Sven Helbig
Encyclopedia
Sven Helbig is a German composer, director and music producer.
Helbig’s first experience with music began with the clarinet, but he later added the guitar, piano and drums. He studied music in Dresden and taught drums at the “Carl-Maria von Weber” musical academy in Dresden from 1995 to 2008. Helbig’s versatility made him a much sought-after producer for crossover projects.
After his first international release “Mein Herz brennt” (2004) he came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys
. They had just begun working on their soundtrack to Sergey Eisenstein’s silent film classic Battleship Potemkin, which was planned to be a combination of electronic and orchestral music . The piece premiered in front of 25,000 spectators on London’s Trafalgar Square, in September 2004.
Since then Sven Helbig has worked as a producer, composer and arranger with Rammstein
, Pet Shop Boys, Snoop Dogg
, Polarkreis 18
, the Fauré Quartett, opera singer René Pape
, German rapper Sido
and numerous theater productions .
In recent years, the artist has delved into work as a director. He directed music videos, stage shows and theatrical multimedia events . For example, he produced the “High-rise Symphony” on Dresden’s 800th anniversary during which the orchestra’s musicians sat on individual balconies of an old East German apartment building.
On behalf of the MDR Symphony Orchestra Helbig produced “Kinder der Freiheit” to mark the 20th anniversary of the German reunification, in 2009.
Helbigs work builds on the tradition of the Gesamtkunstwerk
(all-embracing art form). Often he takes responsibility for content, music and production at the same time.
Bio
In 1996, Sven Helbig and hornist Markus Rindt founded the Dresden Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is specialized in new, symphonic music in unusual productions and was the first European symphony orchestra to exclusively perform contemporary music . Helbig gave up his managing position in 2007 to focus on his own musical work, resulting in orchestral pieces, film music and electronic music compositions (Breakcore).Helbig’s first experience with music began with the clarinet, but he later added the guitar, piano and drums. He studied music in Dresden and taught drums at the “Carl-Maria von Weber” musical academy in Dresden from 1995 to 2008. Helbig’s versatility made him a much sought-after producer for crossover projects.
After his first international release “Mein Herz brennt” (2004) he came to the attention of Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
. They had just begun working on their soundtrack to Sergey Eisenstein’s silent film classic Battleship Potemkin, which was planned to be a combination of electronic and orchestral music . The piece premiered in front of 25,000 spectators on London’s Trafalgar Square, in September 2004.
Since then Sven Helbig has worked as a producer, composer and arranger with Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
, Pet Shop Boys, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
, Polarkreis 18
Polarkreis 18
Polarkreis 18 is a German pop band from Dresden, Saxony. The bandmembers met at school where they formed the band Jack of all Trades in 1998. In 2004 they renamed their band Polarkreis 18. The musical style of the band can be described as pop, synthpop and indietronic...
, the Fauré Quartett, opera singer René Pape
René Pape
René Pape is a German opera singer, a bass.-Biography:Rene Pape was born in Dresden, then part of East Germany. His mother is a hairdresser and his father a chef. His parents divorced when he was two years old and he sometimes lived with his grandmother, who opened the way for his interest in music...
, German rapper Sido
Sido
Sido may refer to:* Sido , stage name of Paul Würdig, a German rapper* Sido , a South Korean island*Sido, Mali* Sidoh , the final boss monster of the NES and Game Boy Color video game, Dragon Warrior II...
and numerous theater productions .
In recent years, the artist has delved into work as a director. He directed music videos, stage shows and theatrical multimedia events . For example, he produced the “High-rise Symphony” on Dresden’s 800th anniversary during which the orchestra’s musicians sat on individual balconies of an old East German apartment building.
On behalf of the MDR Symphony Orchestra Helbig produced “Kinder der Freiheit” to mark the 20th anniversary of the German reunification, in 2009.
Helbigs work builds on the tradition of the Gesamtkunstwerk
Gesamtkunstwerk
A Gesamtkunstwerk is a work of art that makes use of all or many art forms or strives to do so...
(all-embracing art form). Often he takes responsibility for content, music and production at the same time.
Projects
- 2004: Premiere of The Battleship Potemkin at London’s Trafalgar Square
- 2006: Production of the high-rise symphony at Dresden’s 800th anniversary (director, light design, music)
- 2006: The Mover Ballet, 250 solar panels danced to his music during the opening ceremony of the world’s largest solar park in Arnheim
- 2007: MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) music for Snoop Dogg (arranger)
- 2007: String quartet “Jenseits des Sees” (composer)
- 2009: Music video “The Color Of Snow” - Polarkreis 18 (director)
- 2009: Music video “Happy Go Lucky” - Polarkreis 18 (director)
- 2011: Premier performance of the ballet "The Most Incredible Thing" in London at Sadler's Wells TheatreSadler's Wells TheatreSadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
, music by Pet Shop Boys with orchestrations by Sven Helbig
Discography
- 2003: Album “Mein Herz brennt” - Torsten RaschTorsten RaschTorsten Rasch is a German composer of contemporary classical music. He is best known for his 2002 song cycle for baritone and orchestra, Mein Herz brennt, based upon the music of Rammstein; among his other works is the opera Rotter, based on a work by Thomas Brasch and premiered by Oper Köln in...
with René PapeRené PapeRené Pape is a German opera singer, a bass.-Biography:Rene Pape was born in Dresden, then part of East Germany. His mother is a hairdresser and his father a chef. His parents divorced when he was two years old and he sometimes lived with his grandmother, who opened the way for his interest in music...
and Katharina ThalbachKatharina ThalbachKatharina Thalbach is a German actress and film director.- Life and work :Katharina Thalbach comes from a particularly artistic-oriented family. Her father Benno Besson was a director, her mother Sabine Thalbach was an actress. Her late husband Thomas Brasch was an author. Her daughter Anna and...
, released by Deutsche Grammophon (producer) - 2004: Album “The Battleship Potemkin” - Pet Shop Boys (producer)
- 2008: Album “The Color Of Snow” - Polarkreis 18 (orchestra arranger/producer)
- 2009: Album “Liebe ist für alle da” - Rammstein (orchestra and choir arranger)
- 2009: Album “Popsongs” - Fauré Quartett (arranger/producer)
- 2010: MTV UnpluggedMTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
Sido (rapper)Sido (rapper)Paul Hartmut Würdig , better known as Sido, is a German rapper.The name "Sido" is an abbreviation which stands for "superintelligentes Drogenopfer" or "Scheiße in dein Ohr" in earlier times.Würdig distinguishes himself by using provocative and aggressive lyrics...
- (arranger/producer) - 2010: Album "Frei" - Polarkreis 18 (orchestra arranger/producer)
- 2011: Album "The Most Incredible Thing" - Pet Shop Boys (orchestra arranger/producer)
Production Awards
- 2004: ECHO Classical Music Award in the world premier recording category for “Mein Herz brennt” to Torsten Rasch
- 2010: ECHO Classical Music Award in the classical music without borders category for “Popsongs” to the Fauré Quartett