Christian Winther Christensen has several works on the program of this year's Tage für neue Musik in Zürich. The festival takes place 10-14 November and also features the Danish ensemble Athelas who will give the world premiere of Christensen's new piece Festmusik - mit japanischem Geist und deutschem Akzent (2010). The program also presents A Fall from the Perfect Ground (2004-06); a work which has established itself as one of the most successful pieces by the 33 year old composer. The piece was released in 2008 on Dacapo Records in an excellent performance by the French Ensemble Alternance. Also on the program is another recent work, Being Apu Sarkar (2009)
And the press wrote:
“Das vielversprechende Schaffen des Dänen Christian Winther Christensen ist geprägt von einer ironisch-zynischen Knappheit. Seine unverkennbare Handschrift basiert auf findigen Spieltechniken und tonalen Elementen. Da erstaunt es nicht, wenn er in der am Festival uraufgeführten «Festmusik – mit japanischem Geist und deutschem Akzent» (2010) nicht nur Richard Strauss, sondern auch Beethovens Vertonung der Ode «An die Freude» zitiert.”
[English translation: The promising work of the Dane Christian Winther Christensen is characterized by an ironic-cynical conciseness. His unmistakeable writing is based on peculiar playing techniques and tonal elements. Thus it came as no surprise when he in his new work premiered at the festival “Festmusik – mit japanischem Geist und deutschem Akzent” (2010) quoted not only Richard Strauss but also Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”.]
Neue Zürcher Zeitung