Kurt Schwertsik's music is mercurial and idiosyncratic with a refreshing lightness of touch * Though a pupil of Stockhausen, the composer rejected serialism in favour of new forms of tonality * His search for an 'alternative' modern culture draws inspiration from Satie and the Dada movement * Output includes operas, the Irdische Klänge orchestral cycle (1980-92), concertos for violin, alphorn, guitar, double bass, timpani and flute, and numerous song cycles * Has collaborated on four widely-toured danceworks with choreographer Johann Kresnik * Featured composer at leading festivals, including Almeida, Adelaide, Wien Modern and the Alternative Vienna series in London
Looking Ahead:new production of Eisberg nach Sizilien opens in Dortmund (4 Feb); performances of Double Bass Concerto by Niederösterreichisches Tonkünstlerorchester (5/9 May)
"Schwertsik's music is homespun, witty, nostalgic, vegetarian, politically liberal, intelligent, anti-authoritarian, widely-read, and deeply in love with tradition." — Financial Times
