All individuals:

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z

 

Meierhans Mela

(1961)

Meierhans Mela
Dorotheenhof 1
D-15518 Steinhöfel/Brandenburg
Deutschland

Tel: +49 (0)30 802 78 04

www.meierhans.info



Genre: Classical Music
Professional activity: Composers, Interpreters
Biography
* 1961.

Mela Meierhans lives in Berlin and Buckow/Brandenburg.
She received her most important artistic impulses from her parents (contemporary music and abstract painting). Since 1989, her main fields of creative interest have been: Complexity and open-mindedness, interdisciplinary collaboration, development of interactive scores in the areas of music, dance, film, performance, theatre, installation and architecture.
Since 2003, the main focus of her work has been on music / musical theatre in the public sphere.
Meierhans has worked since 2006 on her "Jenseitstrilogie", a piece dealing with Christian, Islamic and Jewish death and mourning rituals: Part I "Tante Hänsi" was premiered in 2006, part II "Rithaa" in 2010, and part III is scheduled for 2014.
From 1998-2000 she was guest composer at the Electronic Studio of the University of Music Basel. She has received prizes and awards from the cities of Lucerne, Zug, Basel, Berlin and many more.
2000 Composer in residence at the Basel Sinfonietta.
2008 Artist in residence in Cairo, Egypt.
1989 - 2010 Commissions by MaerzMusik Berlin, Theaterfabrik Gera, Staatsoper Hannover, Lucerne Festival, Festival del Centro Histórico de Mexico City, Pro Helvetia, Experimentale Leipzig, Gare du Nord Basel, Berliner Kompositionsaufträge, Basel Symphony Orchestra, The Roosevelt Ensemble Washington, Basel Sinfonietta, Migros-Kulturprozent, Klangwerkstatt Berlin, Tage für Live Elektronik Basel et al. Audio Design for Swiss broadcaster DRS 2 and for Pro Helvetia.
2006 Founding of the ensemble dialogue, a group of musicians with a background in improvisation playing both classical and traditional folk music instruments.
1989 - 2012 Various sponsorship awards from Pro Helvetia
2010 Sponsorship award for "Rithaa" from the Bundeskulturstiftung, Germany
2008 Artist in residence in Cairo, Egypt
2005 Commission Berliner Kompositionsauftrag
2001 Composer of the week at the Europäischer Musikmonat 2001 in Basel
2001 Recognition award from the city of Lucerne
2000/1 Composer in residence at the Basel Sinfonietta
1999 3rd prize of the Glasmusikfestival in Frauenau, Germany for "Canthus to Canthus"
1998 1st prize classical jingles for Swiss Radio DRS
1997 Sponsorship award from the canton of Zug
1993 Sponsorship award for composition from the city and canton of Lucerne
1990 Work grant for composition from the city and canton of Lucerne


Work list

Triton I-VI (1989-1990)

Instrumentation: for piano solo

Duration: 10' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Abscheu vor dem Paradies (1991)

Instrumentation: for soprano, alto and viola

Texts: Karoline von Günderrode, Christina Thürmer-Rohr

Text by Karoline von Günderrode and Christina Thürmer-Rohr.

Duration: 20' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 31.80
Vagabundinnen (1992)

Instrumentation: for flute, string trio, harp (or bass), piano and electronic tape (CD/DAT or MD)

Texts: Christina Thürmer-Rohr

Based on a text by Christina Thürmer-Rohr.

Duration: 13' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 53.40
Vagabundinnen (1992-1998)

Instrumentation: for electronic tape (CD/DAT or MD) and orchestra (1.2(ca).2(bcl).2(cbn)/2.2.1.1/hp/str)

Texts: Christina Thürmer-Rohr

A version for chamber orchestra (wind quintet, strings, piano and electronic tape) is also available (1994).

Duration: 13' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 25.20
LaUtDeMiLa (1992-1993)

Instrumentation: for viola solo

Duration: 10' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Irritation I (1993)

Instrumentation: for four-handed piano

Duration: 10' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Almah (1993-1994/1999)

Instrumentation: for string quartet and walking horn

For Le Corbusier’s pilgrimage chapel ‘Notre Dame du Haut’ in Ronchamp (France). Commissioned and in cooperation with the Technical University in Zurich (ETH).

Duration: 16' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Guggisbärglied (1994-1995)
Free adaptation of a folk song

Instrumentation: for choir

Duration: 10' 00"
Manuscript
Sec''ondes (1995)

Instrumentation: for wind quintet (fl.ob.cl.hn.bn), viola and piano

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 21.00
Cordes-Ouvertes (1995-1996)

Instrumentation: for violin solo

Duration: 12' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
RéSONANCE?! (1996-1997)

Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, horn (Alphorn), violoncello and electronic (CD/DAT or MD)

After texts by Hannah Arendt.
This piece uses a half conventional score with 'cell' improvisation. All instruments are to be amplified where possible.

Duration: 21' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 15.00
4instruments2 (1997-1998)

Instrumentation: for dance, double-bass (or violoncello), thunder board and electronic tape (CD/DAT or MD)

Duration: 17' 00"

SME/EMS
Postfach 7851
CH-6000 Luzern 7
Schweiz
info@musinfo.ch
www.musinfo.ch
CHF: 15.00
Nightselves oder Meine Nacht schläft nicht (1997-2001)

Instrumentation: for large orchestra without violins (2.2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbn/3.3.3.cbtbn.cbtba/timp.6perc/va.vc.db)

After a picture and texts by Sonja Sekula.
Ensemble version (2007): Clarinet, horn, violoncello, double bass and accordion.

Duration: 25' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Canthus to Canthus (1999)

Instrumentation: for various instrumentation, voice and electronic tape (CD)

Texts: Anne Blonstein

Based on eighteen text fragments (sand.soda.lime) by Anne Blonstein.

Duration: 18' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Enigma (1999)

Instrumentation: for voice and ensemble (ob.bcl.hn/perc/vn.va.vc) tape or CD and live electronic

Texts: Ingeborg Bachmann

Based on a poem by Ingeborg Bachmann.

Duration: 13' 23"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Na? (1999)

Instrumentation: for horn and seven other wind instruments: two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets and bassoon

Duration: 15' 00"
Manuscript
sacht ä: klangheimlich (1999-2000)

Instrumentation: for bass clarinet, violoncello and prepared piano

Based on a text by Uwe Johnson. Partly interactive score.

Duration: 16' 00"
Manuscript
sacht ä: ciel'e terra (1999-2000/2002)

Instrumentation: for percussion, double-bass and prepared piano

Based on a text by Uwe Johnson.

Duration: 16' 00"
Manuscript
Cordes-Ouvertes II (1999)

Instrumentation: Electronically adapted version

Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
3 Lieder (1999-2000)

Instrumentation: for voices and percussion

Texts: Ingeborg Bachmann

'A-a' for voices and percussion.
'Orpheus' based on Ingeborg Bachmann, for voice solo (and open grand piano)
'Enigma' based on Ingeborg Bachmann, for voice solo (piano and percussion ad libitum).


Duration: 30' 00"-45' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
sacht ä: e-vent (1999-2000/2002)

Instrumentation: for alto flute, English horn and bass clarinet

Based on a text by Uwe Johnson.

Duration: 16' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
sacht ä: aequatuor (1999-2000/2002)

Instrumentation: for prepared piano, violoncello and oboe

Based on a text by Uwe Johnson.

Duration: 16' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
sacht ä: ensemble (1999-2000/2002)

Instrumentation: for prepared piano, violin, flute and bass clarinet

Based on a text by Uwe Johnson.

Duration: 16' 00"
Manuscript
sacht ä: ecco (1999-2007)

Instrumentation: for saxophone, violoncello and accordion

Duration: 14' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Différance I (2000)

Instrumentation: for large orchestra

Duration: 7' 30"
Manuscript
A - a (2000-2002)
On the trail of a hidden poem

Instrumentation: for medium voice and percussion

Duration: 15' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
4 S (2001-2002)

Instrumentation: for vocal quartet

Texts: Anne Blonstein

Based on a text by Anne Blonstein.

Duration: 20' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Der Tunnel - eine Zugbiografie (2002)

Instrumentation: for prepared piano, soprano, oboe, violoncello and playback CD

Texts: Friedrich Dürrenmatt

Based on Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

Duration: 22' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
diaphonie II (2002)

Instrumentation: for double-bass solo

Duration: 13' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
WAX - Soundscape for theatre (2002)
Electronic music

For a theatre piece about Emily Kempin Spyri.

Duration: 55' 00"
Manuscript
Prelude and Echo (2003)

Instrumentation: for black quartet (saxophone, drums, Bass/vocals, piano)

A concept composition based on five poems by Anne Blonstein.

Duration: 12' 00"
Manuscript
von Widerständen I (2003)
6 miniatures

Instrumentation: for trombone, horn, soprano saxophone, accordion, percussion and piano

Duration: 9' 00"
Manuscript
Quasar 04 (2003-2004)
Composition with youths

Instrumentation: for orchestra and playback

Duration: 10' 00"
Manuscript
Riitiseili (2003-2004)
Installation for children and adults

In collaboration with Josh Martin.

Manuscript
notstrom (2004)

Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.0.1/2perc/4.3.3.2.1), soprano, tenor, baritone, speaking voice and on-site percussion

Duration: 80' 00"
Manuscript
Drei Songs (2004)

Instrumentation: for soprano, piano, violin, percussion and tuba

Duration: 9' 00"
Manuscript
Drift (Von Widerständen II) (2004)
Study

Instrumentation: for accordion solo

Duration: 23' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Narziss und Echo (2004)

Instrumentation: for clarinet solo

Duration: 12' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
"Breitengrad Leipzig" (2005)
An accessible concert

Instrumentation: for one venue, 2 voices and ensemble (2tpt.2hn.2tbn/string quartet)

Duration: 50' 00"
Manuscript
Mela Meierhans (2005)
Film music

Instrumentation: for violin and synthesizer

Duration: 35' 00"
Manuscript
Souffle combattant (2005)

Instrumentation: for a 5 and an 8 stringed viola and ensemble (1.1.1.1/1.0.2.0/2perc/pf.cel/1.1.1.0)

"Souffle combattant" pays homage to the composition "Cordes plus" by Maurice Benhamou (*1936). Benhamou wrote "Cordes plus" in close cooperation with the violist Kurt Meyerhans who had already had a 5 and an 8 stringed viola specially made for other compositions and improvisations. "Cordes plus" was world premiered in 1974 in Bourges (Festival International de Musique Experimentale). Further performances followed in the years 1976 in Paris (Centre des Universitaires Juifs) and 1983 in Switzerland. Some members of the audience at these concerts fled the concert hall rather disgruntled. The electronic tape, the wild viola and polystyrene used in parts of the composition were too much for the ears ("Cordes plus" was created under the impression of various wars between 1967 and 1973 as well as other influences)
Commissioned by radio "Espace2" I have written this composition for Marie Schwab (who now uses the 5 and 8 stringed violas once belonging to Kurt Meyerhans) and the "Nouvel Ensemble Contemporain" using a radio recording of "Cordes plus" as a basis. In my composition:
1. is a live recording of "Cordes plus" (Radio France 1977) electronically processed, (partly) altered and played back
2. the solo viola part is based on the solo viola voice by Kurt Meyerhans
3. the ensemble is developed in a dialogue which takes as its subject the "Gleichzeitigkeit von Verschiedenheit und Gemeinsamkeit" ("Simultaneity of Differences and Similarities") by
Christine Thürmer-Rohr.
"Souffle combattant" was created purely associatively; it is a Re-Action and fragmentary (musical, political and personal) memory. The title affords a possible link: "Souffle combattant" after the etching bearing the same name by Gisèle Celan-Lestrange.

Duration: 27' 00"
Manuscript
Essays I-V (2005)

Instrumentation: for voice and piano

Texts: Nijolé Miliauskaité

Duration: 15' 00"
Manuscript
"Tante Hänsi, ein Jenseitsreigen" (2006)
A musical thaetre

Instrumentation: for ensemble (2 accordions, horn/alphorn, trombone/alphorn, dulcimer/large frame drum, 2 clarinets) and mezzo-soprano, countertenor and jodel choir

On the occasion of JENSEITS VOM DIESSEITS - DIESSEITS VOM JENSEITS from "Dìa de los muertos" with a focus on Mexico-Switzerland.

Duration: 70' 00"
Manuscript
Lose struCture (2006)
12 Etudes

Instrumentation: for (prepared) piano

Duration: 17' 00"
Manuscript
Nightselves oder Meine Nacht schläft nicht (2007)
Ensemble version

Instrumentation: for clarinet, horn, violoncello, double bass and accordion

After a picture and texts by Sonja Sekula.

Duration: 23' 00"
Manuscript
SCHATT-ie/IRR-ungen der Annemarie von Matt (2007)

Instrumentation: for 2 voices, clarinet, horn, accordion, violoncello, double bass

Texts: Annemarie von Matt

Duration: 25' 00"
Manuscript
Entzweite Gesänge (2007)

Instrumentation: for prepared piano (and obligatory voice)

Texts: Mela Meierhans

Duration: 11' 00"
Manuscript
Ohne Titel I-III (Cairo Studies) (2008)
3 Radio features

Instrumentation: for viola, violoncello, darbuka (drum) and playback

"o.t." was created during an extended trip to Kairo (Pro Helvetia's Artist in Residence programme in Egypt) and is a study for "RITHAA", part II of the JENSEITS TRILOGIE.

Duration: 19' 00"
Manuscript
" ... and the sound of a distance falling " (2008)

Instrumentation: for voice and dance

Texts: Anne Blonstein

Duration: 20' 00"
Manuscript
"wer barfuss geht, geht nicht auf rosen" (2009)
Composition and notaricon

Instrumentation: for voice, dance ad lib., clarinet, horn/alphorn, accordion, violoncello and double bass

After pictures and diary scribbles by Anna Maria Bürgi.

Duration: 25' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
preludes for voice and tuba (2009)
conceptual composition

Texts: Anne Blonstein

Duration: variabel
Manuscript
Rithaa - Ein Jenseitsreigen II (2009-2010)

Instrumentation: for ensemble

Texts: Mela Meierhans, Judith Butler

Duration: 65' 00"
Manuscript
wer barfuss geht, geht nicht auf rosen (2009)

Instrumentation: for voice, dance, clarinet, horn, accordion, violoncello and double bass

Texts: Mela Meierhans

Duration: 25' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
Twentyfive (2010-2011)
A composition after Max Frisch

Instrumentation: for soprano, mezzo-soprano and speaker

Text: Max Frisch, 25 questions from Questionnaire I (1966).

Duration: 60' 00"
G. Ricordi & Co. Bühnen- und Musikverlag GmbH
Stralauer Allee 1
D-10245 Berlin
BRD
Tel. +49 (030) 520071321
info@ricordi.de
www.ricordi.de
malina fragmente (2011)

Instrumentation: for string quartet and voice

Texts: Ingeborg Bachmann, Anna Maria Bürgi, Carolin Emcke

Duration: 25' 00"
Manuscript
"silence..." (2012)

Instrumentation: for voice and movement

After texts by John Cage and a picture by Sonja Sekula.

Duration: variabel
Manuscript
Essays VI – X (2012)

Instrumentation: for voice, movement and prepared piano

Texts: Nijole Miliauskaite

Manuscript
Discography
Nouvel Ensemble Contemporain (Grammont Porträt Nr. MGB CTS-M97, 2006)
Interpreters:
Spina, Anna
Monot, Pierre-Alain
Nouvel Ensemble Contemporain NEC
Works:
Wen, De-Qing: Quatre poésies (1999)
Meierhans, Mela: Souffle combattant (2005)
With more works of: Georges Aperghis
Info: www.fonoteca.ch
Meierhans &Rosenberger (stv/asm Nr. 25, 2004)
Interpreters:
Meierhans, Mela
Works:
Rosenberger, Katharina: WAX - Soundscape for theatre (2002)
Info: www.fonoteca.ch
Bibliography
vogel, Peter: Frauenmusik: "Das ist doch ganz normal". Interview mit Mela Meierhans und Sonja Metheson, in: Luzern heute (7. August 1997) 1 (1997), S. 15


Last updated: 2020-11-25 13:09:24