Bianchi Oscar
(05. 08. 1975)
Biography
Born n Milan, holding dual Italian-Swiss citizenships, Oscar Bianchi completed degrees in composition, choir conducting and electronic music at the Giuseppe Verdi conservatory of Milan. He pursued studies in composition taking part in master programs such as at IRCAM - Centre Pompidou and with a doctoral degree at Columbia University in New York.
Vitality, pulsing rhythms, and virtuosity are the hallmarks of the music created by Bianchi, who reveals a sensible interest in new phrasings and new ornamentations, something to be expected from someone whose ears are finely attuned to the music from all corners of the globe. A vocal quality, even in his instrumental work, can strike us as a prominent feature of his music. Exuberant and intelligent, this vocal dimension plays with a refined art of accentuations in all its intermediate degrees. We know him now increasingly interested in cantata and opera: at its core, Bianchi's music continues to be guided by the challenge of dramaturgical and formal issues. The unexpected contrasts between voluble virtuosity and contemplative stasis are the driving force of his flair for dramatic gesture. His music is joyfully violent in breath and in song but may suddenly come to rest in prayer, via a specific harmony, as though struck by the noonday light.
Commissioned by the Aix-en-Provence Festival and Théâtre & Musique, his first opera, Thanks to My Eyes, libretto and direction by Joël Pommerat, received critical acclaim by audiences and critics alike (A masterly portrait of Melancholy, Le Monde, July 7, 2011). His music has been performed by outstanding ensembles and orchestras such as Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Deutsche Symphonie Orchester, Ensemble Modern, Klangforum Wien, JACK quartet, Les Percussions de Strasbourg, Ictus, Quatuor Diotima, Ensemble Remix, Nieuw Ensemble, Ensemble l'Itineraire, Ensemble Contrechamps, International Contemporary Ensemble, Alarm Will Sound, David Grimal, Kammerensemble für neue Musik Berlin, Phoenix Ensemble, Collegium Novum Zürich, Drumming Grupo de Percussão from Porto, Ensemble Laboratorium, Osterreichiches Ensemble für neue Musik, Sound'arte.
Upcoming projects include new works for the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and Maestro Riccardo Chailly, The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Modern, Hebbel am Ufer and Neuevocalsolisten Stuttgart. A monographic CD will be released in 2013 while an extraordinary recording of his cantata MATRA has been just released under the label Cypres.
The works of Oscar Bianchi have been performed throughout Europe and the Americas in prestigious venues such as Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center); Merkin Hall, New York; Luzern Festival; Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam; Venice Biennale; Musica Festival in Strasbourg; Warsaw Autumn Festival; Ultrashall, Berlin; Eclat, Stuttgart; Gasteig, Munich; Ars Musica, Bozar, Brussels; Archipel, Geneva; Tages für Neue Musik, Zürich; IRCAM Centre-Pompidou, Paris; Abbaye du Royaumont; DRS; RSR; RSI; RAI; France Culture; RFI; TFI; France Inter; RTBF; ORT; SWR; Deutschland Kultur, RBB, the Tchaikowsky Conservatory, Moscow; the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; Kulturhuset, Stockholm; Sonora Festival, Cologne; OggiMusica, Lugano; Musica è Realtà, Milan; Nuove sincronie, Milan; Milan Conservatory; Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Nuova Consonanza, Rome; CEMAT, Rome.
Oscar Bianchi was a guest of the DAAD Kunstlerprogramm Berlin, Pro-Helvetia in Warsaw and Johannesburg and the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida. He has been awarded numerous prizes, such as the Gaudeamus first Prize, the Dussurget Prize, the Asm-Stv Prize, the Aargauer Kuratorium fellowship and the Ictus fellowship.
This extended biography is to be reproduced without any changes, omissions or additions, unless expressly authorized by the artist management.
(Transl.: English source text left uncorrected.)
Vitality, pulsing rhythms, and virtuosity are the hallmarks of the music created by Bianchi, who reveals a sensible interest in new phrasings and new ornamentations, something to be expected from someone whose ears are finely attuned to the music from all corners of the globe. A vocal quality, even in his instrumental work, can strike us as a prominent feature of his music. Exuberant and intelligent, this vocal dimension plays with a refined art of accentuations in all its intermediate degrees. We know him now increasingly interested in cantata and opera: at its core, Bianchi's music continues to be guided by the challenge of dramaturgical and formal issues. The unexpected contrasts between voluble virtuosity and contemplative stasis are the driving force of his flair for dramatic gesture. His music is joyfully violent in breath and in song but may suddenly come to rest in prayer, via a specific harmony, as though struck by the noonday light.
Commissioned by the Aix-en-Provence Festival and Théâtre & Musique, his first opera, Thanks to My Eyes, libretto and direction by Joël Pommerat, received critical acclaim by audiences and critics alike (A masterly portrait of Melancholy, Le Monde, July 7, 2011). His music has been performed by outstanding ensembles and orchestras such as Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Deutsche Symphonie Orchester, Ensemble Modern, Klangforum Wien, JACK quartet, Les Percussions de Strasbourg, Ictus, Quatuor Diotima, Ensemble Remix, Nieuw Ensemble, Ensemble l'Itineraire, Ensemble Contrechamps, International Contemporary Ensemble, Alarm Will Sound, David Grimal, Kammerensemble für neue Musik Berlin, Phoenix Ensemble, Collegium Novum Zürich, Drumming Grupo de Percussão from Porto, Ensemble Laboratorium, Osterreichiches Ensemble für neue Musik, Sound'arte.
Upcoming projects include new works for the Gewandhaus in Leipzig and Maestro Riccardo Chailly, The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Modern, Hebbel am Ufer and Neuevocalsolisten Stuttgart. A monographic CD will be released in 2013 while an extraordinary recording of his cantata MATRA has been just released under the label Cypres.
The works of Oscar Bianchi have been performed throughout Europe and the Americas in prestigious venues such as Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center); Merkin Hall, New York; Luzern Festival; Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam; Venice Biennale; Musica Festival in Strasbourg; Warsaw Autumn Festival; Ultrashall, Berlin; Eclat, Stuttgart; Gasteig, Munich; Ars Musica, Bozar, Brussels; Archipel, Geneva; Tages für Neue Musik, Zürich; IRCAM Centre-Pompidou, Paris; Abbaye du Royaumont; DRS; RSR; RSI; RAI; France Culture; RFI; TFI; France Inter; RTBF; ORT; SWR; Deutschland Kultur, RBB, the Tchaikowsky Conservatory, Moscow; the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; Kulturhuset, Stockholm; Sonora Festival, Cologne; OggiMusica, Lugano; Musica è Realtà, Milan; Nuove sincronie, Milan; Milan Conservatory; Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Nuova Consonanza, Rome; CEMAT, Rome.
Oscar Bianchi was a guest of the DAAD Kunstlerprogramm Berlin, Pro-Helvetia in Warsaw and Johannesburg and the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida. He has been awarded numerous prizes, such as the Gaudeamus first Prize, the Dussurget Prize, the Asm-Stv Prize, the Aargauer Kuratorium fellowship and the Ictus fellowship.
This extended biography is to be reproduced without any changes, omissions or additions, unless expressly authorized by the artist management.
(Transl.: English source text left uncorrected.)
Work list
Explosion Implosion (1999)
for solo piano
Duration: 5' 30"
Manuscript
for solo piano
Duration: 5' 30"
Manuscript
Involve (2000)
for tape
Duration: 4' 45"
Manuscript
for tape
Duration: 4' 45"
Manuscript
Estensione di forma (2000)
for piano and violin
Duration: 4' 20"
Manuscript
for piano and violin
Duration: 4' 20"
Manuscript
Pictures of an Explosion (2000)
for mixed ensemble (cl, bsn, tp, tbn, el guitar, el bass, el keyboards, percussion, harp)
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
for mixed ensemble (cl, bsn, tp, tbn, el guitar, el bass, el keyboards, percussion, harp)
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
Concordia discors (2001)
for trio (piano, vl, vc)
Manuscript
for trio (piano, vl, vc)
Manuscript
Sibilla (2001)
for electric and acoustic violin, ensemble (3 fl, 2 cl, bsn, tp, tbn, hrn, timp, 2 perc, piano) and live electronics
Manuscript
for electric and acoustic violin, ensemble (3 fl, 2 cl, bsn, tp, tbn, hrn, timp, 2 perc, piano) and live electronics
Manuscript
De rerum natura (2001)
for flute and violin
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
for flute and violin
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
QBA (2002)
for percussion solo
Manuscript
for percussion solo
Manuscript
Sussurro... forse sussulto (2002)
Short piece
for voice and orchestra
Manuscript
Short piece
for voice and orchestra
Manuscript
I due cardini (2002)
for piano and large ensemble
Manuscript
for piano and large ensemble
Manuscript
Esegesi del ricordo (2003)
for ensemble (sx, cr, tbn, perc, pf, acc)
Duration: 13' 00"
Manuscript
for ensemble (sx, cr, tbn, perc, pf, acc)
Duration: 13' 00"
Manuscript
Primordia rerum (2003)
for soprano and five instruments (fl, cl, pf, vl, cello)
Texts: Oscar Bianchi, Lucrezio
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
for soprano and five instruments (fl, cl, pf, vl, cello)
Texts: Oscar Bianchi, Lucrezio
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Crepuscolo (2003-2004)
for Paetzold recorders (cb in F) and electronics
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
for Paetzold recorders (cb in F) and electronics
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Alba (2004)
for ensemble (fl, cl, tr, perc, el guit, el bass, pf, synth, vl, vla, cello)
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
for ensemble (fl, cl, tr, perc, el guit, el bass, pf, synth, vl, vla, cello)
Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
Mezzogiorno (2004-2005)
for ensemble (fl, cl, tr, perc, el guitar, el bass, synth, pf, vl, vla, vcl) and electronics
Duration: 15' 00"
for ensemble (fl, cl, tr, perc, el guitar, el bass, synth, pf, vl, vla, vcl) and electronics
Duration: 15' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
AQBA, nel soffio tuo dolce (2005)
for six percussionists
Duration: 17' 00"
Manuscript
for six percussionists
Duration: 17' 00"
Manuscript
Zaffiro (2005)
for ensemble (bass fl, baritone sax, viola, guitar)
Duration: 12' 00"
for ensemble (bass fl, baritone sax, viola, guitar)
Duration: 12' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Introitus (2005)
for choir (8 voices)
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
for choir (8 voices)
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
Teso ma non nervoso (2006)
for ensemble
Duration: 11' 00"
Manuscript
for ensemble
Duration: 11' 00"
Manuscript
Preludio (2006)
for ensemble
Duration: 3' 00"
Manuscript
for ensemble
Duration: 3' 00"
Manuscript
The Salvador Dali Secret Chord Progression (2006)
for percussion ensemble
Duration: 14' 00"
Manuscript
for percussion ensemble
Duration: 14' 00"
Manuscript
Matra (2006-2007)
Cantata
for vocal ensemble, instrumental ensemble, trio concertante and electronics
Duration: 60' 00"
Manuscript
Cantata
for vocal ensemble, instrumental ensemble, trio concertante and electronics
Duration: 60' 00"
Manuscript
Stone Rhapsody (2007-2008)
for electric guitar, two pianos, two percussions
Duration: 19' 00"
Manuscript
for electric guitar, two pianos, two percussions
Duration: 19' 00"
Manuscript
Trasparente (2007)
for ensemble, (fl, ob, cl, perc, pf, vl, vla, vcl, cb)
Duration: 9' 00"
Manuscript
for ensemble, (fl, ob, cl, perc, pf, vl, vla, vcl, cb)
Duration: 9' 00"
Manuscript
Trasparente II (2007-2008)
for ensemble, (fl, cl, hr, tp, perc, harp, pf, vl, vla, vcl)
Duration: 11' 00"
for ensemble, (fl, cl, hr, tp, perc, harp, pf, vl, vla, vcl)
Duration: 11' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Anahata Concerto (2008)
for sixteen instruments
Duration: 23' 00"
Manuscript
for sixteen instruments
Duration: 23' 00"
Manuscript
Vishudda Concerto (2008-2009)
for nineteen instruments
Duration: 23' 00"
Manuscript
for nineteen instruments
Duration: 23' 00"
Manuscript
Semplice (2009-2010)
for violin
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
for violin
Duration: 8' 00"
Manuscript
Ajna Prelude (2009-2010)
for orchestra
Duration: 6' 00"
for orchestra
Duration: 6' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Gr... (2010)
for bass flute
Duration: 7' 00"
for bass flute
Duration: 7' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Thanks to my Eyes (2010-2011)
Opera in one act
Texts: Joël Pommerat
Duration: 75' 00"
Opera in one act
Texts: Joël Pommerat
Duration: 75' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Adesso (2011)
String Quartet No 1
Duration: 20' 00"
String Quartet No 1
Duration: 20' 00"
Editions Durand-Salabert-Eschig
Ante litteram (2011-2012)
for 6 voices and bass clarinet
Duration: 18' 00"
Manuscript
for 6 voices and bass clarinet
Duration: 18' 00"
Manuscript
Sinfonia Concertante (2011-2013)
for soli and orchestra
Duration: 20' 00"
Manuscript
for soli and orchestra
Duration: 20' 00"
Manuscript
Lullaby (2012)
for six musicians
Duration: 5' 00"
Manuscript
for six musicians
Duration: 5' 00"
Manuscript
The Infinite Jest (2012)
for soprano, dancer and actress
Concept, staging, music, coreography: Oscar Bianchi / Constanza Macras.
Lyrics: excerpts from Infinite Jest of David Foster Wallace.
Duration: 45' 00"
Manuscript
for soprano, dancer and actress
Concept, staging, music, coreography: Oscar Bianchi / Constanza Macras.
Lyrics: excerpts from Infinite Jest of David Foster Wallace.
Duration: 45' 00"
Manuscript
Sotto vuoto (2012)
for voice and percussion
Duration: 3' 00"
Manuscript
for voice and percussion
Duration: 3' 00"
Manuscript
New Work (2012-2013)
for 2 voices and bagpipe
Duration: 10' 00"
Manuscript
for 2 voices and bagpipe
Duration: 10' 00"
Manuscript
Diskographie
Oscar Bianchi (Musiques Suisses Nr. MGB CTS-M 138, 2013)
Scheidegger, Mats
Bianchi, Oscar: Primordia rerum (2003)
Bianchi, Oscar: Crepuscolo (2003-2004)
Bianchi, Oscar: Zaffiro (2005)
Bianchi, Oscar: Matra (2006-2007)
Bianchi, Oscar: Anahata Concerto (2008)
Bianchi, Oscar: Thanks to my Eyes (2010-2011)
Interpreten:
Gubler, RicoScheidegger, Mats
Werke:
Bianchi, Oscar: Gr... (2010)Bianchi, Oscar: Primordia rerum (2003)
Bianchi, Oscar: Crepuscolo (2003-2004)
Bianchi, Oscar: Zaffiro (2005)
Bianchi, Oscar: Matra (2006-2007)
Bianchi, Oscar: Anahata Concerto (2008)
Bianchi, Oscar: Thanks to my Eyes (2010-2011)