Music Composer Daniel Schnyder unites Jimi Hendrix and Anton Bruckner
The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie premieres a work by Swiss composer Daniel Schnyder. In an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency, the composer explains why his music aims to reflect society as a whole.
09.01.2025, 07:30
SDA
George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein - they are all American masters who knew how to combine classical music with popular music. The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie will be performing works by them, among others, at the beginning of the year. The orchestra, which is made up of students from German-speaking music academies, will thus play "American Classics" of the 20th century. In addition to the popular classics, the program also includes the world premiere of a concerto for orchestra by Swiss composer Daniel Schnyder.
The musician and composer, who was born in Zurich in 1961 and has lived in his adopted home of New York since 1992, is known for his work in the different musical genres of classical music and jazz - a combination that is rare in the European music world, unlike in America. With his cross-genre understanding of music, Schnyder has long enjoyed international success. He has written pieces for renowned orchestras worldwide. The album "Absolution" with Schnyder's bass trombone concerto received a Grammy nomination in 2002.
Unplayable 60 years ago
Schnyder is present at the rehearsals of his Concerto for Orchestra for the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie. 60 years ago, his composition would have been unplayable, he said. On the one hand, this was due to the virtuoso voices of exotic instruments such as the marimba or bass trombone.
On the other hand, the concerto would have been considered unplayable for stylistic reasons. The concerto for orchestra strongly reflects the music of the 1980s and 90s. "For the young generation, the generation of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, these stylistic departures from classical music are not so difficult. For a traditional orchestra, on the other hand, which only plays classical music, many rhythmic questions arise." He wrote the work deliberately for "young virtuosos".
Catchy like Gershwin and Bernstein
Although the commissioned work, which Schnyder composed back in 2021, is certainly very demanding for the players, it is not strenuous music for the audience. Schnyder described his work as "groovy and rhythmic". This puts it in line with a program featuring Gershwin or Bernstein. While rhythm and groove are often frowned upon in new music in Europe, "they have always been present in the American tradition. In the minimal music of Glass and Reich, they are even very pronounced."
Daniel Schnyder, who has found his musical home in America, said: "I myself don't know of any piece that goes in that direction." It lasts around 30 minutes and begins with a "Misterioso" - a fog of sound that then gradually dissipates. "In a contrasting part of the first movement, it has a groove that might remind you of Jimi Hendrix," said Schnyder.
This "American" first movement is followed by the second movement in a more European tradition. "This is something for those who like composers like Anton Bruckner," said Schnyder. The last movement brings with it African 6/8 rhythms and timbres. This also seems typical of Schnyder, who has also worked with African and Arab musicians.
Lively classical music
"If classical music cannot represent society as a whole, then it will become increasingly marginalized," said Schnyder. And: "We must once again capture the entirety of the urban reality of our time in the concert hall. If we don't succeed, classical music will unfortunately become a zoo for dinosaurs: bones and no more meat, a museum." This is also the reason why he wanted to write for young musicians and why he thinks more globally in terms of rhythm.
The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, starts its tour with "Celebrations" on Thursday evening at the Stadtcasino Basel. The Spanish Kebyart Saxophone Quartet will be performing William Bolcom's Concerto Grosso for saxophone quartet and orchestra. The conductor is Delyana Lazarova, who lives in Switzerland.
