Kost Josef Berglistr. 21 b
CH-6005 Luzern (LU)
Schweiz Tel: +41 (0)41 310 74 54
Genre: Classical Music
Professional activity: Composers, Interpreters
Biography
* 02. 10. 1954 Bern, Schweizer Staatsbürger.
Born in Bern, Josef Kost studied at the Lucerne, Cologne and Basel schools of music graduating in choral conducting, organ (church music A, concert diploma for organ) and music theory. He studied composition under Jürg Baur, Robert Suter, Christobal Halffter and Edison Denissow. Since 1981 Kost teaches in the musical theory disciplines at the 'Musikhochschule Luzern' (Lucerne School of Music) where he is professor for music theory and composition. From 1986 until 2004 he conducted the Ensemble for New Music at the same institution. He has conducted as a guest at the Swiss Musicians Festival in Lucerne, the Basel Music Forum and during exchanges with the music schools in Krakau and Leipzig. He has produced LP and radio recordings (also of his own work) with various ensembles including with the 'Joueurs de flute' (Jecklin Edition JD 707 - 2) and the Lucerne Festival Strings (Armida FS 196 - 10). From 1995 until 2004 Josef Kost was also cantor (principal church musician) at the Paulus and Franziskaner churches in Lucerne where he worked with professional vocal ensembles.
Josef Kost lives in Lucerne. His works are available from the Swiss Music Edition (SME/EMS) in Lucerne.
Work list
Orgel-Partita (1981-1982)
Instrumentation: for a double manual organ
Six short, contrasting movements reflect the hymn's melody. Can be used liturgically or concertante.
Lower to intermediate level of difficulty.
Instrumentation: for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, viola and violoncello
The sextet musicalises five poems through various means e.g. the metre offers a background of incessant rhythmic variation, the rhyming scheme dictates the form even aspects of the content form the base of the instrumentation. Medium level of difficulty. Requires a conductor.
Paraphrase of the horn solos from 'Des Canyons aux Etoiles' by Olivier Messiaen
Instrumentation: for eight horns
As this is a kind of spatial music, the eight horns are positioned in a circle around the audience. A conductor is essential. Standard playing techniques but the part of the first horn is difficult.
In these compositions all flutes, from piccolo to bass flute, receive a variety of treatment being set both soloistic and chorally (two piccolo, eight flutes in c, five alto flutes in G, three bass flutes in C, one bass flute in G). Moderate level of difficulty, without any special playing techniques.
Seven small pieces (three trios, three sextets, one nonet)
Instrumentation: for instrumental ensemble (fl.cl/hn.tpt.tbn/hp/3str)
After the trios finish playing their piece, a meeting is brought about whereby three sextets and a nonet are formed - their parts are then played simultaneously. In this way the musical character of the individual parts is heard in relation each other. Only moderately difficult to play but does require the help of a conductor.
Instrumentation: for amateur choir, youth choir (both also speaking choirs), congregation, mezzo-soprano, baritone, liturgist, harp, organ and two percussion
Texts: Bibel / Liturgie
A composition in various scores based on texts from Psalms and paraphrases on the subject of creation. Both the youth and amateur choirs are accompanied by the organ or percussion instruments; the singing congregation is accompanied by harp and drums, and the female and male cantor are accompanied by marimbaphone.Intermediate to difficult level.Liturgical duration: 60'
Characterised by stark contrasts with regard to range, tempo and movement density. Virtuosic chordal passages are followed by extremely slow, soft monophonic passages. Very low register alternating with very high.
Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra. "Lot's Wife" (1995)
"Lot's Wife"
Instrumentation: for solo violin and twelve strings (3.3.3.2.1)
From the scene in the Old Testament where Lots wife transgresses while fleeing Sodom, she looks back and ossifies. The violin concerto addresses the inner mental activity. The perception of the self can be a defensive, rigid death of feeling, or it can lead to a new life. Demanding for both soloist and ensemble.
Instrumentation: for orator, vocal ensemble (3S3A3T3B) and chamber orchestra (1.1.1.1/1.1.1.1/2perc/3.0.2.2.1)
Texts: Thea Uhr
Four poems by the poet Thea Uhr from Nidwalden are recited with an accompaniment and commentary by a vocal ensemble and orchestra. The vocal ensemble has a rather difficult task, the orchestra less so.
Instrumentation: for boy and mixed choir, clarinet, harp and double-bass
Texts: Hans Leopold Davi
To stimulate moments of pause and contemplation, whether at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of life. Medium level of difficulty - also suitable for an amateur choir.
Instrumentation: for violin, guitar, double-bass and strings (4.4.2.2.0)
A major, a minor, an augmented and a diminished triad, giving all twelve tones of an octave, are woven together harmonically and melodically (serial). Predominantly modal rhythm, determinate sound room, differentiated dynamic. Three short expressionistic pieces. Difficult.
Et coeperunt loqui ("... und sie begannen zu reden ...") (1996-1997)
Instrumentation: for large amateur choir, vocal ensemble, (amateur) youth choir, solo (T and speaking role), orchestra (1.1.1.1/1.1.1.1/2perc/hp/str) and organ
Texts: Bibel / Liturgie
Music for the Pentecostal Liturgy with Latin text. Seven parts distributed throughout the service. The choir and instrumental groups are distributed throughout and incorporate the whole church room. The congregation sings (with accompaniment) four integrated Gregorian chants. Easy to intermediate level of difficulty. Liturgical performance duration: 65'.
This work uses the tonal and dynamic possibilities of a large organ. An excellent 16 foot register is necessary for an adequate interpretation.
Highly demanding.
Das Stück führt in drei Etappen von einer von einer äusserst virtuosen und lauten zu einem ruhig atmenden und leisen Schluss. Schwierigkeitsgrad: schwer.
Dreizehn Gesänge auf Texte von Eugen Gomringer (2011-2014)
Instrumentation: Mezzosopran, Bariton und Klavier
Die Vertonungen der 13 Gedichte konkreter Poesie sind auch musikalisch als Konstellationen gestaltet, wie Eugen Gomringer (*1925) seine Texte nennt. Die Bearbeitung des Materials (ein Dur-, ein Moll- ein übermässiger und eine verminderter Dreiklang) ergibt linear und vertikal immer neue Konstellationen.
Schwierigkeitsgrad: Mittelschwer mit einigen anspruchsvollen Passagen.
Duration: 20' 00" Manuscript
Kammersinfonietta Opus 9 für 15 Instrumente (2014-2015/2016)
Instrumentation: Fl / 2 Ob / 2 Kl in B / Bkl / 2 Fg / 2 Hrn / Streichquintett
Das Stück ist eine Paraphrase auf die Kammersinfonie op. 9 von Arnold Schönberg.
So, wie jene sich an die Ränder der Dur-Moll-Tonalität bewegt, berührt meine Komposition diese nicht zuletzt durch das verwendete Material, einem Dur-, Moll-, übermässigen und verminderten Dreiklang, die zusammen ein chromatisches Ganzes ergeben.
Schwierigkeitsgrad: Anspruchsvoll
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Manche Nacht (2016-2017)
Instrumentation: for choir a cappella
Texts: Richard Dehmel
komponiert im Auftrag von und für Mauro Ursprung und dem consonus vokalensemble.
Harrison Birtwistle: Ritual Fragment für kleines Orchester
Pierre Boulez: Eclat für 15 Instrumente
Edison Denisov: Drei Bilder nach Paul Klee für Ensemble
Pascal Dusapin: Umbrae mortis für Chor a cappella
Jacqueline Fontyn: Madrigale e Canzone per coro misto
Paul Glass: enfonia für Streichorchester
Heinz Holliger: Exercises for Scardanelli (part of the 'Scardanelli' cycle) for small orchestra (2(fl, 2pic).2(ca, obdam).2(bcl).cbcl.2/1(small tpt in high B).1.0.perc(xylorimba.vib.mar.17 Japanese temple bells [=rin].cym.Chinese cym.gong.water gong.tam.tom.lrge dm.superball.darabukka.bull roarer.wind tube.2sandbl.sandpaper.corrugated cardboard)(3 players)/hp.pf/str(1.1.2.2.1 [min. 5 strings].natural lute(dried leaves in a box.dried twigs.glass shards/stones in a metal mortar.sand or small stones on a tambourine.water in a bottle to pour on a well-resonating surface), tape and 4-5 female voices ad lib.