen Krankenhaus Maria Gugging verbrachte.
Im Nachlass Ernst Herbeck wurde von der Literaturwissenschaftlerin Gisela Steinlechner einen Fragebogen gefunden, den der Psychiater Leo Navratil aufgesetzt hatte. Die Fragen waren mit Schreibmaschine getippt; darunter hat Herbeck seine Antworten hingekritzelt. - Dieses Frage-und-Antwort Spiel zwischen der Stimmen von Sandra Kreisler und einer Computerstimme namens Leopold ereignet sich vor dem Hintergrund einer sich äußerst langsam bewegenden hochexpressiven Orchestermusik, in der Mozart anklingt, der erklärte Lieblingskomponist Ernst Herbecks.
Info: http://www.essl...
2014-11-0213 min
New Music by Karlheinz Essl3 Herbeck Kommentar (2014)Dritter Teil aus Karlheinz Essl KUNSTRADIO-Stück "Herbeck extended" über den Dichter Ernst Herbeck (1920-1991), der die meiste Zeit seines Lebens im psychiatrischen Krankenhaus Maria Gugging verbrachte.
Ein Kommentar über Karlheinz Essls persönlichen Zugang zu Ernst Herbeck, gelesen von Andreas Wolf. Im Hintergrund wird allmählich Herbecks Gedicht "Das Leben" erahnbar, das im Zentrum des nächsten Abschnitts steht.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/herbeck-extended.html
2014-11-0105 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslWebernSpielWerk (2005) - toy piano and ringmodulatorComposed 2005 for the 60th anniversary of Anton Webern's death, performed by Isabel Ettenauer and Karlheinz Essl.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/webernspielwerk.html
2013-10-0306 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslcolorado (2005-2008) - for saxophone quartet and live-electronicsPerformed by students of Lars Mlekusch and Karlheinz Essl on March 9th, 2013 at the MUK Vienna.
Auf einer USA-Reise im Jahr 2005 war der Colorado River für einige Tage unser Wegbegleiter. Sein unbeirrtes Weiterströmen, seine chamäleonartige Farbigkeit und sein ungeheure Kraft (von dem das Grand Canyon ein berührendes Zeugnis ablegt)erschienen mir als naturgewordene Metapher für eine Komposition, die zu jener Zeit in meinem Kopf herankeimte: ein Werk für Saxophonquartett und Live-Elektronik, dem ich den Namen "colorado" gab.
Bei der Aufführung des Werkes sitzen die vier Musiker des Quartetts in der Mitte des Saales; vier La...
2013-03-0913 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: Du bist mir fehlAgnes Heginger's (voice) and Karlheinz Essl's (live-electronics) spontaneous interpretation of a poem by Hermann Niklas. Performed live at the Essl Museum Klosterneuburg (5 Dec 2012).
Info: http://www.essl.at/div/outoftheblue.html
2012-12-0508 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSuspended Suspense (2012) - sound environment for Xenia HausnerSound environment of Xenia Hausner’s room installation „ÜberLeben”, shown at the Essl Museum in Klosterneuburg (A) in 2012.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/suspended-suspense.html
Eigens für die Installation von Xenia Hauser in der Rotunde des Essl Museums hat der Komponist Karlheinz Essl sein Sound-Environment „Suspended Suspense” geschaffen, das mit minimalsten Mitteln eine Atmosphäre unerträglicher Spannung zu erzielen sucht. Ein schneidend hoher Ton und ein tiefes Rauschen schwellen unvorhersehbar an und ab und erzeugen dabei eine hypnotische Stimmung.
2012-10-2404 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSi! (2012) - for tenor tuba and live-electronicsPerformed by Karlheinz Siessl (euphonium) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at festival Klangspuren (2012).
Some years ago I received an e-mail by a tuba player named Karlheinz Siessl who found it funny that our names are so similar: they only differ in the syllable "si". He suggested a collaboration and asked me to write a piece for his instrument. Shortly thereafter I invited him into my studio where we improvised together in order to become acquainted with each other. The result was so enjoyable and promising that I agreed to compose a piece for him.
Pondering over the piece, I suddenly found...
2012-09-2616 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: Whoever you areAgnes Heginger (voice) and Karlheinz Essl improvising on a poem by Walt Whitman. Performed live at the festival LOISIARTE on March 25th, 2013 in Langenlois, Austria.
Info: http://www.essl.at/div/outoftheblue.html
2012-03-2506 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslRapprochement (1992) - for violin and celloPerformed by Christian Altenburger (violin) and Reinhard Latzko (cello)at festival LOISIARTE, Langenlois (23 Mar 2012).
Geige und Cello, als Mitglieder einer Instrumentenfamilie eng verwandt und doch stark voneinander unterschieden, erleben während eines viertelstündigen Dialogs die fortwährende Verwandlung ihrer Identität. Die anfänglich extreme Gegensätzlichkeit zweier individueller Musiksprachen wird zum Ferment eines Ringens um Annäherung. Anstatt sich aber auf halben Wege im Kompromiß zu treffen, versuchen beide Instrumente, Momente des Anderen, Fremden zu übernehmen und ihrer Identität einzuverleiben. Ein Unterfangen, das paradoxerweise oftmals zu weiterer Entfremdung führt. Die Utopie einer völligen Übereinstimmung könnte am Schluß...
2012-03-2313 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslblurred (2011)- for alto flute, cello and vibraphone and live-electronicsKarlheinz Essls „blurred“ ist eine sehr geschickt komponierte, zum Teil zart und zerbrechlich wirkende 15-minütige Komposition, die sicher zum Besten gehört, was ich an Musik aus dem 21. Jahrhundert bislang gehört habe. Es ist teilweise wahrhaft atemberaubend, wie der Komponist aus nur drei Instrumenten (Flöte, Vibraphon und Violoncello) sowie Live-Elektronik (die der Komponist bei der Aufnahme selbst bediente) ein vermeintlich „großes“ Ensemble erstehen lässt und wie sich daraus ein Gespinst aus Klängen formt. (Rainer Aschemaier, CD Review 2012)
Live recording, performed by exxj (dir. Peter Burwik) and Karlheinz Essl, produced by Karlheinz Essl.
Info: http://www.essl.at/wor
2012-01-0115 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslLautstrom: Portrait Karlheinz Essl (2011)Jeremy Woodruff interviews Karlheinz Essl about his recent interdisciplinary sound works in collaboration with other artists including his sound installation on the grounds of the Humboldt University science campus in Berlin-Adlershof with Stefan Krüskemper.
Produced for the Berlin-based web radio "Lautstrom" in 2011.
http://www.essl.at/bibliogr/essl-woodruff.html
2011-12-1259 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: Auf ReisenFree improvised interpretation of Agnes Heginger's poem "Auf Reisen" by the improvisation duo OUT OF THE BLUE with Agnes Heginger (voice) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics). Performed live at Klangturm St. Pölten on 1 Oct 2011.
http://www.essl.at/div/outoftheblue.html
2011-10-0104 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur VI (2008) - for trumpet and live-electronicsPerformed by Amy Horvey (trumpet) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics)at the Concordia University, Montreal on 23 Sep 2011.
Sequitur is a series of 14 compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics written for outstanding soloists. Somehow it can be seen as a reference to Luciano Berio's famous Sequenze cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument. Essl's Sequitur cycle includes pieces for orchestral instruments like flute and violin, but also for voice, electric guitar, toy piano or kalimba.
All Sequitur composition use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s live in...
2011-09-2306 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOUT OF THE BLUE: EinzelhaftFree improvisation on the lyrics of Falco's "Einzelhaft" by Agnes Heginger (vocals) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics, performed live at Walzengravieranstalt Guntramsdorf on May 20th, 2011.
http://www.essl.at/div/outoftheblue.html
2011-05-2005 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslProper Ties (2010)- generative sound environment for an exhibition by Guido KucskoA generative sound environment for the art installation DOUBLE COATED IP CAPSULE by Guido Kucsko, presented at the Kunstforum Bank Austria (Vienna) in January 2011. Noises from our surrounding environment, bodies and machines are algorithmically morphed with the chant of a female, extracted from Karlheinz Essl's composition Sequitur IX for mezzo soprano and live-electronics.
http://www.essl.at/works/proper-ties.html
2011-01-0110 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur X (2010) - for trombone and live-electronicsAufgenommen am 27. November 2010 im ZKM_Kubus in Karlsruhe (D) mit Mike Svoboda (Posaune) und Karlheinz Essl (Live-Elektronik).
Seit 2008 arbeitet Karlheinz Essl an dem 14-teiligen Zyklus „Sequitur“ für unterschiedlichste Soloinstrumente und Live-Elektronik, der an die berühmten „Sequenze“ von Luciano Berio anknüpft. Hatte dieser einst prototypische Solostücke geschaffen, in denen die jeweiligen Instrumente mit all ihren klanglichen Finessen virtuos in Szene gesetzt werden, so geht es Essl um die Erweiterung dieses Ansatzes unter Einbeziehung der Live-Elektronik: Ein penibel auskomponierter und live gespielter Solopart wird via Mikrophon in ein eigens dafür geschaffenes Computerprogramm eingespeist, das daraus in Echtzeit einen elektro...
2010-11-2712 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur XII (2009) - for harpsichord and live-electronicsPerformed by Goska Isphording (harpsichord) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at NatLab Eindhoven (NL) on 10 Sep 2010.
In this composition, the harpsichord is played in a highly unconventional manner. Except for the end of the piece, no keys are touched. Instead, the sound board and the lowest string of the instrument are excited in different manners. A contact microphone mounted on the sound board acts like an acoustic lense that amplifies sounds that are normally inaudible. The interaction between the harpsichordist and the live-electronics creates a kind of meta-instrument. Its novel sounds and expressions purposely avoid the typical percussive sound of the...
2010-09-1012 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur XIII (2009) - for extended piano and live-electronicsRecorded live on 9 June 2010 at the Essl Museum, Klosterneuburg by Tzenka Dianova (piano) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics).
Karlheinz Essl's “Sequitur XIII” (2009/2013) for extended piano and live electronics is an innovative work in which the piano has been transformed into a super instrument thanks to a computer-based algorithmic system. Turning the relatively simple instrumental material into an orchestral entity through various real-time harmonic and spectral alterations, the piece multiplies the functions of the original instruments by recording the musicians' performance and playing it together with its modified version (Maria Kallionpää, 2014)
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/sequitur/sequitur-13.html
2010-06-0913 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslel-emen' (2004) - for percussion and live-electronicsPerformed by Stephan Froleyks (percussion) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at Stadtheater Münster during the KlangZeit Festival.
el-emen' für Solo-Schlagzeug und Live-Elektronik entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Percussionisten Günter Meinhart. Vier unterschiedliche Familien von Schlaginstrumenten (Fell, Holz, Metall und Keramik), die den vier Elementen zugeordnet sind, werden über Mikrophone abgenommen und in ein eigens dafür entwickeltes Computerprogramm eingespeist, das die Klangpartikel wie ein akustischer Teilchenbeschleuniger im Raum verwirbelt.
Der sich dabei aufbauende Klangstrudel wird zum Generator sich ständig verwandelnder Klanghybride – so, als würden chemische Elemente zu immer neuen Verbindungen verschmelzen. Damit erfüllt sich im Klangliche...
2010-02-1209 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur VII - for alto saxophone and live-electronicsRecorded by Lars Mlekusch (alto sax) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at Studio kHz (18 Aug 2009).
The Sequitur cycle consists of 14 different compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics. It can be seen as a reference to Berio’s famous “Sequenze” cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument.
All Sequitur composition use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s live input; the player is confronted with his own playing, and this creates a situation like moving in a house of mirrors where the identities becomes blurred.
The software generate...
2009-08-1807 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslBOCHUMSTEP (2009) - generative sound environment for a light installation by Rainer GottemeierGeneratives Klangenvironment zu einer Lichtinstallation von Rainer Gottemeier für das Projekt KunstLichtTore in Bochum.
Das bekannte Steigerlied - die heimliche Hymne des Ruhrgebiets - dient Karlheinz Essl als Ausgangsmaterial für sein Klang-Environment zu BOCHUMSTEP. Einer Aufnahme des Chorstücks wird eine eigene Bearbeitung für lochkarten-gesteuerte Spieluhr entgegengesetzt. Diese beiden Klangsphären verweisen auf die zwei unterschiedlichen, aber aufeinander bezogenene Aspekte des Bergbaus: der Mensch (Bergmann) - repräsentiert durch den Gesang - und die Maschine (Werkzeug) - dargestellt durch die Mechanik des Glockenspiels.
Mit einer eigens für dieses Projekt in MaxMSP entwickelten Software werden die beiden klangli...
2009-01-0108 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur IV (2008) - for cello and live-electronicsRecorded by Anton Lukoszevieze (cello) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK)on 18 Sep 2008.
The Sequitur cycle consists of 14 different compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics. It can be seen as a reference to Berio’s famous “Sequenze” cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument.
All Sequitur composition use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s live input; the player is confronted with his own playing, and this creates a situation like moving in a house of mirrors where the identiti...
2008-09-1815 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSequitur II (2008) - for clarinet and live-electronicsRecorded live on 23 Apr 2008 at the Essl Museum, Klosterneuburg with Georg Riedl (clarinet) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics).
Sequitur is a series of 14 compositions for various solo instruments and live-electronics written for outstanding soloists. Somehow it can be seen as a reference to Luciano Berio's famous Sequenze cycle of solo pieces which focus on specific playing techniques of the respective instrument. Essl's Sequitur cycle includes pieces for orchestral instruments like flute and violin, but also for voice, electric guitar, toy piano or kalimba.
All Sequitur composition use a software written in MaxMSP which creates an electronic accompaniment from the instrument’s li...
2008-04-2308 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslmore or less (2007) - realtime composition for computer-controlled soloistsPerformed by Ensemble Intègrales (Barbara Lüneburg: vl, Burkhard Friedrich: sax, Ashley Hribar: pno, Oleg Dziewanowski: perc) and Karlheinz Essl: m@z°2
more or less is an computer-driven realtime composition where the musicians do not reproduce parts of a fixed score. Instead of executing a pre-fabricated text from note sheets, they are viewing computer monitors which display random-generated playing instructions.
During the performance of the piece the musicians can make queries to their computers asking for playing instructions whenever they feel a necessity for it. Furthermore, a random-generated Haiku is created whenever a musician receives a new instruction from the...
2007-10-1216 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslFräulein Atlantis (2007) - sound and video environment for an installation by Jonathan MeeseJonathan Meese, der sanftwütige Kunstberserker aus deutschen Landen, verwandelt den Großen Saal des Essl Museums in eine überbordende Druckkammer, in der sich Objekte, Bilder und Klänge zu einem brodelnden Lavastrom verbinden. Herzstück dieses Environments bildet eine gigantische Maschine, die in der Rotunde des Museums versenkt ist und von dort ihre Energie in Form intensiver Klangströme nach oben leitet.
Für diese Installation entwickelte der Komponist Karlheinz Essl ein vielschichtiges Klangenvironment, das ausschließlich Jonathan Meeses Stimme als Ausgangsmaterial nutzt. Mit Hilfe der Programmiersprache Max hat er einen unbändiger Klang-Generator konstruiert, dessen Verhalten nicht vorhersehbar ist und f...
2007-09-2105 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslDeconstructing Mozart (2006)- for church organ and electronics (BINAURAL)Binaurale Stereoversion der Dolby 5.1 Surround-Aufnahme des ganzen 45-minütigen Stücks, das am 23.9.2006 im Dom von St. Pölten uraufgeführt wurde. Eine Kooperation von Karlheinz Essl mit Franz Danksagmüller. Für den räumlichen Hörgenuss unbedingt Kopfhörer verwenden!
Die langsame Einleitung zu Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts "Dissonanzenquartett" KV 465 ist voller harmonischer Kühnheiten, die nicht nur Mozarts Zeitgenossen erstaunten, sondern uns auch heute noch Rätsel aufgeben. Hier hat Mozart eine Musik erfunden, die sich bravourös über die tonalen Konventionen seiner Zeit hinwegsetzt und dabei weit in die Zukunft weist.
Eine Aufnahme dieses Einleitungssatzes, vom Organisten Franz Danksag...
2006-09-2342 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslAIR BORNE (2006)- generative sound environment in collaboration with Stefan KrüskemperA virtual walk through the AIR BORNE environment by Stefan Krüskemper with a generative sound environment composed by Karlheinz Essl. Permanent art installation at the campus of the Humboldt University in Berlin-Adlershof.
http://www.essl.at/works/airborne.html
http://www.air-borne.info
In the past, the site of today’s aerodynamic park in Berlin-Adlershof was a place filled with technical sounds. Whilst various periods of restructuring have changed the quality and quantity of the sounds, they have not been able to touch the qualities of the space on a visual and spatial level.
This is what gave rise to...
2006-09-0917 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslVon Hirschen und Röhren (2006) - generative sound environment for sound sculpture by Beat ZodererIn 2006, Swiss artist Beat Zoderer and Austrian composer Karlheinz Essl were commissioned to create a collaborative work for the music festival Stanser Musiktage. In an abandoned repository situated in the heart of the Swiss alps, both artists were setting up a room installation made of sewer pipes. Those plastic parts of different lengths were equipped with funnel speakers driven by a customized computer program written in MaxMSP by Karlheinz Essl. Utilizing realtime composition algorithms which the composers develops since 1985, his software created an ever-changing sonic environment which never repeated itself.
Seen from outside, the structure resembled a giant jackstraw heap...
2006-04-2302 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslnature / morte (2006) - generative sound environment for Günther BrusGenerative sound installation for a photo documentation on Viennese Actionism. Part of the exhibition "AUSTRIA: 1900-2000" at the Essl Museum in Klosterneuburg.
The sound-environment nature / morte has been conceived by the composer Karlheinz Essl especially for this exhibition. An artificial world of sound, generated by a computer programme written in Max/MSP in realtime, intends to “earthen“ the freeze-frames and bring into play again the lost dimensions of time and sound. Through listening, in a subliminal way, the connection between the analytical eye and the non-rational levels of the unconscious is intended to get re-established, in order to enable the list...
2006-02-1704 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSTREAMING (2003)- for 4 ensemble groups, 4 conductors, light system and a reverberant hallSTREAMING für 4 räumlich verteilte Ensemblegruppen und Hallraum wurde aus Anlass des Festivals musik aktuell eigens für die SchülerInnen der Musikschule Klosterneuburg komponiert. Dieses Werk hat keine Partitur, sondern besteht aus verschiedenen Spielmodellen, die von den Musikern improvisatorisch umgesetzt werden.
In den Raumecken eines leerstehenden Depots haben vier Ensemblegruppen à vier Spieler (Klarinette, E-Gitarre, Kontrabass und Schlagzeug) Aufstellung bezogen. Diese werden von vier DirigentInnen kontrolliert, die ihre Einsätze wiederum mittels Lichtsignalen vom Komponisten selbst erhalten.
Aus der Interaktion zwischen dem Komponisten, den DirigentInnen und den MusikerInnen der Ensemblegruppen entfaltet sich ein Organismus, der durch die lange Nachhallzeit des De...
2003-12-0224 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslSegreto Spaziale - Spiegelkabinett(2003) - for violin and live-electronicsExcerpt, performed by Ernst Kovacic (violin) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at Minoritenkirche Krems on 13 June 2003.
"Segreto Spaziale" ist eine einstündige Klangreise als Spiegel des wechselhaften seelischen Prozesses, in dem der Mensch „zwischen Memento mori und Halleluja“ zu sich selbst findet. Karlheinz Essl hat diese Idee Ernst Kovacic’ in ein neunteiliges kompositorisches und dramaturgisches Konzept gegossen. Per Funk-Mikrophon mit dem Computer verbunden, von Lichtregie begleitet, durchwandert Kovacic Säulengänge, Seitenschiffe, Chor und Krypta der Minoritenkirche, hält auf der Violine Zwiesprache mit dem Raum und den von diesem zurück geworfenen Klängen - wie auch seinem von Essls Computer in...
2003-06-1308 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslON FIRE (2001) - generative sound environment for Fabrizio PlessiON FIRE is a sonic intervention by Karlheinz Essl for the space-filling installation ONLY FIRE by the Venezian artist Fabrizio Plessi. It was presented at the Essl Museum between 28.11.2001 and 17.02.2002.
The sound of a fire blaze which is permanently filling the space is enriched with sonic gestures that are generated in real time by a special version of Karlheinz Essl's sound scape generator fLOW. The sound material on which it is based focusses on several aspects that are related with fire: steam and engine, heat and power, comfort and destruction.
Taking advantage of algorithmic models and chance operations - Karlheinz...
2001-11-2853 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslPRANK (2001) - electronic sound performanceA track from Karlheinz Essl's CD ©RUDE (released 2001) with electronic music, performed live on his computer-based instrument m@ze°2 at Kornhaus Bern (CH).
Karlheinz Essl performs on a laptop computer that he has transformed into a live electronic musical instrument. The result is exciting and musical. You just won't hear these sounds anywhere else. He performs solo and in duets and trios, responding with sensitivity to fellow musicians, producing fascinating sound transformations, creating spontaneous surprises, and moving quickly from loops to cacophony to tiny clips of vocal sounds to all kinds of textures and ideas. He does all this with hi...
2001-05-0105 min
New Music by Karlheinz Esslda braccio (2000) - for viola d'amore and computerLive recording of the world premier, performed by Garth Knox (viola d'amore) and Karlheinz Essl (live-electronics) at REM/SE Bludenz, Austria on 24 Nov 2000.
"da braccio" not only offer the listener the fruit of a fully-seasoned interactive computer musician and composer, but also that of an enormously experienced instrumentalist, and in so doing opens up another can of worms in today's classical music world: do we allow (yes, this is really a question for some) improvisation, or is it a taboo, as it is for so many musical thinkers. Karlheinz Essl's and Garth Knox's interaction is finely conceived and beautifully executed...
2000-11-2412 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslThe Untempered Piano (2000) - interactive sound installation for J. S. BachThe Untempered Piano is an interactive sound installation that has been created by Karlheinz Essl for the Johann Sebastian Bach exhibition at the Museum of Technology in Vienna, Austria in 2000.
Info: http://www.essl.at/works/untempered_piano.html
By clicking with the mouse on the colored circles and the piano keyboard on the computer screen, the user can compose an individual version of this infinite piece.
This infinite piece is being composed in realtime due to user interaction. Written in Max/MSP, it takes advantage of compositional algorithms that have been developed by Karlheinz Essl since the middle 1980s...
2000-04-0904 min
New Music by Karlheinz EsslOh tiempo tus pirámides (1989) - for chamber orchestraAn composition for chamber orchestra, premiered by Ensemble Modern (conducted by Hans Zender) at Musikprotokoll in Graz on Oct 6th, 1990.
This piece was composed with the aid of Gottfried Michael Koenig's composition program PR1.
Für seine Arbeit an der Komposition Oh tiempo tus pirámides scheint sich Karlheinz Essl jener Sekte, von deren Verschwinden aus der Bibliothek von Babel Jorge Luis Borges erzählt, erinnert zu haben. Einer jener Buchstabenkombinationen, die im Chaos dieser unbegreiflich großen Bibliothek gefunden worden waren, den vier Worten "O Zeit, deine Pyramiden", verdankt das Werk seinen Namen. Während Borges' Sekte dem Schauer vor d...
1990-10-0617 min