Professional activity: Composers, Improvisers, Interpreters, Authors
Biography
* 12. 04. 1955.
Alfred Zimmerlin was Born in Zurich and raised in Schönenwerd in canton Solothurn. After attending the "Aargauische Kantonsschule Aarau", he studied musicology and ethnomusicology under the tutelage of Kurt von Fischer and Wolfgang Laadeat at the University of Zurich, theory under Peter Benary, and composition under Hans Wüthrich and Hans Ulrich Lehmann. He participated at the "Internationalen Ferienkursen für Neue Musik" in Darmstadt and has been a co-worker for the Workshop for Improvised Music (WIM) in Zurich since 1980. In 1982 and 1984, Zimmerlin was awarded sabbatical years in conjunction with a residency in Paris by the "Aargauischen Kuratorium". In 1986 he received the music prize of the C. F. Meyer Foundation and was awarded a sabbatical year for composition by the city of Zurich in 1988. In 1999 he was awarded another sabbatical year by the "Aargauischen Kuratorium" and was invited by Pro Helvetia in 2001 to participate in their Cairo residency programme. In 2005 he received the "UBS Kulturstiftung" award. He has been a lecturer in improvised music at the Basel University of Music's Music Academy since 2010.
Alfred Zimmerlins' already substantial work catalogue contains pieces for piano, chamber music (with and without live-electronics), vocal music, orchestral music, music for theatre and works for radio and film. His key works include: "Gezeiten der Zeit" for string orchestra, "Cueillis par la mémoire des voûtes" for saxophone quartet and string orchestra, the chamber opera "Euridice singt", three string quartets, the "Neidhartlieder" for soprano and four Renaissance recorders, the "Cembalo-Buch", "In Bewegung (Nature Morte au Rideau)" for piano, string orchestra and playback CD, "Weisse Bewegung" for violoncello, piano and percussion, the Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet and "Zerstreut in Arbeit mit Wörtern" for soprano, piano and playback CD.
Alfred Zimmerlin is also an improvising musician (cello) and has performed with numerous formations in Europe and the USA. He is a member of the trio 'KARL ein KARL', a composer's collective and improvisation trio (together with Peter K Frey and Michel Seigner) that has remained in its current formation since its inception in 1983. A characteristic feature of the collective lies in the fact that all compositional decisions are taken together and responsibility carried by each member equally. There exist numerous recordings of Zimmerlin's work together with 'KARL ein KARL' and as an improvising musician.
Work list
Etudes based on a theme by Friedrich Nietzsche (1876-1878)
Instrumentation: for piano, metronome and electronic tape
1. Reflex (three large flutes, two alto flutes, two bass flutes and one contrabass flute) 2. Melody (one small flute, two large flutes, two alto flutes, two bass flutes and one contrabass flute) 3. Harmony (eight large flutes) 4. Intermezzo and Pole (one small flute, six large flutes and one bass flute) 5 Chain (one small flute, four large flutes, one alto flute, one bass flute and one contrabass flute) Commissioned by Dominique Hunziker and the 'Joueurs de Flûte'.
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Wahrnehmungsschwäche für das Tempo der Zerstörung (1987)
Instrumentation: for oboe, live electronic, female orator, improvised trombone and electronic tape
Texts: Elisabeth Wandeler-Deck
Commissioned by the city of Zurich, the film version (‘Die Farbe Des Klangs Des Bildes Der Stadt’) is by Urs Graf, Elisabeth Wandeler-Deck and Alfred Zimmerlin (1992) and is available from:
Filmkollektiv Zürich AG, Turnerstr. 26, CH-8006 Zürich.
Instrumentation: for six different string instruments, electronic and computor controlled digital synthesizer
In cooperation with Peter K Frey and Michel Seigner.
Duration: 24h 00" Manuscript
L'espace tout à coup m'irrite (1987)
Instrumentation: for percussion and string trio
The percussion has the exclusive function of time-keeper. The strings are written in space notation and contain quarter tones. A simple drum machine is necessary in one place.
Dokumentary film by Marlies Graf-Daetwyler. Music in collaboration with Claudia Ulla Binder. Pro Senectute.
Manuscript
Gänge (1988)
Instrumentation: for clarinet in B with or without live electronic
Inspired by "Raumteiler 88", a 3D work/installation by Niklaus J. Lenherr.
Three-part, conventional notation. Difficult, uses quarter and eighth-tone fingerings. Two simple multi-effect processors are used for the electronic and can be omitted altogether under certain circumstances (see score). However, a common cassette recorder is required; the sound material is provided without any particular effort by the interpreter.
"Ich selbst hatte halb und halb vor, mich über diese Tage still zu entfernen, weil mir die ewige Festbummelei anfängt die Freude an Land und Leuten zu verderben, zuvörderst an mir selbst, wie es immer geht, wenn man eine Sache übertreibt." (1989)
Instrumentation: for mixed a-cappella choir (SSAATTBB)
Texts: Gottfried Keller
Commissioned by the city of Zurich for the 100th anniversary of the death of Gottfried Keller.
Instrumentation: for clarinet in A, two violins, viola and violoncello
Seven movements, most of which are quite difficult to play, containing quarter and eighth tones and using special playing techniques. Various ways of notation, mainly to distinguish between different perceptions of the flow of time. The electronic tape accompaniment (used towards the end) can be prepared by the performer using an ordinary tape recorder.
Piano with scordatura in the octave from c'' to b''. From the perception of order and disorder, homogeny and the disparate, comprehension and incomprehension. Piano with sostenuto pedal; also requires a so-called "energy bow".
Instrumentation: for violoncello, piano and percussion
Weisse Bewegung I - Weisse Bewegung II - Stillstand I - Weisse Bewegung III - Stillstand II.
With support from the city of Zurich mayors office, the Dr. Adolf Streuli Foundation, the Hermann Suter Foundation and the ‘Fondation Christiane et Jean Henneberger-Mercier’.
Instrumentation: for transverse flute and harpsichord
Interpolation of the first movement of the sonata in a minor for transverse flute solo (Wq 132) by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Motivated by Heinrich Keller and Brigitta Steinbrecher.
Instrumentation: for choir (SSATB), orchestra (1.2.2.2/0.0.3.0/positiveorg/perc/str) and play-back CD
‘In Bewegung (La pendule de marbre noir)’ can be performed between ‘Et incarnatus est’ and ‘Sanctus’ and ‘Paysage bleu’ can be played after ‘Benedictus’ from Missa in C minor (KV 427) by W.A. Mozart, marking the point where the work remained unfinished.
This piece was commissioned by the city of Zurich for Karl Scheuber and the singing circle of the Engadine Church Choir, Zurich.
In Bewegung (La pendule de marbre noir) (2000-2001)
Instrumentation: for transverse flute and thirteen string instruments
‘In Bewegung (La pendule de marbre noir)’ can be performed between ‘Et incarnatus est’ and ‘Sanctus’ and ‘Paysage bleu’ can be played after ‘Benedictus’ from Missa in C minor (KV 427) by W.A. Mozart, marking the point where the work remained unfinished.
This piece was commissioned by the city of Zurich for Karl Scheuber and the singing circle of the Engadine Church Choir, Zurich.
'Der Graf Öderland' by Max Frisch. Dramatic sketches from the diary 1946-1949.
Radio adaptation and direction: Stephan Heilmann. Swiss Radio DRS II, Studio Basel.
Instrumentation: for clarinet in B, tenor trombone, violoncello and playback CD
Commissioned by Peter Mettler for the vernissage of the exhibition 'Rheinfallsammlung Peter Mettler' at the Klostergut Paradies, Schlatt, 23rd September 2004.
Instrumentation: for soprano, oboe, violoncello, piano and playback CD
Texts: Raphael Urweider
commissioned by the Ensemble Aequatuor.
Duration: 33' 00" Manuscript
Horizont II (2005)
Instrumentation: for alto saxophone, harpsichord and computer
Duration: 7' 30" Manuscript
Die Strasse (2005)
Music for a radio play
'Dies Strasse' by Robert Walser. Textcollage. Radio daptation and direction: Stephan Heilmann. Swiss Radio DRS II, Studio Basel.
Manuscript
Hofhuber - Ein Stück Land (2005)
Radio-play music
'Hofhuber – Ein Stück Land', radio play by Ruth Gundacker. Directed by Stephan Heilmann. Swiss Radio DRS II, Studio Basel.
Manuscript
"at the still point, there the dance is" (2005)
Instrumentation: for viola solo
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Dinge - Zeit (2005)
Musique concrète
Instrumentation: for six loud-speakers
Realised in collaboration with school children (14/15 years olds) from the classes of Reto Eglauf and Mark Fry at the 'Schulhaus Pfaffechappe' in Baden for the Historic Museum Baden.
Instrumentation: for twelve solo voices, tenor trombone, violin and percussion
Texts: Ingrid Fichtner
N°1:Ares, for violin and percussion (vibraphone, small drum, rod, whip, maracas, rolled-up newspaper)
N°2: Johann, for speaker (Johann) speaking choir, tenor trombone, violin, percussion (small drum, tubular bells in F#', shell ring, maracas), mediaeval ensemble
N°3: Wasser – Ufer: for a-cappella choir with four soli (SATB)
N°4: Selene: for violin and vibraphone
N°5: Agnes: for soprano solo (Elisabeth), alto solo (Agnes), choir, tenor trombone, violin, percussion (large drum, 3 cymbals on stands (high, middle, deep), maracas, shell ring, sandpaper block)
N°6: Zeus – Albrecht: for alto solo (Agnes), speaker (Albrecht), violin, tenor trombone, percussion (vibraphone, 3 cymbals, tubular bells in F#', shell ring)
N°7: Opfer – Tater: for soprano (Elisabeth), alto solo (agnes), choir, tenor trombone, percussion (large drum, small drum, 1 cymbal)
N°8: Kronos: for violin, percussion (large drum, 2 medium-sized pebbles)
N°9: Ite missa est, interpolation of Ite missa est aus der Messe de Tournai: for choir (6pt), tenor trombone, violin, vibraphone
N°0 (supplement); chronicle of Mathias von Neuenburg: recitative for baritone, harpsichord, male and female voices, percussion (triangle, small drum); text: Matthias von Neuenburg (14th century)
Duration: 35' 00" Manuscript
Vier Stücke für Violine und Schlagzeug (four pieces for violin and percussion) (2007-2008)
Nr.1: Ares
Nr.2: Selene
Nr.3: Zeus
Nr.4: Kronos
(from: Über dieses Wasser)
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Landschaften der Bewegungen (2007-2008)
Instrumentation: for violin, guitar and double bass (in D)