News Archive (since March 2022)

 

Premieres / Particular Performances

Posted in March 2024

FLIGHT in Celebration Concert

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow performs FLIGHT in another concert celebrating their 30th anniversary on Sunday, 21 April, in Sinstorfer Kirche (Sinstorfer Kirchweg 21, Hamburg)


Posted in January 2024

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 2nd March, 18:00

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.


Posted in January 2024

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 2nd March, 20:30

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.


Posted in January 2024

SATURN in SPACE BLACK program on 3rd March

by Kammerkoret Aurum (dir. by Eva Holm Foosnæs): Kammerkoret Aurum once again welcomes you to one of our unique concerts in the dark. This time with a focus on outer space. When the sense of sight is allowed to rest, the other senses come more to life. We want to play with new soundscapes, both spatially and visually. Parts of the concert will take place in complete darkness. he repertoire is a mixture of Norwegian and European contemporary music, and ranges from several composers such as Evija Skuke, Michael Ostrzyga, Ståle Kleiberg, Elisabeth Anvik, Phillip Glass and others.


Posted in November 2023

"Viaje, vida" (2nd Movement of a cappella cycle "Mariposa")

The concert project by Chamber Choir Consono directed by Harald Jers, which was planned for October 28, and in which my "Viaje, Vida" would have been premiered, was unfortunately cancelled.


Posted in September 2023

"FLIGHT"

Ensemble vocal directed by Cornelius Trantow will premiere "FLIGHT" for chorus a cappella in a concert celebrating their thirtieth anniversary on February 3, 2024 in Hamburg. "Flight" is dedicated to Ensemble vocal and Cornelius Trantow.
Cast: Kammerkoret Aurum, Eva Holm Foosnæs


Posted in September 2023

"EVENT HORIZON"

"Event Horizon" will be performed on February 3, 2024, in Hamburg by Ensemble vocal as part of their 30th anniversary concert which will also feature the premiere of "FLIGHT".
Cast: Kammerkoret Aurum, Eva Holm Foosnæs


Posted in July 2023

Requiem completion at Festival de Saintes (France)

My completion of Mozart's Requiem will be performed by soloists from the Opéra national de Paris Academy, jeune chœur de paris and Jeune Orchestre de l'Abbaye directed by Léo Warinsky at Festival de Saintes in April 2024.


Posted in May 2023

IUPPITER at Internationaler Kammerchor-Wettbewerb Marktoberdorf

IUPPITER will be performed by Chandelier Choir from Indonesia at acclaimed Internationaler Kammerchor-Wettbewerb Marktoberdorf 2023.


Posted in April 2023

Wind Resonances at 20. Deutsches Chorfestival Lübeck 2023 and St. Katharinen in Hamburg

From June 23th to 25th 2023 the 20. Deutsches Chorfestival Lübeck 2023, organized by Verband Deutscher Konzertchöre, brings together choirs, conductors, singers and choir-enthusiasts from all over the country. Europäischer Kammerchor directed by Michael Reif will perform my "Wind Resonances" in the festival's "Lange Nacht der Chormusik" on Saturday, June 24th 2023 three times (at 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30) in St. Jacobi and after that travel to Hamburg to perform it in St. Katharinen.


Posted in March 2023

"Event Horizon" to be premiered

"Event Horizon", commissioned by World Symposium on Choral Music 2023 in Istanbul, will be premiered on April 27th 2023 in a gala concert by Sofia Vokalensemble (Stockholm) directed by Bengt Ollén. The new piece is based on an original text written by Welsh author Euan Tait in collaboration with me especially for the new composition.


Posted in February 2023

"ALLEIN" for Vocal Sextet

StimmGold Vokalensemble premieres "ALLEIN" (based on a song by Max Reger) as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel" on March 12 2023, 19:00, in Frieden Christi (Helene-Mayer-Ring 23) München and performs it several times in Southern Germany (concert calendar of Stimmgold)


Posted in January 2023

Piano works

In a piano recital on May 24th 2023, in Aula of University of Cologne, Christoph Schnackertz will combine several of my compositions for piano solo with music by J. S. Bach (partly in transcriptions for Piano, by Busoni and Liszt). My newest piece for piano solo, "Selden Rüst", will be premiered.


Posted in January 2023

URANUS

"Uranus" for chorus a cappella, commissioned by hamburgVOKAL directed by Matthias Mensching will finally be premiered on June 25th 2023 (and performed again on July 1st 2023) in Hamburg in a concert titled "ferne welten" (faraway worlds). The programm also includes my a cappella piece "Farout".


Posted in October 2022

"Lichtungen" to be premiered

"Lichtungen" for chorus and orchestra, commissioned by Alte Oper Frankfurt will be premiered on April 29th 2023, 19:00, in Alte Oper Frankfurt, performed by Enthusiastenchor Chor and Orchester der Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt directed by Florian Lohmann.


Posted in July 2022

Mozart Requiem

Zürcher Sing-Akademie and Freiburger Barockorchester, directed by Florian Helgath, perform my completion of Mozart's Requiem in Tonhalle Zürich on Sept 10th and in Klosterkirche Rheinau on Sept 11th. Soloists are Jenny Högström, Ursina Patzen, Tamas Henter, and Yves Brühwiler.
Cast: Zürcher Sing-Akademie, Freiburger Barockorchester, Florian Helgath


Posted in March 2022

Nordsee-Tagebuch I for Piano Solo

A Piano Recital as part of the Klavierfestival Lindlar (https://www.klavierfestival-lindlar.de/) combines many of my compositions for piano solo combined with music by J. S. Bach (partly in transcriptions for Piano, by Busoni and Liszt). My four-part cycle "Nordsee-Tagebuch I" will be premiered. Christoph Schnackertz performs.
Cast: Christoph Schnackertz


Posted in March 2022

For the Girl in the Cave of Horror

Junges Ensemble Berlin commissioned a new work in two parts to be inserted between the parts of Heinrich Schütz' Musikalische Exequien. Premiere will be on November 13th 2022, Samariterkirche Berlin Friedrichshain, as part of their programm Schütz350. The new work might be described as the Musikalische Exequien for the Girl whose 6000-year-old remnants have been found in the so-called Cave of Horror (near the Dead Sea) in 2021.
Cast: Junges Ensemble Berlin dir. by Vinzenz Weißenburger


 

Commissions / Invitations

Posted in August 2023

President of the Jury in the 6th IFCM Choral Composition Competition (2023/2024)

I was President of the Jury in the 6th International Competition for Choral Competition organized by the International Federation of Choral Music. Esteemd fellow composers Tracy Wong (Canada/Malaysia), Eric Banks (USA), Ana Maria Raga (Venezuela), and Özkan Manav (Türkiye) and I were the jury members.


Posted in November 2022

Invitation to the World Symposium on Choral Music ístanbul 2023

I am invited to the World Symposium on Choral Music ístanbul 2023 to present my choral compositions in a "meet the composer" session on April 28th 2023, 14:30-15:30.


Posted in October 2022

Invitation to the ACDA 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio

I am invited to the ACDA (American Choral Directors Association) conference 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA) to hold a panel on my completion of Mozart's Requiem.


Posted in October 2022

New Work: "Event Horizon"

World Symposium on Choral Music 2023 in Istanbul commissioned a new piece to be premiered by in April 2023 by Sofia Vokalensemble (Stockholm) directed by Bengt Ollén. The new piece will be titled "Event Horizon" and is based on an original text written by Welsh author Euan Tait in collaboration with me especially for the new composition.


Posted in May 2022

"Allein" / "Gott des Himmels"

StimmGold Vokalensemble commissioned "Allein" (inspired by a song by Max Reger) and an arrangement of organ chorale "Gott des Himmels und der Erden" by Max Reger, both pieces for Vocal Sextet, to be premiered and recorded on CD in 2023 as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel".


Posted in May 2022

Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016

For a forthcoming CD of Kölner Vokalsolisten I am writing a new piece about my memory of a special day hiking to and through Tall Trees Grove in Northern California. Recordings take place in autumn 2022.


Posted in February 2022

Uranus

hamburgVOKAL commissioned Uranus for choir a cappella. The premiere had to be postponed due to the pandemic and is now scheduled for June 24th 2023 in Hamburg.


Posted in February 2022

New Work: "Lichtungen"

Alte Oper Frankfurt commissioned a new piece for chorus and orchestra to be premiered on April 29th 2023.


Posted in January 2022

Mars & Venus

via-nova-chor München commissioned Mars and Venus for choir a cappella to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The concert had to be delayed due to the pandemic and now is scheduled for July 2nd 2023.


 

Publications

Posted in August 2023

"Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016" to be released on CD

Kölner Vokalsolisten recorded a concert program titled "Elements". I wrote "Tall Trees Grove, March 1st 2016" for vocal sextet specifically for this program. Genuin Records will release the program on CD and streaming services in 2024.


Posted in March 2023

"ALLEIN" for Vocal Sextet released

"Allein" (based on a song by Max Reger) is out now on streaming services, performed by Vocal Sextet StimmGold Vokalensemble as part of the project "150 Jahre Max Reger und der Klimawandel", released by Spektral Records. CD is due March 15th 2023.


Posted in October 2022

Sheet music: New choral works

Helbling publishes "Thine eyes", "And a Star over all (Two John Masefield Songs)", "CGV", and "Pulchra es" in the upcoming months.


Posted in September 2022

CD Recording

Kölner Vokalsolisten recorded "Tall Trees Grove, March 1st" for vocal sextet for a CD release in 2023.


Posted in June 2022

Edition of Mozart's Requiem Fragment, newly completed

Bärenreiter released my completion of Mozart's unfinished Requiem fragment.


Bärenreiter


Posted in June 2022

Sheet music: New choral works

Helbling publishing house releases several new compositions, such as "By the numbers", "Crossing the Bar", "Farout" (commissioned by chor.com 2021) and "Excelsis" for chorus and organ (commissioned by Collegium Vocale Hannover).
Helbling publishing hous


 

Conducting

Posted in March 2023

Brahms: "Ein Deutsches Requiem"

I will conduct Brahms' "Ein Deutsches Requiem" on June 17th at Tivoli Vredenbrurg.


Posted in January 2023

Bach's Johannespassion (1725 Version)

On April 1st (19:00) and 2nd (16:00) 2023 I conduct Bach's Johannespassion, Version II from 1725, in Trinitatiskirche Koeln. Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra at University of Cologne, Elisabeth Menke (Soprano), Bettina Schaefer (Alto), Frederik Schauhoff (Baritone), Stefan Sbonnik (Tenore, Evangelist), Thomas Bonni (Bass, Jesus).


 

Chorus Master

Posted in July 2023

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2024

I will be chorus master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2024, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Alte Oper Frankfurt, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, and Kuppelsaal Hannover


Posted in May 2023

Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms

Join us on August 27th 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for the season opener of the Gürzenich Orchester directed by Francois-Xavier Roth at the Cologne Philharmonic. As Chorus Master, I prepare the Bürgerchor for the program titled 'HINAUF,' featuring Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms and Mahler's Symphony No. 4.


Posted in October 2022

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2023

I serve as Chorus Master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2022, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Kuppelsaal Hannover


Posted in July 2022

Bürgerchor

This summer I have the pleasure to be part of a new project launched by the Gürzenich Orchestra. I will assemble and prepare a choir with singers from the Cologne area to perform Beethoven's 9th with the Gürzenich Orchestra, directed by Francois-Xavier Roth, as season opener in August 2022.


Posted in April 2022

The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams Tournee 2022

I am Chorus Master for the "The Sound of Hans Zimmer & John Williams" Tournee 2022, run by Alegria, for the concerts in Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Philharmonie Köln, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Philharmonie Essen


Posted in March 2022

Marcus Schmickler, Schreber Songs

I will prepare Kölner Vokalsolisten for the premiere of Marcus Schmickler's "Schreber Songs" (Kammermusik mit szenischen Elementen und Live-Elektronik, Kompositionsauftrag von ACHT BRÜCKEN | Musik für Köln, gefördert durch die Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung). Concert will take place on April 30, 2022 in WDR Funkhaus am Wallrafplatz, Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal
Cast: Kammerkoret Aurum, Eva Holm Foosnæs


 

Miscellaneous

Logo Ostrzyga

© 2024 Michael Ostrzyga