Beat Furrer
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Works

(by genre and chronological)
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Opera / Music Theatre

Die Blinden. Chamber opera in one Act based on texts by Maurice Maeterlinck, Platon, Friedrich Hölderlin and Arthur Rimbaud (1989). – Premiere Wien 25.11.1989
3 mezzo-sopranos, 2 female voices, 6 male voices, SSSSAAAATTTBBBB​ / fl., 2 cl. - tpt., 2 tbn., tuba - Perc. (3) - Vln., Vla., 2 Vc., Cb.

Narcissus. Opera in six scenes based on Ovids Metamorphosen (1992/1994). – Premiere Graz 1.10.1994
soprano, 2 voices, SSAATTBB / 2 0 2 Sax. 1 - 2 2 2 1 - Perc. (3) - Hp., Pn. - Str.: 2 Vln., 2 Vla., 2 Vc., 2 Cb.

Begehren. Music Theatre based on texts by Cesare Pavese, Günter Eich, Ovid and Vergil (2001/2003). – Premiere concertante Graz 5.10.2001 / staged Graz 9.1.2003
female voice, male voice, spoken voice, mixed choir (12 voices) / ​1 1 2 (also B. Clar; 2. also Cb. Clar), Sax (T. Sax and S. Sax), 0 - 0 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn - 2 Vln, Va, Vc, Cb

Invocation. Opera based on »Moderato cantabile« by Marguerite Duras, Ovid and Cesare Pavese (Libretto and translation by Ilma Rakusa and Beat Furrer) (2003). – Premiere Zürich 6.7.2003
soprano, SATB / 2 (1. also B. Fl), 1, 3 (1. and 2. also B. Clar), T. Sax (also S. Sax), 1 (also CBn) – 1, 1, 1, 0 – Perc (3) – Pn – Str (2 V, Va, Vc, Cb)

Fama. Music Theatre in eight scenes for ensemble, eight voices and actor based on texts by Beat Furrer, Carlo Emilio Gadda, Lukrez and Arthur Schnitzler (2005). – Premiere Donaueschingen 14.10.2005
female voice, SSAATTBB / 2 (1. also B. Fl, cb.fl, Picc, 2. also Picc), 1,2 (also B. Clar), T. Sax, 1 (also CBn) - 1 2 2 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - Str (2 V, 2 Va, 2 Vc, Cb)

Wüstenbuch. Music Theatre based on texts by Händl Klaus, Ingeborg Bachmann, Antonio Machado and Lukrez and Papyrus Berlin 3024 (2010). – 
Premiere Basel 15.3.2010
2 sopranos, 2 actresses, vocal ensemble (with solo parts): 2 mezzo-sopranos, 4 baritones (2 high, 2 low) / 2 (also Picc, also B.Fl), 1, 2 (also B. Clar, also cb.Clar), Bar. Sax (also S. Sax), 1 (also CBn) - 1, 1, 1, 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - Str

La bianca notte. Opera based on texts by Dina Campana and Sibilla Aleramo (2013). – Premiere Hamburg 10.5.2015
soprano, mezzo soprano, baritone, bass baritone, bass solo, mixed choir / 3 (2. also A. Fl, Picc, 3. also B.Fl, Picc), 2, S. SAx, T. Sax, 3 (also B. Clar, 3. also cb. Clar), 2, CBn – 3 4 3 1 – Pn, Acc, Hp – 3 Perc – Str (10 10 8 6 4)

Violetter Schnee. Opera. Libretto by Händl Klaus, based on a libretto by Vladimir Sorokin, translated to German by Dorothea Trottenberg (2018). - Premiere Berlin 13.1.2019
2 sopranos, 2 baritones, bass bariton, actress, mixed choir / 3
(also Picc, also B.Fl) 2 3 (also B. Clar, also cb.Clar) 3 - Sax (Bar and Sopr) - 3 4 4 1 - perc (2), pn, acc - 12 10 8 6 4

Orchestra



​Tiro mis tristes redes for orchestra (1984).  – Premiere Hannover 10.11.1986
2 2 3 2 - 2 1 2 0 - Perc (2), Pn, Vl1 (5), Vl2 (5), Vla (4), Vc (4), Cb
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Chiaroscuro for orchestra (1983/1986). For R. H. R. [Roman Haubenstock-Ramati]. – Premiere Wuppertal 22.1.1987
4 3 4 4 - 4 2 4 1 - Perc (2), Pn - Str (12 12 8 8 6)

Dort ist das Meer – nachts steig ich hinab for choir and orchestra (1985/1986). – Premiere Genf 19.8.1986
3 2 4 3 - 4 3 3 1 - Perc (2), Pn (2), e.org, Str (4 4 6 6 4)

Risonanze for orchestra in 3 groups (1988). – Premiere Berlin 8.12.1989
group A: 2 0 2 2 - 2 2 2 1 - Str (4 4 4 4 4); group B: Perc (3); group C: (amplified) alto fl, bass cl, Vln, Vc, Cb


Studie - Übermalung (1990)​ for orchestra. – Premiere Graz 5.10.1990
4 4 4 4 - 4 4 4 1 - Perc (2), T. Sax, Str (8 10 8 10 8 10 6 8 6)

Face de la chaleur for flute, clarinet, piano and orchestra in four groups (1991). – Premiere Wien 27.10.1991
group A: 2 tpt, 2 tbn - 2 Vln, Vla, Vc, Cb - Perc; Goup B: alto fl (G), 2 cl - 2 Vln, Vla, Vc, Cb - Perc; group C: 2 alto f l(G), cl - 2 Vln, Vla, Vc, Cb - Perc; group D: 2 tpt, 2 tbn -2 Vln, Va, Vc, Cb - Perc

Madrigal for orchestra (1992). – Premiere Zürich 4.4.1992
3 2 3 2 - 4 3 4 0 - Perc (4) - hp, Pn - Str (12 12 10 8 6)

Orpheus’ Bücher for choir and orchestra (2001). – Premiere Donaueschingen 21.10.2001
1 1 1 B. Clar, Sax (T. Sax and S. Sax), 0 - 0 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn - Str (solistisch: 2 V, Va, Vc, Cb / 8 8 6 6 4)

andere stimmen for violin and orchestra (2003). – Premiere Graz 28.11.2003
V-solo / 2 1 2 (also B. Clar), T. Sax, 0 - 2 2 2 0 - Perc (3) - Pn - Str (6 6 4 4 3)

canti notturni for two sopranos and orchestra (2006). – Premiere Hamburg 5.5.2006
2 S-solo / B. Fl, 0 0 2 B. Clar, 0 - 2 (also 2 Trb), 2, 0, 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - Str (8 8 6 6 4)

Phaos for orchestra (2006). – Premiere Stuttgart 21.5.2006
2 (1. also B. Fl and Picc, 2. also Picc), 1, 3 (2. and 3. also B. Clar), 1 T. Sax, 2 (2. also CBn) - 2 2 2 0 - Perc (3) - Acc, Pn - Str (8 8 6 6 4)

Konzert für Klavier und Orchester (2007). – Premiere Köln 1.11.2007
Pn-solo / 2 (both also Picc), 1, 3 (2. and 3. also B. Clar), 1 T. Sax, 2 (2. also CBn) - 2 2 2 0 - Orchester Pn - Acc - Perc (3) - Str (8 8 6 4 3)

Apon for orchestra and voice (Text by Händl Klaus) (2009). – Premiere Donaueschingen 18.10.2009
2 (also Picc and B. Fl), 1, 2 (both also B. Clar, Cb. Clar), Bar. Sax (also S. Sax), 0 2  CBn - 2 2 2 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - Str (VI 1-8, VII 1-8, Va 1-6, Vc 1-5, Cb 1-4)

strane costellazioni for orchestra (2013). – Premiere Frankfurt 20.9.2013
3 (2. and 3. also Picc) 2, 3 Clar (3. also B. Clar, CBn), 1 S. Sax, 2, CBn - 4 3 3 0 - Perc (3) - Pn, Acc - Str (8 8 6 6 4)

passaggio for choir and orchestra (2014). – Premiere Madrid 8.4.2014
SSAATTBB / 3 (2. and 3. and Picc) 2, 3 Clar (3. also B. Clar, Cb. Clar), 1 S. Sax, 2, CBn - 4, 3, 3, 0 - Perc (3) - Pn, Acc - Str (8 8 6 6 4)

zwei Studien for orchestra (1989/1990). - Premiere Witten 26.04.2015
2,2,3 (BClar), Sax, 2, contraforte (or contra bassoon) - 2,2,2,1 - perc (2) - hrp - pn - acc - str (6,6,5,4,3)

Nero su Nero for orchestra (2018). - Premiere Vienna 14.6.2018

3 (also Picc, also B.Fl) 2 3 (also B. Clar, also cb.Clar) 3 - Sax (Bar and Sopr) - 3 4 4 1 - perc (2), pn, acc - 12 10 8 6 4

Schneeszenen for two sopranos and orchestra (2019). - Premiere München 8.3.2019
Prolog, Scene 25, Intermezzo, Scene 22 from the opera "Violetter Schnee"
2 sopranos / 3 
(also Picc, also B.Fl) 2 3 (also B. Clar, also cb.Clar) 3 - Sax (Bar and Sopr) - 3 4 4 1 - perc (2), pn, acc - 12 10 8 6 4​  

Konzert für Violine und Orchester (2020) 
Premiere Munich 18.10. 2020
violin solo/ 1 (also Bfl.), 1, 2 (also Bcl), 1(also cbsn),   2, 2, 2,   acc.-perc.- strings

Klarinettenkonzert (2020) Premiere Paris December 2020 
Solo clarinet/ 2 (also Bfl), 2, 2 (also cb. cl),  2 (also cbsn)  – 2, 2, 2,  piano, 2 perc -strings

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Ensemble

Ensemble for four clarinets, two pianos, vibraphone and marimba (1983). – Premiere Wien 14.5.1984

Sinfonia per archi for string orchestra (1984). – Premiere 1985

Illuminations for soprano and chamber ensemble (1985). – Premiere Frankfurt 3.11.1985
soprano / fl, 2 cl - 2 tbn - Perc (2-3) - Pn - Vc (2 or mc.ar), Cb (1 or mc.ar)
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In der Stille des Hauses wohnt ein Ton for chamber ensemble (1987). – Premiere Frankfurt 30.3.1989
1 0 2 0 - 0 1 2 1 - Perc (2), Pn, Vln, Vla, Vc (2), Cb

Gaspra for ensemble (1988). – Premiere Wien 14.3.1989
fl, cl, Perc - Pn - Vln, Vla, Vc

à un moment de terre perdue for ensemble (1990). – Premiere Erlangen 25.9.1990
fl, 2 cl, T. sax (Bb), tpt, 2 tbn, tuba - Perc (2), Pn - Vln, Vla, Vc, Cb

Narcissus-Fragment for 26 musicians and two voices (1993). –  Premiere Frankfurt 10.1.1993
2 voices / 2 0 2 1 - 2 2 2 1 - Perc (3) - Hp, Pn, Sax - 2 Vln, 2 Vla, 2 Vc, 2 Cb

Narcissus-Suite (1996). – Premiere Salzburg 21.8.1996

Scenes III.1, IV-VI from the opera "Narcissus"
2 0 2 1 - 2 2 2 1 - Perc (3) - Hp, Pn, Sax - 2 Vln, 2 Vla, 2 Vc, 2 Cb

nuun for two pianos and ensemble (26 musicians) (1996). – Premiere Salzburg 16.8.1996
2 1 3 1 - 2 2 2 0 - Perc (3), Sax, Vln (2), Vla (2), Vc (2), Cb(2)

still for ensemble (1998).
– ​Premiere Zürich 6.12.1998
1(Picc), 1, 1(B. Cl), T. Sax (S. Sax), Trp, Pos - Perc (2) - Pn - 2V, Vc, Vc, Cb

Ein Lied, das über das Ende des Liedes hinaus ein anderes Ende finden wollte for ensemble (2000). – Premiere 2001
2 1 2 1 - 1 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn - 2V, 2Va, Vc, Cb

Invocation III for soprano and ensemble (2004). – Premiere Innsbruck 17.9.2004 

Soprano solo / Fl, 2 B Clar - Trp, Trb - Perc (1) - Pn - 2 V, Va, Vc, Kb

recitativo for voice and ensemble (2005) (excerpts from FAMA). –  Premiere Köln 3.4.2005
1 (and B. Fl), 1, 2 (also B. Clar), T. Sax, 1 - 0 1 2 0 - Perc (2) - Pn - Str (1 1 1 1 1)

antichesis for 14 strings (2006). - Premiere Luzern 10.9.2006
4 4 3 2 1

Konzert für Klavier und Ensemble for piano and ensemble (2008)– Premiere Paris 12.1.2008
solo Pn - 2 (both also Picc), 1, 3 (2. and 3. also B. Clar), 1 T. Sax, 2 (2. also CBn) - 2,2,2,0 - Perc (3) – Pn, Acc - Str (1 2 2 2 1) 

lotófagos II for two sopranos and ensemble based on texts by Händl Klaus and Antonio Machado (2008). – Premiere Paris 20.6.2008
cbfl, Acc, 2 V, Va, Vc, Cb

Xenos for ensemble (2008). – Premiere Frankfurt am Main 11.10.2008 
2 (also Picc or B. Fl), 1, 2 (both also B. Clar, cb. Clar), Sax (S. Sax and B. Sax), 0, CBn - 1 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - 2 V, Va, Vc, Cb

Xenos II for ensemble and voice (text by Händl Klaus) (2009). – Premiere New York 12.9.2009
2 1 1 B. Clar, Bar. Sax, 0 - 1 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn, Acc - VI, VII, Va, Vc, Cb (Cb 5 strings)

Xenos III for two percussion players and strings (2013). – Premiere Wien 1.3.2010
Perc (2) - 6 V, 4 Va, 4 Vc, 2 Cb 

linea dell’orizzonte for ensemble (2012). – Premiere Donaueschingen 21.10.2012
Clar in B (also BClar), Trp in C (also Picc. Trp), Trb, V, Vc, Pn, E-Git, Perc (2) 

La bianca notte for soprano, baritone and ensemble based on texts by Dino Campana and Sibilla Aleramo (2013). – Premiere Frankfurt 21.11.2013
S-solo, Bar-solo / 2 (2. also B. Fl), 2, 3 (2./3. also B. Clar), S. Sax, 2 (2. also CBn) - 2 2 2 1 - Perc (3) - Hp, Pn, Acc - Str (2 1 2 2 2)

Canti della tenebra for mezzo-soprano and ensemble based on texts by Dino Campana (2013). –  Premiere München 7.2.2014
2 (2. also Picc and A. Fl), 2, 2 (also B. Clar), cb. Clar (also B. Clar), 1, CBn - 2 2 2 1 - Perc (2) - Hp, Pn, Acc - Str (2 2 2 2)

Spazio immergente III for soprano, trombone and strings (2019) (text by Lucretius). –  Premiere Hamburg 7.5.2019
S-solo, Trb-Solo /  8 V, 4 Va, 3 Vc, 2 Cb 


Choral

Dort ist das Meer – nachts steig ich hinab for choir and orchestra (1985/1986) (text by Pablo Neruda). – Premiere Genf 19.8.1986
4S, 4A, 4T, 4B, 3 2 4 3 - 4 3 3 1 - Perc (2), Pn (2), e.org, Str (4 4 6 6 4)
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Ultimi cori for mixed choir (four voices) and three percussion players (1989) (text by Guiseppe Ungaretti). – Premiere Graz 21.10.1989
4S, 4A, 4T, 4B or 8S, 8A, 8T, 8B, Perc (3): Vib, Mar, 2 timp, b.d, 3 t-tam, 3 t-tom, t. bells

Stimmen for mixed choir and four percussion players (1996) (text by Leonardo da Vinci). – Premiere Witten 25.4.1999

Psalm »Gloria tibi Domine« for mixed choir a cappella (eight voices) (1997). – Premiere St. Lambrecht 1998

voices – still for mixed choir (four voices) and ensemble (2001) (text by Vergil). – Premiere Salzburg 12.4.2001
mixed choir SATB / 1(Picc) 1 1(Bcl) - T.Sax (S.Sax) ,Trp, Trb - Perc (2) - Pn - 1 1 1 1 1

Orpheus’ Bücher for choir and orchestra (2000) (text by
Cesare Pavese, Ovid, Vergil). – Premiere Donaueschingen 21.10.2001
mixed choir SATB / 1 1 1 B. Clar, Sax (T. Sax and S. Sax), 0 - 0 1 1 0 - Perc (2) - Pn - Str (solo instruments 2 V, Va, Vc, Cb / regular strings 8 8 6 6 4)

enigma for mixed choir a cappella in four groups (text by Leonardo da Vinci) (2007). –  Premiere Graz 16.2.2007

Enigma II and III for mixed choir a cappella (texts by Leonardo da Vinci) (2009). – Premiere Graz 12.2.2009

Enigma IV for mixed choir a cappella (text by Leonardo da Vinci) (2010). – Premiere Graz 5.11.2010

Enigma V for choir a cappella (text by Leonardo da Vinci)
(2012). – Premiere Paris 26.10.2012

Enigma VI for mixed choir a cappella (text by Leonardo da Vinci) (2013). – Premiere Graz 15.11.2013

Enigma VII for mixed choir a cappella (text by Leonardo da Vinci) (2015). – Premiere Witten 25.4.2015

passaggio for choir and orchestra (2014) (text by Leonarda da Vinci). – Premiere Madrid 8.4.2014
SSAATTBB / 3 (2. and 3. also Picc) 2, 3 Clar (3. also B. Clar, Cb. Clar), 1 S. Sax, 2, CBn - 4, 3, 3, 0 - Perc (3) - Pn, Acc - Str (8 8 6 6 4)
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Herbst for choir a capella (2015) (text by Lucretius).  - Premiere Dortmund 2.10.2015

Spazio immergente II for 2 x 16 voices and percussion (text by Lucretius) (2016). - Premiere Stuttgart 6.2.2016 

a sei voci for 6 femal voices (text by 
Claudio Monteverdi from Orfeo et Coro delle Baccanti) (2017). - Premiere Switzerland, Teatro del Tempo 20.8.2017

Chamber Music

Irgendwo. Fern (old title: und irgendwo fern, so fern) for two pianos (1984). - Premiere 1984 or earlier version 1983

Poemas for mezzo-soprano, guitar, piano and marimba (1984). – Premiere Wien 8.10.1985

1. Streichquartett for string quartet
(1984). – Premiere Venedig 29.9.1985 

Wie diese Stimmen 
(or sometimes Stimmen) for two violoncelli (1985-1986). – Premiere Frankfurt 30.3.1989

Duo for two violoncelli [Titel before 1995: Chant] (1985). – Premiere Wien 7.5.1985

Trio for flute, oboe or saxophone and clarinet (1985). – Premiere Wien 12.12.1985

Music for Mallets for xylophone, marimba and vibraphone (1985). – Premiere Wien 13.6.1985

Retour an Dich for violin, violoncello and piano (1986). – Premiere Hamburg 10.10.1986

... y una canción desesperada for three Guitars (1986). – Premiere Wien 29.4.1987

Epilog for three violoncelli (1988). – Premiere Neuberg/Mürz 5.11.1988

Epilog, version for contrabass clarinet, two violoncelli, percussion and voice (1988). –  Premiere Salzburg 16.4.1989

2. Streichquartett. for string quartet (1988) – Premiere Köln 7.10.1989

Aer for piano, clarinet and violoncello (1991). – Premiere Martigny 11.10.1991

Für Alfred Schlee for string quartet (1991). – Premiere Wien 18.11.1991

… cold and calm and moving for flute, harp, violin, viola and violoncello (1992). – Premiere Zurich 1992

Lied for violin and piano (1993). – Premiere Köln 16.5.1993

Time out 1 for flute, harp and strings (1995). – Premiere Davos 12.8.1995

Quartett for four percussion players (1995). – Premiere Frankfurt am Main 26.9.1995

Time out 2 for flute, harp and strings (1995/1996). – Premiere Baden 9.5.1996 

presto for flute and piano (1997). – Premiere Berlin 1.3.1998

a due for viola and piano (1998). – Premiere Rotterdam 17.1.1998

spur for piano and string quartet (1998). – Premiere Wien 8.11.1998 

Aria for soprano and six instruments (1999/2001) [clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, viola and violoncello] based on a text by Günter Eich. – Premiere Witten 24.4.1999

auf tönernen füssen for voice and flute based on a text by Friederike Mayröcker (2000). –  Premiere München 8.11.2000


invocation III for soprano and flute (2004) - Premiere unknown.

invocation VI for soprano and bass flute (2003) (Scene VI of the opera invocation. - Premiere 2003

Sei Venuta di Marzo for string quartet and vocal quartet (2003) (text by Cesare Pavese). – Premiere Stuttgart 24.9.2003

3. Streichquartett. for string quartet (2004) – Premiere Witten 25.4.2004

apoklisis for two bass clarinets (2004). – Premiere Wien 14.12.2004

fragmentos de un libro futuro for soprano and guitar quartet (2007) (text by José Ángel Valente). – Premiere Graz 5.10.2007

lotófagos for soprano and double bass (2006). - Premiere Berlin 23.01.2007

Dunkler Gesang. arrangement of a fragment of Wüstenbuch
for accordion, bassflute, violin, violoncello, manuscript is lost, premiere date unknown

... ferner Gesang ... for clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2012). - Premiere 2012

Ira – Arca for bass flute and double bass (2012). – Premiere Wien 3.11.2012 

Canti della tenebra for mezzo-soprano and piano based on texts by Dino Campana (2012). – Premiere Oslo 7.9.2013

Spazio immergente for soprano and trombone (2015). - Premiere Salzburg 28.11.2015

intorno al bianco for clarinet and string quartet (2016). - Premiere Florence 14.11.2016


in mia vita da vuolp for soprano and saxophone (2019). - Premiere Sur En Ardez 14.9.2019

Streichquartett Nr 4 (2020) 

Klavierquartett (UA 7.5.2022 Wiener Konzerthaus)
 
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Solo

Frau Nachtigall for violoncello (1982), Premiere 1982

voicelessness – the snow has no voice for piano (1986). – Premiere Frankfurt 4.4.1987

Stimme – allein for baritone based on Leonce und Lena by Georg Büchner (1997). –  Premiere Berlin 10.9.1997

solo for violoncello (2000). – Premiere St. Moritz 27.8.2000

Phasma for piano (2002). – Premiere Witten 28.4.2002

Melodie – fallend for piano (2002). – Premiere 2003

Drei Klavierstücke for piano (2004). – Premiere Dortmund 23.7.2004

Studie for piano (2011). – Premiere Bolzano/Bozen 26.8.2011

Kaleidoscopic memories for doublebass and electronics (2016). - Premiere Paris 27.6.2016 
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