Furrer 70

Dive into Beat Furrer's creative life-world ("Lebenswelt") through the lens of 5 perspectives in multi-layered dimensions:

Compositions, concept of time, speech, residences, library

With his compositions at the heart, complemented by conversations, films and texts, this collection extends an invitation to discover Furrer's oeuvre. His concept of time conveys the notion of a unique musical language that – intricately intertwined – constantly evolves and renews itself. The affinities of musical and linguistic elements unfolding in his music along the lines of his creative career are also tracing the changes of contemporary music (Neue Musik) and its interpretation over time. Speech in its sonification reaches new realms hitherto unheard of and expands the spectrum of possibilities – never resolving to a final conclusion. Furrer's places of residence and his personal library offer invaluable insights into his sources of inspiration, his thinking and his work process as a composer.

"Beat Furrer represents the fundamental cornerstone on which Klangforum Wien was founded. As a conductor, composer, mentor, and long-time companion, he has repeatedly set the course for Klangforum Wien anew. The project FURRER 70, dedicated to his 70th birthday, aims to capture the act of creation of new music through a rich array of facets."
– Peter Paul Kainrath, Artistic Director Klangforum Wien

‍

"Even in his densest and most agitated music, (…) I can still sense this feeling of yearning; it goes beyond just focusing on each note. Details and forms merge and blend, and the yearning feeling persists even after the concert. One feels downright animated by it, which is an effect that only truly good music can have."
- Vera Fischer, flute (Klangforum Wien)

A shared culture of sound, developed with the ensemble since its inception, stands as a paradigmatic and unique testament to a timeless oeuvre of grand orchestral forms, emotionally charged compositions for music theatre, and delicate, colorful virtuosity.

For the first time, the vast panorama of Beat Furrer's oeuvre is comprehensively portrayed in this media box set. In an unprecedented way, it invites listeners to an all-embracing experience of his music.

"With Beat Furrer, there’s this unique congruence between who he is and what he does."
- Dimitrios Polisoidis, Viola (Klangforum Wien)

Furrer 70 Online – furrer70.klangforum.at

Furrer 70 marks the launch of Klangforum Wien’s new hybrid portal: hybrid.klangforum.at

This innovative online platform introduces a specially designed virtual space for a novel form of storytelling — a digital universe that opens pathways into the world of contemporary music, moving beyond the boundaries of ubiquitous streaming platforms. Furrer 70 Online serves as the prototype for this visionary experience, offering universal access to the rich treasures of the collector’s box set.

What’s Inside the Media Box?

6 CDs

18 key works selected by Beat Furrer from his oeuvre for new recordings with Klangforum Wien, conducted by himself – setting a timeless standard in the interpretation of his own music:

Nuun (1995), Concerto for Violin (2020), Concerto for Clarinet (2020), Concerto for Piano (2007), spur (1998), Retour an Dich (1986), apoklisis (2004), cold and calm and moving (1992), in mia vita da vuolp (2019), La bianca notte (2013), invocation VI (2003), Spazio immergente III (2019), Xenos III (2010/2013), linea dell’orizzonte (2012), intorno al bianco (2016), Gaspra (1988), à un moment de terre perdue (1990), Begehren (2001/2003)

3 Films

Three film documents (on a specially designed flash drive) provide a close-up encounter with Beat Furrer's sources of inspiration and his creative universe: hiking in the Gesäuse mountains or in his ‘composing room’, we can witness the flow of time as his thoughts and his work process unfold. In an extensive conversation with founding members of Klangforum Wien, the long-standing collaboration with the ensemble is explored, and Furrer's stance as a composer becomes tangible.

2 Books

A “Music Book” delves into Furrer’s sonic landscapes of the selected compositions with new essays and introductory texts. A “Book of Books” invites readers into Beat Furrer's personal world of literature: Books are points, land-marks, promises, and atmospheres that refer to things beyond themselves. A comprehensive index of his library collection is accompanied by Furrer’s very own reflections on selected volumes that have lined his life to date.