Brass, Nikolaus

STAGE WORKS

Sommertag • [2013]
chamber music theatre after the stage work by Jon Fosse
Libretto: Nikolaus Brass
Cast: elderly woman: mezzo-soprano, younger woman: high soprano, girlfriend: lyric soprano, Asle: tenor, the man/the voice: bass, the other one: Mime
clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, viola, double bass, accordion, percussion.
World Premiere: Munich, 12. 5. 2014
Sy.: 4349//Score/Vx.

ORCHESTRA WORKS

voci sommerse • [2011]
music for chamber orchestra
1. 2. 1. 1. / Pno. / Str.
World Premiere: Samarkand, 5.11.2011
Sy. 4191 // Score / Vx.

Schöpfungslied • [2011]
for cildren‘s choir, melody instruments, percussions group and youth orchestra
Text: Nikolaus Brass
group with veeh-harps, group with perc.
children’s choir / 2. 1. 2. 1. / 3. 2. 3. 1. / Hp. Perc. / Str.
World Premiere: Alteglofsheim, 25.6.2011
Duration: 19’
Sy. 4175 // *Score / Vx.

Im Offenen • [2009]
Concerto for violin, double bass and small orchestra
Vl. D.B.
1. 1. 1. 1. / 1. 0. 0. 0. / 3. 3. 2. 2. 1. od. 5. 5. 3. 2. 2.
World Premiere: Düsseldorf, 26.5.2010
Duration: 25’
Sy. 4049 // *Score / Vx.

Zeit im Grund • [2008]
Concerto for two clarinets and string orchestra (eleven solo strings)
Cl (Bassh). Cl (BCl).
3. 3. 2. 2. 1.
World Premiere: Weingarten, 9.11.2008
Duration: 39’
Sy. 3837 // Score / Vx.

music by numbers III • [2007/2008]
for violin, accordion and chamber orchestra
Vl. Acc.
2. 0. 2. 0. / 0. 0. 0. 0. / 2 Perc. / 5. 5. 4. 3. 2.
Duration: 22’
Sy. 3834 // Score / Vx.

Von wachsender Gegenwart • [2006]  
for string orchestra (nineteen solo strings)
5. 5. 4. 3. 2.
World Premiere: Munich, 10.5.2007
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3742 // Score / Vx.

L‘inferno • [2003-07]
Countryside für orchestra
4 (Picc, 2 A.Fl, B.Fl). 4 Picc. 4 (Eng.Hn. Heck). 4 (Bassh, BCl). 3 Tsax. 3 (2 CBn). / 0. 4. 4. 4. 2 Btb. / 6 Perc. / 20. 0. 8. 8. 6.
A spatial disposition of the instruments (on stage) is part of this work’s concept.
World Premiere: Munich, 14.12.2007
Duration: 25’
Sy. 3684 // *Score / Vx.

the structures of echo – lindauer beweinung • [2002]  
music for 32 voices and orchestra
choir SATB (8. 8. 8. 8.) / 2. 2. 2. 3 Tsax. 3 Barsax. 0. / 0. 3. 3. 1. / 3 Perc. / 10. 0. 5. 5. 5.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 30.3.2003
Duration: 27’
Sy. 3260 // *Score / Vx.

VOID II • [2001]  
music for saxophone, piano, percussion with orchestra
Sax. Pno. Perc.
2 (Picc). 2. 2. 2. / 0. 2. 2. 2. / 10. 0. 8. 4. 2.
World Premiere: Berlin, 22.1.2006
Duration: 36’
Sy. 3683 // Score / Vx.


ohne titel – music for string quartet • [1996/2008]
version for string orchestra
5. 5. 4. 3. 2.
World Premiere: Weingarten, 9.11.2008
Duration: 9’
Sy. 3835 // Score / Vx.

Landschaft der Vergangenheit • [1985/86]
music for orchestra
3 (3 Picc). A.Fl (Picc). 3. Eng.Hn. 3. BCl. 2. 2 CBn. / 4. 3. Btr. 3. DB.Tbn. 1. / 3 Perc. 2 Pno. Hp. / 12. 12. 12. 8. 8.
World Premiere: Donaueschingen, 14.10.1988
Duration: 28’
Sy. 3033 // *Score / Vx.

ENSEMBLE WORKS

Abschrift • [2011]
for violin, viola and eleven instrumentalists
Vl. Vla.
2 Kl (BCl). 2 Hn. 3 Vl. 3 Vc. D.B.
World Premiere: Münster, 10.7.2012
Duration: 16’
Sy. 4250 // Score / Vx.

Strahl • [2010/11]  
music for flute and eleven strings
Fl.
3. 3. 2. 2. 1.
World Premiere: Düsseldorf, 5.11.2011
Duration: 23’
Sy. 4007 // *Score / Vx.

abgewandt – Musik für Hörende • [2006]  
for chamber ensemble
Vc. Ps. Tr. 2 Perc. Pno. E-Guit.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 13.2.2007
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3734 // *Score / Vx.

signs and signals • [2004/05]  
music for seven instrumentalists
Vl. Vla. Acc. Pno. Bassh. Hn. Perc.
World Premiere: Munich, 22.2.2005
Duration: 19’
Sy. 3642 // *Score / *Vx.

last verses • [1998]
for six instruments
B.Fl. Cl. Vl. Vc. Perc. Pno.
World Premiere: Munich, 15.9.1999
Duration: 19’
Sy. 3155 // *Vx.

No • [1997]  
music for nine players
Fl. Ob. Cl (Bassett.Hn). Vl. Vla. Vc. Pno. Hackbrett. Perc.
World Premiere: Bludenz, 23.11.2001
Duration: 25’
Sy. 3596 // *Score / *Vx.

KATA • [1996/97]  
music for ensemble
BCl. Barsax. CBn. Tp. Hn. Ps.
World Premiere: Munich, 4.7.1997
Duration: 17’
Sy. 3594 // *Score / Vx.

Nachtmusik • [1978/81]  
for eight instrumentalists
Cl. Tbn. Vl. Vla. Vc. 3 Perc.
World Premiere: Boswil, Nov. 1982
Duration: 16’
Sy. 3014 // Score / *Stud.-P. / Vx.

CHAMBER MUSIC

Fifth string quartet with two obligate clarinets • [2013]
2 Vl., Vla., Vc, 2 clarinets
World Premiere: 22. 11. 2013, Hannover
Sy: 5375// Score

Lieder vom Erwachen • [2012]
intermission II
for accordion and string quartet  
Acc. 2 Vl. Vla. Vc. D.B.
World Premiere: Schwaz, 16.9.2012
Sy. 4285 // Score

Dialoghi d' amore VII • [2011]
for violin und guitar
Vl., Guit.
World Premiere: 18. 8. 2013, Hersbruck
Sy: 4203// Score

TON • [2011]
for piano und double bass
Pno. D.B.
World Premiere: Schleißheim, 10.7.2011
Duration: 12’
Sy. 4202 // *Score

twombly music 2 • [2011]
for clarinet, guitar und accordion
1. Orpheus; 2. Apollo and the Artist; 3. Mars and the Artist; 4. Venus
Vl. Vla.
Sy. 4205 // Score

unknown • [2010]
for organ and sheng
Org. Sheng.
World Premiere: Munich, 5.2.2011
Duration: 19’
Sy. 4128 // *Score

Spur • [2010]
for two clarinets and string trio
2 Cl. Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Cologne, 11.2.2011
Duration: 22’
Sy. 4065 // Score

Ruf • [2009/10]
for horn, basset horn, violin, viola and double bass
Hn. Basset.Hn. Vl. Vla. D.B.
World Premiere: Munich, 27.6.2009
Duration: 28’
Sy. 3929 // Score / Vx.

Salut II • [2009]
for trumpet and trombone
Tr. Tbn.
World Premiere: Mönchengladbach, 23.5.2009
Duration: 6’
Sy. 3997 // *Score

Dialoghi d‘amore VI • [2009]
for two clarinets
2 Cl.
World Premiere: Bonn, 1.9.2010
Duration: 10’
Sy. 3975 // *Score

Glanz • [2009]
Second string trio
Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Munich, 29.7.2009
Duration: 17’
Sy. 3979 // *Score

Nachschrift • [2009]
for viola and violoncello
Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 4.2.2010
Duration: 7’
Sy. 3999 // *Vx.

Dialoghi d‘amore III • [2008]
for accordion and piano
Acc. Pno.
World Premiere: Karlsruhe, 3.12.2009
Duration: 7’
Sy. 3903 // *Score

Dialoghi d‘amore IV • [2008]
for oboe, clarinet in B and trumpet in C
Ob. Cl. Tr.
World Premiere: Munich, 10.12.2008
Duration: 17’
Sy. 3930 // *Score

string quartet No.4 (IV. string quartet) • [2008]
2 Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Weingarten, 8.11.2008
Duration: 55’
Sy. 3836 // *Score

Schatten • [2007]
for horn and accordion
Hn. Acc.
World Premiere: Trossingen, 12.6.2007
Duration: 15’
Sy. 3802 // *Score

songlines II • [2007]
Dialoghi d‘amore I
for two violins
2 Vl.
„songlines II” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I, Intermission, songlines III-VI and epilogue. „songlines II” was integrated as „Dialoghi d‘amore I” in the 4th movement of the 4th string quartet.
World Premiere: Stockholm, 22.2.2008
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3745 // *Vx.

songlines VI • [2007]
Dialoghi d‘amore II
for violin and viola
Vla. Vl.
„songlines VI” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I, Intermission, songlines II-VI and epilogue.  
World Premiere: Eriwan (Armenia), 29.10.2008
Duration: 10’
Sy. 3747 // *Vx.

songlines IV • [2006]
for violin und double bass
Vl. D.B.
„songlines IV” ” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I-II, Intermission, songlines III, songlines V-VI and epilogue.  
World Premiere: Munich, 11.10.2006
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3748 // *Vx.

lost and found • [2005]  
music for saxophone quartet
Ssax. Asax. Tsax. Barsax.
World Premiere: Munich, 7.10.2005
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3698 // *Vx.

twombly music • [2005]
for violin, e-guitar and accordion
1. Orpheus; 2. Apollo and the Artist; 3. Mars and the Artist; 4. Venus
Vl. E-Guit. Acc.
Material on request
World Premiere: Digne-les-Bains, 23.10.2005
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3697 // Score

Echofantasie für P. K. • [2004/2005]  
music for accordion and organ
Acc. Org.
World Premiere: Vienna, 10.4.2006
Duration: 13’
Sy. 3641 // *Score

erinnern und vergessen • [2004]
Third string quartet
2 Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Munich, 25.9.2004
Duration: 28’
Sy. 3488 // *Score

a due • [2003]
music for accordion und violin
Acc. Vl.
World Premiere: Digne-les-Bains, 19.10.2003
Duration: 25’
Sy. 3595 // *Score

seven thoughts • [2001]  
for piccolo flute, accordion and percussion
Picc. Acc. Perc.
World Premiere: Munich, 11.10.2003
Duration: 8’
Sy. 3592 // *Vx.

music by numbers II • [1999/2006]
for clarinet and piano
Cl. Pno.
Also see version for violin and piano, also for violin and accordion (adaptation: Hugo Noth).
Version for soprano saxophone and accordion on request.
World Premiere: Hamburg, 9.9.2006
Duration: 16’
Sy. 3757 // *Score

string quartet No. 2 (II. string quartet) • [1999/2000]
2 Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Munich, 8.10.2005
Duration: 40’
Sy. 3157 // *Score

kenosis • [1999]
for brass trio
Fl. Ob. Cl.
World Premiere: Witten, 7.5.2000
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3156 // *Score

music by numbers • [1998]
for violin and piano
Vl. Pno.
Version for violin and accordion on request (adaptation: Hugo Noth) with variable duration (20-40 minutes).
Also see version for clarinet and piano.
World Premiere: Munich, 8.5.1999
Duration: 99’
Sy. 3154 // *Score

ohne titel • [1996]  
music for string quartet
2 Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Munich, 27.9.1996
Duration: 9’
Sy. 3258 // *Score

Salut / Adieu • [1996]  
Two pieces for flute/alto flute
Fl (A.Fl).
Part oft he series „NEUE KLANG SPIEL FORMEN”
Duration: 9’
Sy. 2714 // *Score

Salut / Adieu • [1994/2008]  
Two pieces for trumpet (Salut) and trombone (Adieu)
Tr. Tbn.
World Premiere: Weingarten, 7.11.2008
Duration: 9’
Sy. 3945 // Score

Salut – Veni – Adieu • [1994/1998]  
music for two flutes and piano
Fl (A.Fl). A.Fl. Pno.
„Salut” for flute and „Adieu” for alto flute can also be performed independently.  
World Premiere: Munich
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3707 // *Score

Salut / Adieu • [1994/1997]  
Two pieces for clarinet
Cl.
Part of the series „NEUE KLANG SPIEL FORMEN”
World Premiere: Munich
Duration: 9’
Sy. 2713 // *Score

Salut – Veni – Adieu • [1994]  
music for oboe/english horn, alto flute and piano
Ob (Eng.Hn). A.Fl. Pno.
„Salut” for oboe and „Adieu” for alto flute can also be performed independently.  
World Premiere: Lindau, 27.10.1996
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3623 // *Score

Spielzeug • [1993/2012]  
music for two accordion players
1. Los; 2. Strichpunkt; 3. Gelb und Blau; 4. Du sollst mich nicht schrecken; 5. Gar nichts; 6. Weggeblasen; 7. Ab
2 Pno.
World Premiere: Munich, 25.5.2012
Duration: 16’
Sy. 4302 // Score

Spielzeug • [1993]
music for two piano players
1. Los; 2. Strichpunkt; 3. Gelb und Blau; 4. Du sollst mich nicht schrecken; 5. Gar nichts; 6. Weggeblasen; 7. Ab
2 Pno.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, Duration: 16’
Sy. 3985 // Score

TRIO • [1989/91/97]
for violin, violoncello und piano
Vl. Vc. Pno.
World Premiere: Munich
Duration: 37’
Sy. 3076 // *Score

Morgenlob • [1981/83]  
for violin, viola and violoncello
Vl. Vla. Vc.
World Premiere: Angers (F), 12.6.1984
Duration: 18’
Sy. 3032 // *Score / *Vx.

Passatempi • [1978/80]  
for two pianos
2 Pno.
World Premiere: Cologne, 20.3.1981
Duration: 28’
Sy. 3034 // *Score

VOCAL MUSIC

Tranströmerlieder • [2013-2014]
for deep voice and piano
World premiere: Bad Kissingen, 2015
Duration: 28’
Sy. 4398

fallacies of hope – deutsches requiem • [2006-2013]
Music for 32 voices in four groups with text projections ad lib. Text projections after: Peter Weiss: Ästhetik des Widerstands
choir SATB (8. 8. 8. 8.)
Duration: 24’
World Premiere: 7. 2. 2014, Stuttgart
Sy. 3743 // Score / choir-p.

Stimme und Tod • [2009]
music for seven voices
1. Preambulum; 2. Stimme und Tod - choir 1; 3. Stimme und Tod I - Praeambulum; 4. Stimme und Tod II - Praeambulum; 5. Stimme und Tod II - Tractus; 6. Stimme und Tod II - Praeambulum; 7. Stimme und Tod II; 8. Stimme und Tod III - prologue; 9. Nichts; 10. Stimme und Tod IV - choir 2; 11. Stimme und Tod IV - intermezzo; 12. Stimme und Tod IV - duets; 13. Stimme und Tod – choir-epilogue
2 S. Ms. Altus. T. Bar. B.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 12.2.2011
Duration: 35’
Sy. 4004 // *Score

Erlkönig • [2008]
Scene for three voices
Text: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
S. Ms. A.
World Premiere: Kassel, 14.11.2008
Duration: 5’
Sy. 3963 // *Score

Music for Augustinus • [2004/05]  
for mixed choir and two percussionists
I. Introitus; II. Meditation I; III. Meditation II; IV. Zwischenmusik; V. Gebet
Text: Bibel (Korinther I, 22-31); Augustinus
choir (SATB). 2 Perc.
World Premiere: Schwäbisch Gmünd, 15.7.2005
Duration: 30’
Sy. 3682 // *Score / *choir-P.

Dialoghi d‘amore VIII • [1997]
for eight voices and four clarinets
2 S. 2 A. 2 T. 2 B. / Cl. 2 Basshr. BCl.
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3984 // Score / Vx.

Lingua • [1996/2000]
for four voices
Text: Nikolaus Brass; Bible (Book of Wisdom)
S. A. T. B.
World Premiere: Munich, Duration: 12’
Sy. 3983 // Score

Emerge tu recuerdo de la noche en que estroy • [1991]
Madrigal for four female voices
Pablo Neruda
2 S. Ms. A.
World Premiere: Graz, Duration: 22’
Sy. 3982 // Score

Liebeslieder • [1987]
for mezzo-soprano and piano
Text: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (from „West-Eastern Divan”)
Ms. Pno.
World Premiere: Hombroich, Duration: 18’
Sy. 3987 // Score

Rose-Ausländer-Lieder • [1986]  
for four female voices
Text: Rose Ausländer
4 female Vx.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, Duration: 8’
Sy. 3292 // *Score

Traumrede • [1981]
for vocal quartet
Text: Friedrich Hölderlin („Brot und Wein”); Das Hohelied Salomo (Luther); Paul Celan („Ägypten”; „Corona”)
S. A. T. B.
World Premiere: Amsterdam
Duration: 20’
Sy. 3986 // Score

SOLO WORKS

Stücke für leere Hände • [2011]
11 Benediktionen for piano
Pno.
World Premiere: Munich, 25.5.2012
Duration: 16’
Sy. 4238 // Score

Benediktionen • [2010/11]
for soprano solo
World Premiere: Munich, 26.3.2011
Duration: 12’
Sy. 4204 // Score

Dialoghi d‘amore V • [2010]
for piano
Pno.
Duration: 20’
Sy. 4150 // Score

Flucht • [2009]
for double bass
D.B. (4-string).
Duration: 8’
Sy. 3998 // Score

Trennzeichen • [2009]
for accordion
Acc.
World Premiere: Fürstenfeldbruck, 20.6.2009
SpielDuration: max. 20’
Sy. 4027 // *Score

songlines V • [2007]
for violoncello
Vc.
„songlines V” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I, Intermission, songlines II-IV, songlines VI and epilogue.  
World Premiere: Weingarten, 7.11.2008
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3756 // *Score

Epilog (to songlines-cykle) • [2006/2007]
for double bass solo
D.B. (5-string).
„Epilog” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I, Intermission and songlines II-VI.
World Premiere: Hamburg, 1.12.2007
Duration: 10’
Sy. 3771 // *Score

Prolog – Intermission – songlines III • [2006/2007]
for viola sola
Vla.
„songlines III” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines I, Intermission, songlines II, songlines IV-VI and epilogue.  
World Premiere: Munich, 24.3.2007
Duration: 29’
Sy. 3746 // *Score

songlines I • [2006]
for violin solo
Vl.
„songlines I” can be performed separately or as a cycle with prologue, songlines II, Intermission, songlines III-VI and epilogue.  
World Premiere: Hamburg, 1.12.2007
Duration: 12’
Sy. 3744 // *Score

VOID • [1999]
for piano
Pno.
World Premiere: Munich, Duration: 13’
Sy. 3153 // *Score

Ich / Jetzt • [1996/2008]
Text composition for one player
Text: Nikolaus Brass
St (w. Perc).
World Premiere: Munich, 30.6.2008
Duration: 5’
Sy. 3921 // *Score

Lautschrift – Texte, die Lage besprechen • [1984/85]
music for one percussionist
Perc.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 4.2.2010
Duration: 16’
Sy. 3031 // *Score

Lieder auf der Flucht • [1983]
Piano music II
Pno.
World Premiere: Stuttgart, 1983
Duration: 16’
Sy. 3988 // Score

*25 Oct 1949 Lindau / Bodensee

First published compositions while still at school in Lindau (Kahnt-Verlag). After matriculation in 1968, studied medicine in Munich; simultaneously, private composition studies with Peter Kiesewetter at the Musikhochschule in Munich. After a scholarship in Scotland, continued medical studies and civil-service examination at the Free University, Berlin. Here again, accompanying composition studies with Frank Michael Beyer at the Hochschule für Musik, and later private studies with Helmut Lachenmann in Hannover. Several years of clinical activity as a doctor. Since 1982, edits a medical journal.

Between 1980 and 1986 repeatedly a student at the Darmstadt Summer Courses, including decisive meetings with Morton Feldman. 1981 invited to the Gaudeamus Festival in Holland for the vocal composition “Traumrede”; in the same year, composition prize of the Jürgen Ponto Foundation for the string trio “Morgenlob”, and performance of the composition “Passatempi” for 2 pianos at WDR Cologne’s “Musik der Zeit”. 1982 invited to the Composers’ Seminar in Boswil, for the ensemble composition “Nachtmusik”. Subsequently performances at Cantiere d’arte in Montepulciano (1986), the Donaueschingen festival (1988) with the orchestral composition “Landschaft der Vergangenheit”, Musikprotokoll Graz (1991), musica viva Munich (1997), Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik (2000), and eclat – Festival für neue Musik Stuttgart (2001) with the orchestral composition “similar sounds”.

In 2003 the composition “structures of echo – lindauer beweinung” for 32 voices and orchestra was premiered by the SWR Symphony Orchestra and the SWR Vokalensemble of Stuttgart, conducted by Rupert Huber. In 2006 his “VOID II” for three soloists and orchestra was premiered during Ultraschall festival in Berlin.

In 2007 Alexander Liebreich conducted the world premiere of “Von wachsender Gegenwart” [“Of Growing Presence”] for string orchestra in Munich, a work commissioned by Münchener Kammerorchester. In december 2007 Brass’ new orchestral work “l’inferno”, a “landscape” for orchestra will be premiered by Hans Zender, conducting the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks.

For several years Brass has been working on his music theater project “Die Abdankung” [“The abdication”]. Several features on Brass’ music and by Brass himself have been broadcast by German radio stations. Recently three portrait CDs with chamber and orchestral music have been released on the labels col legno and NEOS.

In 2009 Brass was awarded the Music Prize of the Regional Capital Munich for his compositional output.