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Gerhard Präsent (born 21 June 1957) is an Austrian composer, conductor and academic teacher.


Professional career

Born in
Graz Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...
, Präsent studied from 1976 at the Musikhochschule Graz, composition with Iván Erőd and conducting with Milan Horvat. He graduated in 1982 in composition and in 1985 in conducting, in both subjects with distinction. He then taught at the institute. Until 1999 he held a composers' workshop, responsible for 48 concert programs. From 1986 to 1992 he was an assistant to Erőd, and also to Horvat for the orchestra. In 1992 he was appointed professor for
music theory Music theory is the study of theoretical frameworks for understanding the practices and possibilities of music. ''The Oxford Companion to Music'' describes three interrelated uses of the term "music theory": The first is the "Elements of music, ...
,
musical form In music, ''form'' refers to the structure of a musical composition or musical improvisation, performance. In his book, ''Worlds of Music'', Jeff Todd Titon suggests that a number of organizational elements may determine the formal structure of a ...
, analysis, conducting, and chamber music for strings.Gerhard Präsent
Komponisten und Interpreten im Burgenland
in 1988 Präsent founded the
ALEA Ensemble The ALEA Ensemble is a chamber music ensemble founded in 1988 in Graz for contemporary music, playing in variable formation including the ALEA Quartet. History The ensemble was founded in 1988 by composer and conductor Gerhard Präsent and his wi ...
, an ensemble for contemporary music, and has been its artistic director. He was vice president of the ''Steirischer Tonkünstlerbund'' (Styrian Tone Arts Association) from 2003 and has been its president since 2005.Gerhard Praesent FINALIST OF THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMPOSITION 2010
composition2010.weebly.com
He is married to the violinist Sigrid Präsent, the first violinist of the ALEA Ensemble.


Selected works

Präsent has composed mostly instrumental music, both chamber music and for orchestra, as well as songs and sacred choral music. Instrumental ''Trio intricato'' for piano trio (1983–1985) was performed and recorded in Munich by the
Bayerischer Rundfunk (; "Bavarian Broadcasting"), shortened to BR (), is a public broadcasting, public-service radio and television broadcaster, based in Munich, capital city of the Bavaria, Free State of Bavaria in Germany. BR is a member organization of the ARD (b ...
on 2 May 2011. ''Himmelslicht'' (Heavenly Light), a concerto for trumpet, brass and percussion (1986–1987), was premiered at the festival steirischer herbst in 1987. ''Marcia funebre'' for chamber ensemble (1992) was first performed at the World Music Days 2002 of the International Society for Contemporary Music in Hong Kong. In 1996 Präsent honoured his teacher, composing ''Erödiana (Capriccio Erödico)'' for bassoon (or cello) and piano. The Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Society of the friends of music in Vienna) commissioned ''Chaconne'' for 14 instruments (1996) and performed it in the Wiener Musikverein in 1997. ''Partita sagrada op. 60'' for chamber orchestra (2009) on a commission of the ensemble Kontrapunkte was premiered at the Musikverein on 6 December 2010, played by the ensemble conducted by Peter Keuschnig. Vocal Präsent wrote ''Lieder aus der Hütte'' (Songs From the Hut) for soprano, flute, oboe, viola and cello in 1979 on five texts of Martin Krusche. He composed ''Missa minima'' for four parts a cappella in 2001. Commissioned by the Steirischer Sängerbund (Styrian Choir Association), he wrote a ''Pater noster'' “ for four parts
a cappella Music performed a cappella ( , , ; ), less commonly spelled acapella in English, is music performed by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...
, first performed in 2007 at ''Styria Cantat I'', and ''Psalm LXI'' for "Styria Cantat IV" in 2010.Styria Cantat IV
saengerbund.chormusik.at 2007
Orchestra * „Symphonic Fragment (Half Symphony)“ (XXVI:1991/1992), Austrian encouragement award 1992 * „Scherzo – ma non troppo scherzando“ (XXV:1991), WP Vienna Concert Hall 1994 * „Hermitage“ – Concerto for Small Orchestra (XXVIII:1992/1993), commissioned by the Austrian Chamber symphony for the Vienna Concert Hall 1993 * „Configurations – Three States for Piano And Orchestra“ (piano concerto) – (XI:1981/1982), WP ISCM-World Music Festival in the festival „Steirischer Herbst“ 1982 in Graz * „Song“ for high soprano and small orchestra (IX:1981) – English lyrics by the composer * „Heavens Light“ – concerto for trumpet and orchestra (XXIb:1986–2007) – WP Steirischer Herbst/Krieglach 1987 with brass and percussion, orchestral version 2007 * „Music for big band and orchestra“ (VIII:1980) – WP International Week Graz 1981 Chamber orchestra * „La Tâche“ for string orchestra (XXXIb:1995) – Franz-Joseph-Reinl-Award 1996 * „Chaconne“ for fourteen instruments“ (XXXIII:1996/1997) – Commissioned by the „Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde“ Vienna, WP Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien, 1997 * „Partita sagrada op. 60“ for chamber orchestra (LX:2009/2010) – commissioned by the Ensemble Kontrapunkte, WP Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien, 2010 * „Marcia funebre“ for chamber ensemble (XXVII:1992/rev. 1997) – WP ISCM-World Music Festival 2002 in Hong Kong Solo works * „Solo“ for a woodwind player (fl, ob, cl, sax, bsn ad lib.) (VI:1979), Doblinger/Vienna * „The long run“ – improvisations for instrument and tape (XII:1982–1983/1995) * „Sonata regina per S. F.“ for violin solo (XXII:1987) * „A Rayas“ for violoncello solo (XLIII:2001/2002) * „Profondo“ for double bass (and piano ad lib.) (XVII:1985/1986) * „Toccata“ for piano (XVI:1985/1986) * „Bagatelle (avant et après)“ and "Bagatelle #2 (hier et demain)" for piano (LXIII:2011) * „Encore Piece“ for accordion solo (or piano solo) and audience (XXXIV:1997) * „Dies Irae“ for organ (LII:2006) – also version for violin and organ (2013) * „Praeludium and Toccata“ for guitar solo (XVII:1985/1986) Strings * „Canzona op. 50“ for violin and violoncello (L:2004) * „Four Dances for Two Violins“ (XXIV:1989/1990) * „Sounds Of Wood“ (The Makers) – trio for vl, vla, vc (XXXVII:1998) * „La Tâche“ – 2nd string quartet (XXXIa:1994/1995) – also version for string orchestra (1995) * „Missa“ for string quartet (XLII:2001) * „Big Apple“ – 4th string quartet (LVII:2008) * „Big Ben“ for string trio (LXVI:2012) * „Sonata del Gesù“ for violin and piano (XXXV:1997–1999), Theodor-Körner-Preis 1997 * „Rondino“ for violin and piano (IV:1978/1979) * „Sonatina Gemella“ for violin and piano (XIX:1986) * „Arietta ritmica“ for violine (viola) and piano (XV:1984) * „Sonata al dente“ for violoncello and piano in one movement (XXIII:1988–1990) * „Trio intricato“ for violin, violoncello and piano (XIV:1983–1985) * „Tête-à-tête-à-tête“ for violin, violoncello and piano (or accordion) (2nd trio – XXXb:1995/1998) * „Four Melodic Pieces“ for violin, violoncello and piano (3rd trio – XLVII:2004) * „Extravaganza“ for violin, violoncello and piano – 4th trio (LXVII:2012/13) Winds / mixed * „Heavens Light“ – concerto for trumpet, brass and percussion (XXIa:1986–1987) – WP Steirischer Herbst/Krieglach 1987 * „PEGAU“ and „Petite Symphonie du Pégaü“ resp. for wind orchestra and wind quartet resp., various versions (XXXIXd:2000/2004) * „Rhapsody“ for brass quintet (LVIII:2008) * „Fanfare“ for brass ensemble or brass quintet (VII:1980/1999) * „Fanfare“ for saxophone quartet (LXVIII:2013) * „Quintet“ for fl, ob, cl, hn & bsn (X:1981) * „Hard Rock“ for five clarinet instruments (incl. bhn und bcl) (XXXVIII:1999/2000) * „Marcia funebre“ – version for quintet: fl, cl, pn, vl, vc (XXVIIb:1992/1997) * „Extravaganza“ for tp, tbn & pn (LXVII:2012) * „Arietta ritmica“ for melodic instrument (rec, fl, cl, tp) and piano (XV:1984), Doblinger Vienna * „Erödiana (Capriccio Erödico)“ for bassoon (violoncello) and piano (XXXII:1996) * „Twin´s Suite“ for flute (rec, vl) and guitar (XVIb:1985) Songs * „Five Melodies“ (English, German, French lyrics) for voice solo (XXIX:1993/1994) * „Half-Dark Songs“ for middle voice and piano quartet (words by Gerhard Präsent, David Präsent) (IL:2004), versions for high voice/middle voice and piano (ILb/c: 2004) * „Song“ for soprano, violine and piano (IXb:1981/1990), English lyrics by the composer, originally for soprano and small orchestra * „Songs From the Hut“ for soprano, fl, ob, vla & vc, words by Martin Krusche (V:1979) Choral Works * „Phantasy on a Bach-Choral“ („ Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten“) for four-part choir a cappella (and organ ad lib.), (XX:1986/1987) * „Missa minima“ for four voices a cappella (XLI:2001), commissioned by „Ambitus“ * „Pater noster“ for one or four voices a cappella (LIV:2006), commissioned by the „Steirischer Sängerbund“ for Styria cantat I * „Psalm“ fur three upper voices and baritone (LXI:2010), commissioned by the „Steirischer Sängerbund“ for Styria cantat IV * „Oh Tannenbaum, du trägst ein´ grünen Zweig“ for four-part mixed choir (XLb:2001) * „s´Geld“ for four-part mixed choir a cappella, after Johann Nestroy (XLa:2001) * „Fine Sign“ for four-part mixed choir a cappella, (LIX:2009), commissioned by the „Steirischer Sängerbund“ for „Volkslied im neuen Kleid“ * „Der kleine Vampir“ (The Little Vampire) for six-part upper choir a cappella (LXII:2011), commissioned by the „Singakademie Graz-Liebenau“ Arrangements *
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov. At the time, his name was spelled , which he romanized as Nicolas Rimsky-Korsakow; the BGN/PCGN transliteration of Russian is used for his name here; ALA-LC system: , ISO 9 system: .. (18 March 1844 – 2 ...
Concerto for trombone – arranged for trombone and Orchestra (Vb:1979) – (originally trombone and wind orchestra) *
Antonio Salieri Antonio Salieri (18 August 17507 May 1825) was an Italian composer and teacher of the classical period (music), classical period. He was born in Legnago, south of Verona, in the Republic of Venice, and spent his adult life and career as a subje ...
„De Profundis“ (Psalm) – arranged for choir and small orchestra (XIIIb:1983) – (originally choir and organ) * „ Rückert-Lieder“ by
Gustav Mahler Gustav Mahler (; 7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911) was an Austro-Bohemian Romantic music, Romantic composer, and one of the leading conductors of his generation. As a composer he acted as a bridge between the 19th-century Austro-German tradition and ...
, version for middle voice (baritone, mezzo) and piano quartet (XLIVa-e: 2002/2003) *
Franz Schubert Franz Peter Schubert (; ; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical period (music), Classical and early Romantic music, Romantic eras. Despite his short life, Schubert left behind a List of compositions ...
: „Gesänge des Harfners“ from „Wilhelm Meister“ (Goethe) DV 478–480 – version for baritone and piano quartet (XLVIII:2003/2004) * „Fantasy Quartet“ in D for string quartet (LVa:2007/2008), after piano pieces by W. A. Mozart: 1. Fantasie KV 397, 2. Menuett KV 355, 3. Adagio KV 540, 4. Rondo KV 485 *
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition and proficiency from an early age ...
: „Trios“ in G-Major and Bb-Major resp. for two violins and violoncello, after the Duos KV 423 and 424 (LXVf-g:2012-13) *
Franz Schubert Franz Peter Schubert (; ; 31 January 179719 November 1828) was an Austrian composer of the late Classical period (music), Classical and early Romantic music, Romantic eras. Despite his short life, Schubert left behind a List of compositions ...
: „Trio“ in B-Major D 471, version for two violins and violoncello(LXVb:2012) * "Le Tango (perpétuel" (
Erik Satie Eric Alfred Leslie Satie (born 17 May 18661 July 1925), better known as Erik Satie, was a French composer and pianist. The son of a French father and a British mother, he studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, Paris Conservatoire but was an undi ...
) for two violins and violoncello (LXVe:2012) * „Prelude No.2“ by
George Gershwin George Gershwin (; born Jacob Gershwine; September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937) was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned jazz, popular music, popular and classical music. Among his best-known works are the songs "Swan ...
– arrangement for piano quintet (Xb:1981) – also for piano quartet, and flute, violin, cello & piano resp. * „Three Choral Preludes and Aria“ by
Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (German: Help:IPA/Standard German, �joːhan zeˈbasti̯an baχ ( – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque music, Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety ...
, completed and arranged for string quartet (XLVId:2003/2005): 1.
Jesu, meine Freude "" (; Jesus, my joy) is a hymn in German, written by Johann Franck, with a melody, Zahn number, Zahn No. 8032, by Johann Crüger. The song first appeared in Crüger's hymnal in 1653. The text addresses Jesus as joy and support, versus enem ...
BWV 753, 2. Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten BWV 691, 3. Jesu, meine Zuversicht BWV 728, 4. Aria: Bist du bei mir BWV 508 – also version for string trio * „Nächtlicher Umtrieb“ by Iván Erőd from „Crocodile Songs“ (words: Richard Bletschacher), arranged for baritone and piano quartet (LIb:2005) * „Cinq Chansons cryptiques“ by Kurt Schwertsik after words by Erik Satie op. 50 (1985), a notated interpretation for middle voice and piano quartet (LId:2005) * „The Soldier´s Tale “ by
Igor Stravinsky Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ( – 6 April 1971) was a Russian composer and conductor with French citizenship (from 1934) and American citizenship (from 1945). He is widely considered one of the most important and influential 20th-century c ...
– version for actor (incl. percussion), clarinet, violin and piano, a completion of the original suite by the composer (XXXIX/2:2000) (not yet published due to copyright reasons) *
Béla Bartók Béla Viktor János Bartók (; ; 25 March 1881 – 26 September 1945) was a Hungarian composer, pianist and ethnomusicologist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century; he and Franz Liszt are regarded as Hunga ...
: „Rumaenian Folk Dances“ – version for string quartet (LVb:2005/2006) (due to copyright reasons published only in 2015) * „Zerline ERFURT-Edition“ – revision and publication of (so far) 29 works of the composer (1907–1990) from the manuscripts - for violin and piano and piano solo resp. (2004–2013)


Selected awards

* 1981: Förderungspreis (encouragement award) for music of Graz * 1983: State scholarship for composition * 1984: First prize of the Creditanstalt Wien, for ''Quintett'' * 1992: Förderungspreis (encouragement award) for music of the Republic of Austria for ''Symphonic Fragment'' * 1996: Förderungspreis (encouragement award) for music of the city of Vienna * 1997: Theodor Körner Prize for the ''Sonata del Gesù'' * 2010: Finalist of the "International Music Prize for Excellence in Composition" of National Academy of Music of the State of Colorado * 2011: Honorary Associate of the National Academy of Music (Colorado)


References


External links

*
Gerhard Präsent
music information centre Austria {{DEFAULTSORT:Prasent, Gerhard Austrian male composers Austrian male conductors (music) Academic staff of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz Composers for piano 1957 births Living people Musicians from Graz Theodor Körner Prize recipients 21st-century Austrian conductors (music) 21st-century Austrian male musicians