Beat Furrer is a prominent Swiss-born, Austrian-residing composer and conductor, renowned for his significant contributions to contemporary classical music. Born on December 6, 1954, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Furrer developed an early interest in music, eventually moving to Vienna to pursue his passion. There, he studied composition with Roman Haubenstock-Ramati and conducting with Otmar Suitner at the University of Music and Performing Arts.

Emerging as a vital force in avant-garde music, Furrer's works are characterized by a unique blend of complexity and expressiveness, often exploring the intricacies of timbre and texture. He co-founded the Klangforum Wien in 1985, a leading ensemble for contemporary music, which he conducted for a decade, thus cementing his dual role in the performance and creation of new music. Furrer’s compositions range from solo and chamber music to orchestral works and operas, with a repertoire that includes pieces such as "Die Blinden," "Narcissus," and "Wüstenbuch."

Furrer has been honored with numerous awards for his work, and he serves as a professor of composition at the Graz University of Art and Design, where he continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of contemporary composers. His music regularly features in major European festivals, and his influence extends well beyond composition through his commitment to cultivating an innovative and forward-thinking musical landscape. The works mentioned, such as "Beat Furrer: Enigma (Excerpts)" and "Furrer: Works for Choir & Ensemble," showcase his mastery of vocal and instrumental textures, underscoring his status as a defining voice in modern classical music.

Genres

21st Century Classical

Austrian Contemporary Classical

Avant-garde

Contemporary Classical

Related Artists

Enno Poppe

Franck Bedrossian

Mark Andre

Pierluigi Billone

Michael Jarrell

Klangforum Wien

Marco Stroppa

Alberto Posadas

Matthias Pintscher

Stefano Gervasoni

Salvatore Sciarrino

Isabel Mundry

Latest Release

Nuun

Beat Furrer•

Klangforum Wien

Ep - 6 Tracks - Released November 19, 2024