Life and Work

About Albert Breier

Biography

Biografie

• Piano with Roland Keller (pianist in concerts with music by Maurizio Kagel’s pupils).
• Composition with Jürg Baur (attends Darmstädter Ferienkursen 1984).
• Philosophy and musicology

• Studies the work of Morton Feldman.
• Extensive study of classical Chinese painting, especially of its temporal structure. Connected with this more far-reaching thoughts about cultural theory.

Compositions
“Verbundene Berge” for orchestra;
“Wege des Wanderers” for large chamber orchestra;
Clarinet quintet;
Piano piece V;
Seven poems by Oskar Pastior for soprano and piano;
II. String quartet

• Continuation of the study of 15th century vocal polyphony begun in Cologne. Becomes interested in the musical traditions of Russia and Georgia.
• Since 1998 develops and puts into practice a new manner of notation.

Compositions
Requiem for 12-voice mixed choir a cappella;
“Feld und Leuchten” for chamber orchestra;
Sonorous Forest of Remembrance for 18 string instruments, bells and Glockenspiel;
Composition for 3 flutes, 3 clarinets and 3 horns;
String sextet;
Piano quartet;
Trio for oboe, cello and piano;
Duo I and II for cello and piano;
Piano piece VI

• Concerts in Berlin, activities as pianist, release of CDs at NCA and edition laura. CD production of the work Der Weg und die Zeit at Radio Berlin-Brandenburg, released in 2007.
• Since 2000 increasingly active as writer: Publication of a comprehensive comparative study on Chinese painting and European music “Die Zeit des Sehens und der Raum des Hörens. Ein Versuch über chinesische Malerei und europäische Musik” (Publisher: Verlag J.B.Metzler 2002).
• Lectures at Universität der Künste Berlin.
• Concerts and lectures among others at the Hochschule für Musik “Hans Eisler” Berlin, at the Goethe-Institut Prague, at the “Tage für Neue Musik Darmstadt”.
• Broadcasts about person and work.

Compositions
Mass for 24 voice mixed choir a cappella;
Large Landscape I and III for orchestra;
“Licht im Vorübergehen” for orchestra;
“Nebelatem” for orchestra;
“Der Weg und die Zeit” for sextet;
IV. String quartet;
String trio

• Projected books: comprehensive studies on German poetry of the first half of the 20th century; on the role of mathematics in occidental culture etc.
• Reviews and essays on art theory published in several magazines.
• Scholar at the Deutsche Akademie Villa Massimo at Casa Baldi (2013).

Seit 2014 Dresden (until 2019) and Berlin

• Publications: “Zahl und Moral. Ein Entwurf” (publisher: Passagen Verlag, Wien 2014); “Walter Zimmermann. Nomade in den Zeiten” (publisher: Wolke Verlag, Hofheim 2014).
• In Progress: Book about Leos Janácek

Compositions
“Blick auf die schwebende Stadt” for orchestra;
Trio for viola, horn and harp;
“Stabat mater” for soprano and cello;
“Himmelsstufen” for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello and percussion;
“Chant d’en haut” for flute, clarinet and violin;
“Salve Regina” for soprano and cello;
“INNSBRUCK” for alto and string orchestra
“Landscape III” for orchestra
etc.