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:world premiere of new ballet Kafka Amerika in Linz, choreographed by Jochen Ulrich (10 Oct); new orchestral work, Nachtmusiken, commissioned by the BBC for premiere by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester (16 Jan 2010)
"Schwertsik's music is homespun, witty, nostalgic, vegetarian, politically liberal, intelligent, anti-authoritarian, widely-read, and deeply in love with tradition." — Financial Times
