Born 1959 in Zurich, Käser produced his first compositions as a child, and had the feeling he could experience the world musically.
1978 - 1982 Studied guitar at the 'Musikhochschule Zurich / Winterthur' (Zurich / Winterthur School of Music) with diploma
1980 - 1983 Master classes
1983 - 1985 Studied composition under Hans-Ulrich Lehmann in Zurich
1985 - 1989 Studied composition under Roland Moser at the 'Musikhochschule Basel' (Basel School of Music)
1987 - 1989 Studied lute in Basel at the Schola Cantorum
Subsequent to 1990 he received his first experiences in composing and performing for theatre, he was later to become the director of his own theatre and music theatre project. Käser is the founder of various ensembles, the most recent being the improvisation trios III. VII, XII, with whom he performs as a vocalist. Mischa Käser lives as a guitar teacher, composer, director and musician in Zurich, his compositional strong points being vocal music, chamber music and musical theatre.
Prizes:
1992 Zurich sabbatical year
1996 Conrad Ferdinand Meyer Prize
1998 First prize: Prix International de Composition Musicale ' Reine Marie José' for the orchestral piece 'Ordouble'
Work list
das bild des malers M.L.N. (1983)
Instrumentation: for violin solo
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
er-schöpfung (1983-1984)
Instrumentation: for string quartet
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
suite sans jambes (1984)
Instrumentation: for harpsichord, harp, guitar and mandolin
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Tombeau (1985)
Instrumentation: for female voice, clarinet and viola
Instrumentation: for orchestra (3.3.3.2/3.3.3.1/12.10.8.8.6)
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
unmerklich reiht sich tag an tag ... (1988)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.1/12.10.8.8.6)
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
im jungen grase ... (1988-1998)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.4(ossia2).3.2/perc/man/hp.pf/12.11.8.6.6)
Requires a minimum of two conductors.
Duration: 25' 00" Manuscript
vor der unendlichen schneefläche ... (1988)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.0.0.3/1perc/12.9.8.8(ossia6).5)
Only six bars!
Duration: ' 35" Manuscript
Three Bagatelles for Guitar (1989)
Three short pieces, highly idiomatic for the guitar. The first and last are moderately difficult, whilst the middle, almost like a study in harmonics, is very difficult to play.
Three pieces for Choir to Texts by A. X. Gwerder (1990)
Instrumentation: for two mixed choirs and soprano
Texts: A. X. Gwerder
The solo soprano part is very minor. At least 23 and 16 voices are needed, ideally more; the ten-voice middle section is only performable by singers with rhythmic sobriety and diligence. Sponsored by the SME Lucerne.
Instrumentation: for baritone, orator, accordion, double-bass, saxophone, percussion and a dance duo
Texts: Thomas Huonker, Peter Zahl, Alltags- Werbe- Mediensprache
A piece requiring demanding rehearsals. The speaker should draw on his talent for rhythm. The sung sections can be performed by a tenor with a good lower register. Uses texts by Thomas Huonker, Peter Zahl, and newspaper cuttings.
Instrumentation: for ten strings (5.2.2.1) and flute
Fifteen micro-chromatic variations over a diatonic melody. Independent playing techniques required. Needs lots of rehearsing but is technically quite simple.
Instrumentation: for soprano and instrumental ensemble (flute/melodica, clarinet, piano/melodica, accordion, mandolin, violin/viola, violoncello)
Texts: Ernst Herbeck
Twenty-seven songs and four intermezzi based on the schizophrenic lyrics contained in the poems of Ernst Herbeck (Alexander). Relatively simple for the instrumentalists. In some sections, the musicians have to sing and whistle as well.
Instrumentation: for voice, oboe, piano and violoncello
Texts: Fritz Grasshoff
Song cycle based on texts by Fritz Grasshoff.songs, balladen, moritaten.
Duration: 29' 00" Manuscript
napoleonskurve (1994-1995)
Instrumentation: for chamber orchestra (2.2.2.bcl.2/2.2.0.0/2perc/6.6.4.3.3)
Four groups of instruments and a string trio are set in a rather chamber music ensemble like manner. Various tempi are layered one on top of the other. Requires two conductors.
es dünkt mein härz mich lang chli färn (1999-2000)
Scenic cantata in five parts
Instrumentation: for three vocalists, percussion, break-dancer, mechanical animals and electronic tape
Duration: 30' 00" Manuscript
Nebul (2000)
Instrumentation: for flute, clarinet, trombone and string trio
Duration: 29' 00" Manuscript
Landscape I (2000)
Instrumentation: for recorder, guitar, double-bass and percussion
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Soft morning, city! (2000)
Instrumentation: for flute, percussion and electronic tape
Duration: 12' 00" Manuscript
two carpets (2000-2001)
Instrumentation: for soprano and vocalist, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, piano, violin, viola, violoncello and double-bass
Duration: 16' 00" Manuscript
Sidney Janis Gallery (2001)
Four pictures for orchestra after Rothko
Instrumentation: for orchestra (3.3.3.3/4.3.3.0/5perc/2hp.pf/12.12.10.8.6)
Rather static compositions focussing completely on harmonics, compositions which ought to evoke four pictures (colours!) from the Rothkos Janis Gallery.
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
Seven bagatells (1999-2002)
Musical theatre
Instrumentation: for three musicians, three actors and a child
Texts: Mischa Käser
Seven scenes attempting to transpose musical forms into theatrical actions.
No rights of performance!
Manuscript
Watt (2002)
A reading with music
Instrumentation: for vocalists, recorders, double bass and actor
Duration: 40' 00" Manuscript
Mayu (2002)
Instrumentation: for 16 flutes and drums
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Etudes (2001-2003)
Instrumentation: for ensemble (1.1.1.0/0.0.0.0/acc/hp/perc/1.1.1.1; second version with additional mandolin and guitar)
Fifteen characteristic pieces varying greatly in expression and duration.
Ten concepts as muscial-theatrical installations for a minimum of four rooms. It can only be performed in the 'Haus Konstruktiv' in Zurich (premiere: 18th of September 2004).
No rights of performance (one-off!)