Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs
Encyclopedia
Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs is a German conductor, scholar, and publicist on music.
(Rome
), and from 1989 to 1994 concert conducting (Hans-Joachim Kauffmann), voice (Hidenori Komatsu) and flute (Susanne Meier) at the Conservatory of Arts, Bremen He also attended to rehearsals and projects of numerous well-known conductors, and performed himself with several choirs and orchestras. His concert examination in 1994 included compositions by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Jean Sibelius
and Frank Martin
as well as the first Bremen performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams
’ Symphony No. 5
, recorded and broadcasted by Radio Bremen. In 1996 he finished a Postgraduate Diploma in Musicology at the University of Adelaide
for which he was granted a full scholarship of the DAAD. Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes Since then, he has developed a career as a freelance concert conductor, editor, scholar and publicist on music. Cohrs finished his PhD in Musicology (University of Hamburg) in 2009.
Bolshoi Hall, when he introduced historically informed performing practice to the Russian National Orchestra
. In March 2001 he participated in the farewell-concert of the famous Philharmonia Hungarica
, which was closed by the German Government and the Orchestral Union for political reasons. He appeared with orchestras such as the Royal Flanders Philharmonic (September 2001, Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo
), Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra, and the Janacek Philharmonic; with the latter he gave the Austrian Premiére of Bruckner
’s completed Ninth Symphony in Gmunden.
). Today he is a well-known Bruckner
-scholar, in particular due to his studies and editions on Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony. He was also part of the editorial team of Nicola Samale
which prepared the Completed Performing Version of the unfinished Finale of Bruckner’s Ninth (1986–2006). For the Magazine Musik-Konzepte he compiled Vol. 120/121/122 on request of the earlier editors, Heinz-Klaus Metzger
and Rainer Riehn
(Bruckners Neunte im Fegefeuer der Rezeption, Munich 2003). He also edited new completed performing versions of Schubert
’s Unfinished Symphony in b-minor and the Great Mass in C minor by Mozart
, both based on original sources.
Early career
Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs gave his early conducting debut 1984 with the orchestra of the Youth Music School in Hameln, where he received his early musical education since 1972 (Flute, Theory, Aural Training, Piano). In the same year he founded the Youth String Orchestra of Hameln, which performed with him numerous works of the string- and chamber orchestra repertoire until 1992. From 1986 to 1989 he studied conducting privately with the noted Italian composer and conductor Nicola SamaleNicola Samale
Nicola Samale , is a composer and conductor.- Biography :...
(Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
), and from 1989 to 1994 concert conducting (Hans-Joachim Kauffmann), voice (Hidenori Komatsu) and flute (Susanne Meier) at the Conservatory of Arts, Bremen He also attended to rehearsals and projects of numerous well-known conductors, and performed himself with several choirs and orchestras. His concert examination in 1994 included compositions by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
and Frank Martin
Frank Martin (composer)
Frank Martin was a Swiss composer, who lived a large part of his life in the Netherlands.-Childhood and youth:...
as well as the first Bremen performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
’ Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 5 (Vaughan Williams)
Symphony No. 5 by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was written between 1938 and 1943. In style it represents a shift away from the violent dissonance of the Fourth Symphony, and a return to the more romantic style of the earlier Pastoral Symphony...
, recorded and broadcasted by Radio Bremen. In 1996 he finished a Postgraduate Diploma in Musicology at the University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia...
for which he was granted a full scholarship of the DAAD. Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes Since then, he has developed a career as a freelance concert conductor, editor, scholar and publicist on music. Cohrs finished his PhD in Musicology (University of Hamburg) in 2009.
Conductor
Ben Cohrs made his international conducting debut in November 2000 in the MoscowMoscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
Bolshoi Hall, when he introduced historically informed performing practice to the Russian National Orchestra
Russian National Orchestra
The Russian National Orchestra premiered in Moscow in 1990.It was the first Russian orchestra to perform at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican and in Israel....
. In March 2001 he participated in the farewell-concert of the famous Philharmonia Hungarica
Philharmonia Hungarica
The Philharmonia Hungarica was a symphony orchestra, based in Germany, which existed from 1956 to 2001.It was first established in Baden bei Wien near Vienna by Hungarian musicians who had fled their homeland after it was invaded by Soviet troops...
, which was closed by the German Government and the Orchestral Union for political reasons. He appeared with orchestras such as the Royal Flanders Philharmonic (September 2001, Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
), Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra, and the Janacek Philharmonic; with the latter he gave the Austrian Premiére of Bruckner
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
’s completed Ninth Symphony in Gmunden.
Scholar and publicist on music
Since 1996 Cohrs contributes to international music magazines, presents pre-concert-talks as well as own radio programmes (Radio Bremen, SWR, WDR, ORF), writes programme notes, booklet notes, reports on musicological conferences and is a successful editor of music. Since 1995 he is a co-editor of the Anton Bruckner Gesamtausgabe (Bruckner Complete Edition, ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
). Today he is a well-known Bruckner
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
-scholar, in particular due to his studies and editions on Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony. He was also part of the editorial team of Nicola Samale
Nicola Samale
Nicola Samale , is a composer and conductor.- Biography :...
which prepared the Completed Performing Version of the unfinished Finale of Bruckner’s Ninth (1986–2006). For the Magazine Musik-Konzepte he compiled Vol. 120/121/122 on request of the earlier editors, Heinz-Klaus Metzger
Heinz-Klaus Metzger
Heinz-Klaus Metzger was a German music critic and theorist.Metzger studied piano under Carl Seemann in Freiburg and composition under Max Deutsch in Paris. Later, attending a summer course for new music in Darmstadt, he met Theodor W. Adorno, Edgard Varèse, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Luigi Nono...
and Rainer Riehn
Rainer Riehn
Rainer Riehn is a German music composer and conductor and co-editor of music theory magazines.Riehn studied music theory in Mainz, Zürich, and Berlin and composition with Gottfried Michael Koenig in Utrecht....
(Bruckners Neunte im Fegefeuer der Rezeption, Munich 2003). He also edited new completed performing versions of Schubert
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
’s Unfinished Symphony in b-minor and the Great Mass in C minor by Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
, both based on original sources.
Editions of music
- Lili BoulangerLili BoulangerLili Boulanger was a French composer, the younger sister of the noted composer and composition teacher Nadia Boulanger.-Early years:A Parisian-born child prodigy, who was good at piano...
: Théme et Variations for Piano(1915). First Edition. Tonger, Cologne, 2005 (ISMN-M-005-32611-3) - Anton BrucknerAnton BrucknerAnton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
: Symphony No. IX in d-minor (score and parts) New critical edition, Bruckner Complete Edition, Vienna 2000 (ISMN-M-50025-225-2) - Anton BrucknerAnton BrucknerAnton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
: Symphony No. IX, Finale (unfinished). Completed Performance Version (1986–92/rev. 1996); (with Nicola SamaleNicola SamaleNicola Samale , is a composer and conductor.- Biography :...
, John A. Phillips, Giuseppe Mazzuca); Adelaide/Bremen 1992. Revised Edition (with Nicola Samale): 2005/rev. 2008 Score : Repertoire Explorer Nr. 444 / Musikproduktion Hoeflich, Munich, 2008; Orchestral Parts: BGC Manuscript Edition, Bremen. - Anton BrucknerAnton BrucknerAnton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
: Scherzo und Trio / Ältere Trios mit Viola-Solo. Bruckner Complete Edition, Vienna 1998 (ISMN-M-50025-182-8) - Anton BrucknerAnton BrucknerAnton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
: Symphony No. IX, Two earlier, discarded Trios. Performance Version Doblinger, Vienna, 1998 (ISMN-M-012-18480-8). - Frank MartinFrank MartinFrank Martin may refer to:*Frank Martin , Swiss classical composer*Frank Martin , ice hockey player*Frank Martin , head men's basketball coach...
: Sonata da ChiesaSonata da chiesaSonata da chiesa is an instrumental composition dating from the Baroque period, generally consisting of four movements. More than one melody was often used, and the movements were ordered slow–fast–slow–fast with respect to tempo...
for Flute and String Orchestra (1993–94; new arrangement on request of Maria Martin); First Edition, Universal-Edition, Vienna 1997 (UE 30 868). - Wolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
: Great Mass in C minor, Credo & Agnus Dei, Completion from original sources. Score: Repertoire Explorer Nr. 1049, Musikproduktion Höflich, Munich, 2010; Performance Material: BGC Manuscript Edition, Bremen - Erik SatieErik SatieÉric Alfred Leslie Satie was a French composer and pianist. Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20th century Parisian avant-garde...
: Trois Gymnopédies, Arrangement for String Orchestra with Harp ad lib.; Score and Parts; First Edition, Doblinger, Vienna 2006 (ISMN-M-012-19299-2) - Franz SchubertFranz SchubertFranz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer.Although he died at an early age, Schubert was tremendously prolific. He wrote some 600 Lieder, nine symphonies , liturgical music, operas, some incidental music, and a large body of chamber and solo piano music...
: Symphony in b minor D 759 (Unfinished), Scherzo D 759/3 (Completed Performance Edition by Nicola Samale & Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs) / Orchestral Movement D 797/1 (Presumed Finale); Score: Repertoire Explorer Nr. 884 / Musikproduktion Hoeflich, Munich, 2008; Orchestral Parts: BGC Manuscript Edition, Bremen.
Selected writings in print
- Bruckners Neunte im Fegefeuer der Rezeption. Musik-Konzepte 120/121/122, Munich 2003, ISBN 3-88377-738-2
- Anton Bruckner: IX. Symphonie d-moll (1. Satz–Scherzo & Trio–Adagio). Critical Report, Bruckner Complete Edition, Vienna 2001, ISBN 3-900270-53-8
Selected original compositions
- L´amour perdu (MS, 1993), Berceuse for piano op. 4 (dedicated to Ole Georg Graf). Also arranged for small orchestra (MS, 1999)
- Trois Pastorales (MS,1991) op. 3 for flute and clarinet (dedicated to Michael Donner)
- Jesu, Deine Passion EKG 67 (MS, 1987/91). Chorale prelude for organ op. 2 (in memoriam Sebastian Hedemann)
- Komm, Herr, segne uns (MS, 1980/4) op. 1, motet for mixed choir, flute and organ (dedicated to Daniela Scholz)
External links
- http://musikmph.de/musical_scores/vorworte/1049.pdf Mozart, Great Mass in C minor, preface (German/English) of the completion by Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs (2010)