Frank Schwemmer

Portrait of Frank Schwemmer

Frank Schwemmer (* 1961 in Berlin ) is a German composer and singer.

Life

He received his first musical training in 1964 (violin, piano). From 1978 he gave his first concerts as a guitarist, violinist and singer. After graduating from high school in 1980, he began studying school music at the Berlin University of the Arts . He has been creating chamber music compositions since 1979, during which time he completed private composition studies in Berlin and Vienna. Schwemmer has been a freelance composer and singer since 1983. He is married to the painter Irene Suhr .

His works found their way to numerous stages at home and abroad, such as the German State Opera on the Rhine, the Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe, the Norwegian National Opera Oslo, the Zurich Opera House, the Komische Oper Berlin, the Erfurt Theater, and others. Frank Schwemmer's compositional work focuses on vocal music.

Prizes: 2nd prize, composition competition for a large biblical opera by the EKBO consistory (1988), scholarship from the Käthe Dorsch Foundation, special prize at the Gasag / Neukölln Opera composition competition in 1997, award of the Mendelssohn siblings - Medal 2014 by the Berlin Choir Association.

His works have been published by Boosey & Hawkes , Carus-Verlag , Berliner Chormusik-Verlag / Edition Musica Rinata and Verlag Neue Musik.

Works

Operas

1986 Nebuchadnezzar (UA Lindenkirche Berlin )
2000 Der kleine Muck (Premiere 2001 Berlin Chamber Opera)
2001 Angela - A National Opera (Premiere 2002 Neuköllner Oper Berlin)
2004 The rider with the wind in his hair (WP 2005 Komische Oper Berlin )
2007 Medea Voices, chamber opera based on the novel by Christa Wolf, for six solos (S, S, Ms, T, T, Bar) and chamber orchestra (commissioned work: Radialsystem V , Volkert Uhde, Jochen Sandig , premier October 2007 ibid)
2008 Robin Hood, adventure opera in 15 pictures. Libretto: Michael Frowin , for eleven solos, chamber orchestra, children's choir, male choir (commissioned for the Komische Oper Berlin )
2012 Treasure Island, pirate opera in 3 acts. Text: Michael Frowin. 14 solos, orchestra, male choir. (Commissioned for the Zurich Opera House )
2014 Kitchen Opera , mobile opera for children from 3 years. Text: Margrit Duerr. For solo soprano, solo bass and solo violin, as well as various percussion - kitchen instruments (commissioned by the Lübeck Pocket Opera )

2016 Macbeth, great choral opera for mixed choirs, solo soprano, solo baritone, chamber orchestra, percussions. (Commissioned by: Cantus Domus ) Premiere December 2016

Vocal works (selection)

1995 In lectulo meo, three song motets for five- to twelve-part choir (commissioned by Ars nova Ensemble Berlin, Prof. Peter Schwarz)

1999 As withered in the sky distant gardens, five pieces for male quartet based on texts by Rainer Maria Rilke (commissioned by Atrium Ensemble Berlin)

2001 So give me a kiss, folk song arrangements for five-part mixed choir

2002 Even though the hunter had shot, folksong arrangements for a five-part mixed choir

2003 Grieve not, three pieces for female choir, based on texts by James Joyce (commissioned by the Berliner Mädchenchor, Sabine Wüsthoff)

2004 Magnificat , for two solo sopranos and choir (alternative: speaker, commission: Ars nova Ensemble Berlin, Prof. Peter Schwarz)

2005 The Frog King, fairy tale oratorio for male quintet (with an actor)

2005 Psalm 31 , for mixed choir in different languages, for mixed choir (commissioned by Lilienfelder Cantorei , Klaus-Martin Bresgott )

2006 Abbey road, the complete Beatles album, a cappella, for male quartet (arranged for the Atrium Ensemble Berlin), premier May 2008

2009 What I wanted, three Eichendorff monologues for four to eight-part male ensemble; for Klaus-Martin Bresgott and the Vocalconsort Berlin

2010 Tomorrow Lord I am with you, three chorale motets for eight-part mixed choir (S, A, T, B); based on texts by Thomas Bernhard and from the Book of Job, composed on behalf of Klaus-Martin Bresgott for the Lilienfelder Cantorei

2010 Preces et responses , four-part liturgy for four-part mixed choir a cappella, commissioned by Stefan Schuck for the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 18, 2010 in the church at Hohenzollernplatz Berlin

2010 This is the day God made for four to eight-part a cappella choir; based on a text by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert , commissioned by Stefan Schuck for the Festival of Lessons and Carols on December 18, 2010 in the church at Hohenzollernplatz Berlin

2011 You are my sleep, musical triptych for 8-part choir or soloist ensemble. Based on poems by Christian Lehnert and Rainer Maria Rilke for the Athesinus Consort Berlin On behalf of the cultural office of the Council of the EKD

2012 The Burning Bush , 3 motets for 4-5 part mixed choir a cappella, based on poems by Christian Lehnert (commissioned by: Lilienfelder Cantorei, Klaus Martin Bresgott)

2012 Im Leuchtfeuer , 2 pieces for 5-part female ensemble based on texts by Rose Ausländer

2013 In the evening, in the morning , choral fantasy for mixed choir, soloist quartet and speaking choir based on the poem cycle of the same name by Christian Lehnert. (Commissioned by Cantus Domus Young Choir Berlin)

2014 Spruchmotette, for 12-part mixed choir, alto saxophone and percussion based on texts by Martin Luther King and Martin Luther (commissioned by Athesinus Consort Berlin , Klaus-Martin Bresgott). The middle movement is the chorale fantasy about the song by Martin Luther Out of deep need I scream to you

2014 Winde wehn, ships go , 6 songs about leaving and arriving, folksong arrangements for mixed choir a cappella, premier 2017 by the Rundfunkchor Berlin and Bancanta, conducted by Gijs Leenaars and Tobias Walenciak.

2015 Flucht , motet for double choir and percussion, composed for the RIAS Chamber Choir and the Junge Kantorei Hermannswerder. Commissioned by: Hoffbauer Foundation Potsdam.

2018 alfabet , choir fantasy for 19 vocal soloists and percussion, commissioned and composed for the Vocalconsort Berlin for its 15th anniversary. Based on texts from the long poem alfabet by Inger Christensen UA on February 22nd, 2019 in Radialsystem V, Berlin, conducted by Ralf Sochaczewsky

Other works (selection)

1988 Cantata I for mezzo-soprano, five cellos, double bass and chamber choir
1991 The ball is round for the Bremen Dance Theater
1993 8 gallows songs based on texts by Christian Morgenstern , for soloist quartet, string orchestra and piano
1996 Cantata II for soprano, four cellos, double bass and chamber choir
2000 Monocantus for violoncello and piano (commissioned by Athesinus Consort )
2006 Liebes-Lied for mezzo-soprano and string quartet after R.-M. Rilke
2006 season, cantata to mark the opening of a theater season, for four solos (soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass-baritone), choir, six actors, chamber orchestra (two trumpets, solo violin, clarinet in Bb, bassoon, percussion), commissioned work: Theater Freiberg, Premiere June 2007
2006 two pieces for mezzo-soprano and vibraphone, based on texts by Mascha Kaléko
2006 Psalm 31 (miserere) for four to eight-part mixed choir (S, A, T, B); based on texts from the 31st Psalm in various languages.
WP April 9, 2006 by Lilienfelder Cantorei, directed by Klaus-Martin Bresgott
2007 Ode to the cat for soprano and double bass, text: Pablo Neruda , premier August 2007, Leipzig
2010 Fantasy for a strong angel for mezzo-soprano and instrumental quartet (piano, clarinet in Bb, violin, cello). Based on texts from the Revelation of John . For Natalie Miller, commissioned by the church in Berlin-Wartenberg.
2010 Tomorrow Lord I am with you, 3 choral motets for 8-part mixed choir (S, A, T, B). Based on texts by Thomas Bernhard and from the book Job (commissioned by Lilienfelder Cantorei, Klaus Martin Bresgott)
2012 Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten, chamber music poetry for 3 trombones and percussion
2015 From the Blackness of Silence , cantata for solos (S, A, T, B), mixed choir, chamber orchestra (strings, 2 oboes, 2 trumpets, 2 bassoons, percussion) and organ. At the end of the Second World War, commissioned work: Bach Society Berlin, Cornelius Häußermann
2017 Our God , cantata for solos (S, A, T, B), mixed choir, string quintet, 3 oboes, and organ on the Luther song A solid castle is our god . On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Commissioned by: Bach Society Berlin, Cornelius Häußermann
2017 Minotaurus - half my brother , symphonic scenes, for solo mezzo-soprano (Ariadne), solo baritone (Asterion - the Minotaur), mixed choir and large orchestra (commissioned by: Junge Ensemble Berlin, Vinzenz Weissenburger)
2018 God is present , motet cantata for large mixed choir, mixed chamber choir, solo mezzo-soprano, brass ensemble, strings, piano, organ and percussion. Composed for the choirs of the Evangelical Church District Teltow - Zehlendorf. Commissioned by the convention of church musicians of the Evangelical Church District Teltow-Zehlendorf in the Evangelical Church Berlin - Brandenburg - Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO)
2019 The flowing light , motet cantata based on texts by Mechthild von Magdeburg and Marie Luise Kaschnitz , for large mixed choir, mixed chamber choir, solo mezzo-soprano, brass ensemble, strings, piano, organ and percussion. Composed for the choirs and instrumental ensembles of the Evangelical Church District Spandau, on behalf of the Convention of Church Musicians of the Evangelical Church District Spandau in the Evangelical Church Berlin - Brandenburg - Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO)

Phonogram publications

Frank Schwemmer: Mother-of-pearl butterfly. Contemporary Choral Music for mixed choir a cappella. Athesinus Consort Berlin , Klaus-Martin Bresgott , Carus 83.464, Deutschlandfunk Kultur , 4009350834644
Various works on the CDs: Don't worry / Uraltes Wehen / Meine Seele, mein Gott / der Lilienfelder Cantorei, as well as Luther's songs with the Athesinus Consort Berlin , Carus Verlag
Atrium Ensemble: As if distant gardens withered in the heavens. Cycle of the same name for male quartet based on texts by Rainer Maria Rilke

To Angela - A National Opera

This opera by Schwemmer (music) and Michael Frowin (libretto) was based on motifs from the book “The Girl and Power” by Evelyn Roll. The world premiere by the Neukölln Opera with Kathrin Unger (soprano) in the title role took place on August 18, 2002 in the Reichstag underground station, which was then still under construction . The musical direction was Hans-Peter Kirchberg , the direction was Robert Lehmeier . The set was designed by Tom Musch.

Musical forms

An ensemble of piano, percussion, cellos and saxophones and the eight-member choir not only develop considerable sound volumes, but also large soundscapes. There are memories of Kurt Weill's “Little Threepenny Music”, Woody Herman's “Four Brothers” saxophone setting, and Debussy movements. The soloists have to cope with both new speakers and native songs in rapid rhythmic changes.

content

It is about Angela Merkel's unprecedented political career up to her election as federal chairman of the CDU in 2000. It shows the inner workings of a party that is shaped by entrenched structures of male power politics and, even in a crisis, is more willing to be the potential bearer of hope in up to to dismantle there incomparable way as to give up one's own benefice. In a dramatically conventional way, realistic and yet fictional images show stations in Angela M.'s career in confrontation with the characters Stoiber, Schäuble, Glos, Westerwelle and Koch and make them heard.

literature

Evelyn Roll : The girl and the power. Angela Merkel's democratic awakening. Rowohlt Verlag, Berlin.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Schwemmer, Frank
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	German singer and composer
DATE OF BIRTH	1961
PLACE OF BIRTH	Berlin