Benutzer:Marcroelans/Falko Steinbach

Falko Steinbach, Kulturzentrum Lindlar 2012

Falko Steinbach (* 30. September 1957 in Aachen, Germany). Falko Steinbach is a German/American pianist, composer and piano pedagogue. In 1999 Falko Steinbach joined the music faculty at the University of New Mexico as professor of piano and became a full professor in 2010 where he continues to teach piano and composition. In addition to his German citizenship he received the US citizenship in 2011. He currently lives with his second wife Emily and his three children Tankred Noel, Ronja Magdalena and Sebastian Miles in Albuquerque, New Mexico - U.S.A. and in Lindlar, Germany.

Biography

Childhood and Education

Steinbach was born in Aachen, Germany as the first of four children. His father, Dr. Dipl. Ing. Hans Horst Steinbach was a chemist and his mother Martha, born Gawellek, was a chemical technical assistant and later stayed home with the children. The family moved to Leverkusen when Falko was two years old because his father had accepted a position at the Bayer company as a researcher, in which function he developed more than two hundred patents. When Falko was five years old the family moved nearby to Bergisch Gladbach, Schildgen where he went to elementary school. Due to his father’s career abroad in South Africa and South America, the family very often hosted guests from all over the world. Falko’s exceptional musical talent was discovered very early at the age of four. His father, a descent pianist and violin player, first taught Falko piano at that time. When Falko was six years old, he studied with Grete Selle who was a piano teacher in Leverkusen. When he was seven years old he started composing small pieces such as minuets for piano the style of W. A. Mozart. At the age of ten he visited the Freiherr vom Stein Gymnasium in Leverkusen. Under the supervision of his music teacher Manfred Klink, he composed his first three - movement sonatina for violin andat twelve years old. This same year, Steinbach had his first public appearance as a solo pianist in Horrem near Cologne. In 1976 at age seventeen, he accepted a position as choir director at the Catholic parish Herz Jesu Schildgen in Bergisch Gladbach where he composed several masses and a piano concerto. Concurrently, Steinbach also attended the Rheinische Musikschule in Cologne where he studied theory and composition with Georg Kröll. This same year he received a first prize in the piano competition “Jugend musiziert” in Bergisch. Before his graduation from the Gymnasium in 1976, he became a “Jungstudent” at theKöln and studied piano performance with Prof. Tiny Wirtz, for whom he was a teaching assistant for one year, graduated with distinction and completed his solowith a Konzertexamen (equivalent to a DMA). In this time he also added solo and collaborative studies with important teachers and musicians such as: Tatjana Nikolajewa, Peter Feuchtwanger, Boris Pergamenschikov, members of the Amadeus Quartet, and later in 1991 with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Shortly thereafter in 1986-1987, Steinbach pursued advanced postdoctoral studies in solo performance for piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with Craig Sheppard, while he was a teaching assistant of Peter Feuchtwanger. His time in London was one of the most significant experiences in his musical life.

Performer, Composer an Teacher

As a performer, Falko Steinbach has an extended performance career with solo performances and recordings in America, Europe and Asia. He isinvited to perform at various international music festivals and plays about thirty concerts a year as a soloist, occasionally with an orchestra and as a collaborative pianist dating back to the early 1980’s.Many articles praise Steinbach for his unique, individual and deep, almost philosophical ‘meta’ approach to repertoryfrom Bach to contemporary piano music. Because contemporaryis a significant passion regarding his repertory, he frequently presents new works to audiences in lecture concerts. Also,Steinbach has premiered numerous contemporary works, some of which have been dedicated to him. Steinbach, who is also a Steinway artist, has made fifteen compact disc recordings with Ambitus, Edition Antes, Centaur Records and Navona Records as well as radio recordings with the WDR and NDR. He was the first performer to record many original works by various composers like H. Eisler, P. Dessau, K. Schwaen, his own works and many others. He also has on German and US radio and television as a performer. He himself defines artistry to be driven by his proactive engagement for the humanities against discrimination. As such, he has performed many benefit concerts. Additionally, proceeds from one of the CDs “Klassik für” containing works of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin and Bartók, were donated to the Casa- Children’s Aid of Guatemala and Amnesty International. Additionally, the proceeds of his CD “Humanity Classics”financed by the Landschaftsverband Rheinland piano concertos from Mozart and Schnittke were donated to a house for women with disabilities, Malko Scharkovo, in Bulgaria.

When he was a teenager, Falko Steinbach wanted to be a pianist and performer. Though composition was always his special interest since a young age, Steinbach was twenty-four years old by the time he decided to formally study theory and composition at the Musikhochschule Prof. Manfred Reiter, and Prof. Roland Löbner. Steinbachhis first serious piece, “Suite in Three Movements,” for piano in 1982. He finished his theory studies with aDegree at the Musikhochschule, Köln. Since that time he has continued developing his autodidacticusing dodecaphonic elements, rotational systems and synaesthetic- and jazz-influenced patterns. Steinbach believes that “to study composition with a teacher is a contradiction in itself. Nowadays it is absurd to talk about tonality or atonality. Both terms are redundant if you perceive music through rotational systems, movement and emotions. There are no rules and fashions for me”. In the, his oeuvre encompasses almost fifty compositions, including one opera entitled “Berlin Suite,” his church music cycle “Apocalypse,” numerous major cycles for choir and various ensembles,music, piano ensembles and music for solo piano. Many of his compositions are commissioned works such as his “Agnes Mass” for the 100thanniversary of the church St. Agnes in Cologne in 2002. His compositions were recorded on CD's by: Centaur Records, Antes Edition and Ambitus and Sacra Musica. They have been broadcasted worldwide andin several countries and significant international music festivals in Taiwan, Malaysia, Italy, USA and Germany.

Falko Steinbach is recognized worldwide for his “inexhaustible fantasy,” his “mesmerizing sound” and his sharp understanding of the possibilities of playing piano and understanding its physical, spiritual and mental aspects. According to Steinbach’s motto, “sound is the gate to our emotions – you can see the sound and hear the movements performed on the piano.” In various experimentations on sound, space, time, and movements alongside with many years of composition, performing and teaching, Falko Steinbach intensely explored the affects that music has on the human brain. His cycle of piano etudes “Figures” was subject to two doctoral dissertations. The first was published in 2010 by Taiwanese pianist Shu Ching Cheng at theof Arizona entitled, "The Interdependence of Movement and Sound in all Aspects of Pianoin Falko Steinbach's "Figures"- 17 Choreographic Etudes for Piano (2006.)" The second was published in 2012 by American pianistSchwarzkopf at the University of Oregon entitled, "A Structural Analysis for Performers: Falko's "Figures: 17 Choreographic Etudes for Piano." ’s passion and dedication for artistic and pedagogic work for students are reflected in his 53 piano etudes “Figures,” “Moving,” “Finger Paintings” and “Mirror Visions” as well as in his book “A Compendium of Piano Technique.” As a result, many of his students achieved numerous positions, scholarships, grants, and prizes at piano competitions and universities. Falko Steinbach gave master courses at universities and music festivals in Germany, Italy, USA, Mexico, Taiwan and Malaysia and he was also a juror for many national and international piano competitions.

Honorary Activities

For nine years beginning in 1991, Steinbach was chair and associate chair of “Klang Köln e.V.,” an association for contemporary music in Germany, which he founded in 1991 and which has celebrated its 20thanniversary in Cologne in 2011. Here he worked with many performers and singers like Francoise Groben, Tina von Altenstadt, Anne Schwanewilms and Marlene Mild in addition to composers like Christoph Maria Wagner, Stefan Thomas, Oliver Trötschel and Thomas Reiner. Before this, he had co-founded the “Initiative for the Enrichment of Culture” in Hückeswagen, Germany for musicians, composers and artists in 1987 and was a member of the board of directors for several years. In Brauweiler, he was Artisticof the “Tage Neuer Musik,” 2001 and was also the Artistic Director for the music festival "Streams" 2010 with many composers suchMaurizio Kagel, Kurt Schwaen, Barbara Rettagliati, Massimo Berzolla, Martin Christoph Redel, Alexander Litvinowski, James, Chris Shultis and many others. Since 2004, he has been an Board Member for the concert series of the “der Abtei Brauweiler.” 2009 Falko Steinbach founded the international "Klavierfestival Lindlar" near Cologne of which he is the Artistic Director. The annualhas become a major cultural factor in the region.

Achievements and Recognition

Besides a DAAD scholarship from the German government for Advanced Studies in England in 1986, Steinbach received two grants 1997/ 98 the “Stiftung Kunst und Kultur” of the state Northrhine Westfalia to produce the two compact discs “Six” and “Lieder aus dem Exil,” a WDR produced CD with soprano Marlene Mild. He also received a grant fromUniversity of New Mexico to translate his book, “Klaviertechnisches Kompendium” into the English language in 1999.2006 he received another grant from UNM to publish his “Figures” – 17 Choreographic Etudes for Piano. In 2008 he receivedgrants including a RAC grant from UNM to publish his CD "Figures" with Centaur Records. Falko is a member of GEMA and the American Composers Alliance in New York. Verlag Edmund Bieler, Colognecurrently his publisher.

Pieces

Compositions (May 2014)

Title	Agnes Mass
Instrumentation	5 choirs, 7 trombones, 2 organs, 2 percussionists, recorder quartet, church bells, solo soprano and male speaker
Year	2001
First Performence	1–21–2002, St. Agnes, Cologne; choirs and ensembles St. Agnes, Marlene Mild-soprano, Margret Hoppe-Director
Duration	29:14
Recording	sacramusica
Publisher	none
Manuscript	archive Falko Steinbach
Remarks	commissioned by the parish St. Agnes, Cologne

Title	Slapstick Variations
Instrumentation	2 pianos
Year	1994
Duration	14:03
First Performance	5–10–1996, Belgisches Haus, Cologne; Falko Steinbach and Andreas Wegener-pianos
Recording	ambitus 97887
Publisher	Verlag Edmund Bieler, Cologne
Manuscript	archive Falko Steinbach

Title	Five Birthday Pieces
Instrumentation	piano solo
Year	2000
Duration	10:25
First Performance	4-20-2002 Historic Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales, New Mexico – Version for piano; 6-6-2002, Alte Feuerwache, Cologne – Version for prepared piano; Falko Steinbach-piano
Recording	archive Falko Steinbach for both versions
Publisher	Verlag Edmund Bieler, Cologne

List of CD - Recording (May 2014)

CD	Title
1.	H. Eisler, 3.Sonate; J. Brahms, Fantasies op.116; B. Bartok, Sonate (1926); Falko Steinbach, piano, Ambitus 97862 (1990)
2.	R. Schumann, Sonate op 22; Drei Romanzen op. 28; J. Brahms, Variations op. 9; Falko Steinbach, piano, Ambitus 97882 (1992)
3.	Klassik für Menschenrechte, amnesty international, L.v. Beethoven, Sonata op. 13; J. S. Bach, Two Preludes & Fugues BWV 847 & 858; W.A. Mozart, Sonata KV 309; F. Chopin, Ballade op. 23; B. Bartok, Suite op. 14; Falko Steinbach, piano; Ambitus Best-Nr. 2644916495 A (1995)
4.	C. Debussy, Proses Lyriques; R. Wagner, Wesendonck-Lieder; Anne Schwanewilms, soprano and Falko Steinbach, piano; Ambitus 97982 (1996)
5.	H. Eisler, 44 Lieder aus dem Exil; Marlene Mild, soprano and Falko Steinbach, piano; Ambitus 97843 (1997)
6.	six take, new music for piano; Falko Steinbach, Slapstick Variationen; K. Schwaen, Nocturne Lugubre; T. Medek, Zwischenspiele; S. Thomas, Postludium; C.M. Wagner, “Arabesque”; O. Trötschel, Drei Elegien op. 14; Falko Steinbach, piano; Ambitus 97887 (1997)
7.	Aus der Farbstille, improvisations (Lyrical Transfers) with Falko Steinbach, piano and Marlene Mild, soprano; poetry by Bernd Bohmeier; Verlag und Studio für Hörbuchproduktionen, Beltershausen (1999)
8.	K. Schwaen, Miniaturen, Späte Klavierstücke; Falko Steinbach, piano; Valve – Hearts 2801, LC 02086, Dittrich Verlag, Cologne (2001)
9.	F. Steinbach, Agnesmesse, live recording of the world premiere, Edition Cantio Sacra, Cologne (2002)
10.	Humanity Classics; W.A. Mozart, Klavierkonzert KV 453 (cadenzas by F. Steinbach); A. Copland, Appalachian Spring; A. Schnittke, Concerto Grosso Nr.6; Orpheus Kammerorchester Bulgarien under Raitscho Christov, Yosif Radionov, violine and Falko Steinbach, piano; Antes Edition, Bella Musica 31.9187, Bühl/Baden (2003)
11.	F. Steinbach, Thomasmesse, live recording of the world premiere, Edition Cantio Sacra, Cologne (2003)
12.	forte & piano; Werke von K. Schwaen; Falko Steinbach, piano; Musikbibliothek Marzahn – Hellersdorf, Berlin (2004)

Radio Productions (May 2014)

Title	Station (Recording)
M.C. Redel, Triade op. 34 für Klavier	WDR (5-17-1993, Kleiner Sendesaal)
Th. Medek, Zwischenspiele für Klavier	WDR (5-17-1993, Kleiner Sendesaal)
F. Schubert, Impromtu op. 90 Nr. 3	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
F. Schubert, Impromtu op. 90 Nr. 4	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
F. Schubert, Impromtu op. 142 Nr. 3	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
F. Chopin, Impromtu op. 36	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
C. Debussy, Prelude Band II Nr. 1	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
C. Debussy, Prelude Band II Nr. 4	WDR (10-6-1994, Festhalle Viersen)
H. Eisler, 44 Lieder (B. Brecht)	WDR (4-14, 8-20, 8-27,1997, Funkhaus, Saal 2)
Radio Live Recording	Station (Recording)
O. Trötschel, Drei Elegien op. 14	WDR (5-14-1991, Kammermusiksaal der Musikhochschule, Köln)
D. Lötfering, “Portait” für Cello und Klavier	WDR (5-14-1991, Kammermusiksaal der Musikhochschule, Köln mit Francoise Groben, Cello)
A. Webern, Sonate für Cello und Klavier (1914)	WDR (3-1-1994, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Köln mit Francoise Groben, Cello)
P. Hindemith, Sonate für Cello und Klavier op. 11,3	WDR (3-1-1994, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Köln mit Francoise Groben, Cello)
H. Eisler, “Reisesonate” für Violine und Klavier	WDR (3-1-1994, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Köln mit Lev Guelbard, Violine)
H. Eisler, Fünf Ausgewählte Lieder (B. Brecht)	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Marlene Mild, Sopran)
H. Eisler, Fünf Elegien (B. Brecht)	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Marlene Mild, Sopran)
J. Weismann, Das Mädchen, Bodensee, Fieber	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Marlene Mild, Sopran)
J. Weismann, Variationen für Violine und Klavier op. 39	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Lev Guelbard,Violine)
H. Unger, Auf den Tod eines Kindes op. 21	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Marlene Mild, Sopran)
H. Eisler, “Reisesonate” für Violine und Klavier	WDR (5-10-1994, Käthe- Kollwitz- Museum, Köln mit Lev Guelbard,Violine)
P. Dessau, Les Voix für Ensemble	NDR (9-8-1994, Musikfest Hamburg, Fabrik)
P. Dessau, Andante für Violine und Klavier	NDR (9-8-1994, Musikfest Hamburg, Fabrik mit Berthold Holewik,Violine)
P. Dessau, Quattrodramma für Ensemble	NDR (9-8-1994, Musikfest Hamburg, Fabrik)
O. Trötschel, Drei Elegien op. 14	NDR (1-29-1998, NDR-Landesfunkhaus Niedersachsen, Kleiner Sendesaal)
O. Trötschel, Zwei Gesänge nach R.M.Rilke op. 28	NDR (1-29-1998, NDR-Landesfunkhaus Niedersachsen, Kleiner Sendesaal mit Marlene Mild, Sopran)

World Premieres - Falko Steinbach (May 2014)

Description	Recording
Falko Steinbach, Suite in Three Movements	6-26-1984, Kammermusiksaal der Musikhochschule Köln
Falko Steinbach, Slapstick Variations for two pianos	5-10-1996, Belgisches Haus, Cologne; with Andreas Wegener 2nd piano
Falko Steinbach, Five Birthday Pieces	4-20-2002, Historic Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales, New Mexico; version for piano
Falko Steinbach, Five Birthday Pieces	6-6-2002, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Cologne, version for prepared piano
Falko Steinbach/Marlene Mild, Nine Lyrical Transfers on Poems by Bernd Bohmeier, improvisations on CD: Aus der Farbstille (Ferien, Ich bin, Schwäne gehen über Land, Regen zerbeißt die Wolken, Natur der Dinge, Leer das Zimmer, Vorschläge zur Güte, Ein Licht, Holzeinschlag)	9-7-1999, Schloß Morsbroich, Leverkusen
Falko Steinbach/Marlene Mild, Five Lyrical Transfers on Poems by Bernd Bohmeier, improvisations on CD: Aus der Farbstille (Die Sonne schmilzt, Liebesbeute, Nachlaß eines Menschenfreundes, Im September, ?)	9-7-1999, Schloß Morsbroich, Leverkusen
Falko Steinbach, twenty four background improvisations (wallpaper music)	9-7-1999, Schloß Morsbroich, Leverkusen
Falko Steinbach/Marlene Mild, Five Lyrical Transfers on Poems by Herbert Rosner (Viele Dinge, Wenn ich so zaghaft, wohin wankt Dein Schatten, Baßtanz, Jahreszeiten-Gebetsmühle)	6-6-2002, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Cologne
Falko Steinbach, At Night for piano quartet and cd	3-26-2004, Macey Center, Socorro, New Mexico; with Bernhard Zink, violine, Willy Sucre, viola and David Schepps, violoncello
Falko Steinbach, Accidents for piano and oboe	11-8-2004, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico; with Kevin Vigneau, oboe
Falko Steinbach, Figures – 17 Choreographic Etudes for piano solo	12-7-2006, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Falko Steinbach, Camp for piano, oboe, violoncello and cd	9-30-2006, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico; with Kevin Vigneau, oboe and David Schepps, violoncello
Falko Steinbach, Mirrorvisions	12-3-2007, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Falko Steinbach, If That Helps for piano, oboe and viola	12-7-2008, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico; with Kevin Vigneau and Kimberly Fredenburgh, viola
Falko Steinbach, Etude 53	12-7-2008, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Falko Steinbach, No, You Are Wrong, argument between oboe and piano	12-6-2009, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico; with Kevin Vigneau, oboe
Falko Steinbach, Collage for violoncello and piano	4-16-2011, Kaisersaal, Brauweiler; with Judith Ermert, violoncello
Wilhelm Hans, 6 Nicht Durchgeführte Ohrlinge für Horn, Violine und Klavier	2-20-1986, Aula der Musikhochschule Köln; with Wolfgang Wübbena, horn and Klaus Schwamm, violine
Wilhelm Hans, 3 ½ Klavierstücke	5-20-1987, Lecture Recital Room, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Barbican Center, London
Wilhelm Hans, Klavierkonzert “Giorno per Giorno”	12-8-1989, Aula der Musikhochschule Köln; Orchestra of the Musikhochschule Cologne and Johannes Stert, conductor
Oliver Trötschel, 3 Elegien op.14 für Klavier	3-23-1990, Belgisches Haus, Cologne
Oliver Trötschel, Zwei Gesänge nach Gedichten von R.M.Rilke op. 28	5-9-1997, Bürgerhaus alte Feuerwache; with Marlene Mild, soprano
Thomas Reiner, From Dawn to Spring (1984)	3-23-1990, Belgisches Haus, Cologne; with Marlene Mild, soprano
Paul Dessau, Andante für Violine und Klavier “Zum 50. Geburtstag von Albert Einstein” (1929)	9-8-1994, with Berthold Holewik, violine
Manfred Klink, Trio Nostalgico für Oboe, Viola und Klavier	8-24-1996, Falterhof; with Margot Lobmann, oboe and Manfred Klink, viola
Ferdinand Henkemeyer, Wandelhin-Taumelher	10-2-1996, Kunststation St. Peter, Cologne; with Stefanie Wüst and others
Stefan Thomas, Postludium	11-28-1996, Rathaussaal Bensberg
Kurt Schwaen, Preludio patetico	6-21-1997, Kurt Schwaen Archiv, Berlin-Hellersdorf
Kurt Schwaen, Tanzbüchlein Teil I	11-17-2001, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Kurt Schwaen, Tanzbüchlein Teil II, (Ah, die schöne Balletteuse, Zigeunertanz)	4-20-2002, Historic Old San Ysidro Church, Corrales, New Mexico
Kurt Schwaen, Tanzbüchlein Teil II (all other pieces)	6-3-2002, Musikbibliothek Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Berlin
Kurt Schwaen, Lyrische Stücke	6-6-2002, Bürgerhaus Alte Feuerwache, Cologne
Kurt Schwaen, from: Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Johann Wolfgang v.Goethe: April, Elemente	6-6-2002, with Marlene Mild, soprano
Kurt Schwaen, from: Die Nacht hindurch: Durch das Finstre, Die Nacht hindurch, Die Erde tanzt, Jetzt	6-30-2004, Aula der Universität zu Köln
Kurt Schwaen, Filigran	12-3-2007, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Kurt Schwaen, Stille	12-7-2008, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico
Erwin Kuckertz, from: Fünf Lieder nach Texten von C. Morgenstern: Das Gebet, Das aesthetische Wiesel, Der Papagei	6-30-2004, Aula der Uniersität zu Köln; with Marlene Mild, soprano
Chris Shultis, Romantic Miniatures	11-8-2002, Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico
Chris Shultis, Songs of Love and Longing	4-30-2004, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico; with Leslie Umphrey, soprano
Chris Shultis, Devisadero-Six Preludes for Piano Solo	4-1-2008, Keller Hall, Albuquerque, University of New Mexico, John Donald Robb Symposium