Gander studied at the Provincial Conservatoire in Tyrolean State Conservatory in Innsbruck. He studies were marked with periodic meetings with Beat Furrer in Graz and the Electro Acoustic Studio at UPIC in Paris as well as the Swiss Centre for Computer Music in Zurich.
Gander’s compositional voice is marked by his contrarian style. Forgoing classical aesthetics, Gander opts for something more akin to a heavy metal show than a chamber concert. While his orchestrations appear to use the classical instruments, his works bare the influence of his attendance at many metal and rap shows as well as his interest in electronics.
In his work 'Take Five for Three,' he forgoes the double bass and opts for electric double bass and two percussionists eliminating any pretense of a classical performance. I chose this work from the CD Polyglot, produced and commissioned by the Ensemble Moderne ensemble for Paul Canon. Paul notes how his relationship with Gander has pushed him to pursue new musical ideas and compositional styles specifically in regards to this recording project as he was pushed to find a way to incorporate this work into the narrative of the CD. Take Five for Three closes the CD and acts as a bookend or foil to the opening work which features double bass and voice.
This work also pushes the boundaries of ‘genre,’ inciting pause when trying to categorize where it fits. Paul Canon, in his interview about the project, mentions having difficulty fitting it in with the arc of the CD but stressing its importance because of what it does for the solo bass repertoire. Specifically, Canon mentions the collision of worlds when performing works by Gander. Ensemble Modern has performed at metal shows where both audiences from the metal scene and the contemporary classical scene are at the same venue exploring each others arts.
- Stephen Jones
Stephen! I really enjoyed your blog! I just listened to the Take Five for Three recording! It's so interesting how he uses somewhat traditional instruments to produce non-traditional music. I also found his use of the percussionists interesting in the recording. I think the use of instruments, even though it was an electric bass in this example provide a really unique and full sound to the metal genre.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog! It's very interesting to me as for pianist to see what abilities other instruments have. Bernhard Gander does it in a very cool way! I love an energy and the techniques he uses at his pieces. It's a discovery for me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete-Diana
Thank you for introducing me to Gander's work! I really like his style and the way he blurs genres. I'm curious to know what his bass clarinet stuff sounds like - he's got one piece for solo contrabass clarinet! I can only imagine what kinds of wild stuff he has happening there!
ReplyDelete- Cameron DeLuca
Thanks for sharing, Stephen! I love that Gander takes influence from metal when he composes. I am personally a huge fan of metal, so it's interesting to hear that kind of sound in a more "classical" setting. I also think it's great that his pieces are performed at metal festivals, this could definitely help to attract more people to the classical music world. Awesome! - Noah Ward
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen !
ReplyDeleteSomething that I really loved on your blog is that as you said this pieces want to push the boundaries of genre. I liked the fusion of double bass and electric double bass. Many times we categorize the instruments as an specific genre and this pieces shows us that the combination takes away that idea.
Also I loved the visual aspect with the way that they chose to wear in a “classical” concert.
I am not familiar with this style but I enjoyed the piece.
Thanks for sharing!
Citlalmina
Hi Stephen! This composer was cool to learn about. I like that he doesn’t push the boundaries in genre. Also, the piece you link was sooo good! Thanks for sharing! -Lydia Young
ReplyDeleteThis composer's approach to boundaries within genres was super fun to learn about! I especially loved the classical/metal fusion. Very cool. -Zack T
ReplyDelete