Austrian composer Beat Furrer, a co-founder of the influential ensemble Klangforum Wien, is shifting the boundaries of contemporary opera by prioritizing the physical expression of the human voice over traditional 19th-century narrative structures. Furrer, 71, maintains that the future of the genre lies in exploring the raw relationship between language and sound, rather than adhering to rigid, pre-existing formulas.
How Does Beat Furrer Approach the Composition Process?
Furrer describes his creative method as a search for a “space of possibilities” rather than a linear path. According to the composer, he avoids establishing formal concepts or specific materials at the outset of a project. Instead, he collects ideas based on “sound qualities” that exist in his memory before making structural or harmonic decisions. This approach contrasts with the rigid, formulaic techniques popularized by figures like Karlheinz Stockhausen in the 1960s and 70s, which Furrer has explicitly rejected in favor of a more intuitive, organic development of musical material.
Why Is the Physicality of the Voice Central to Modern Opera?
For Furrer, the voice serves as a direct indicator of a person’s physical condition, providing a theatricality that transcends simple semantic storytelling. By focusing on the tension between different languages—such as the distinct vocal requirements of Italian versus German—Furrer aims to explore “different voices in one person.” This focus on the physical act of singing aligns with his interest in the work of Morton Feldman, whose compositions, such as For Samuel Beckett, utilize long, repetitive structures to create a sense of intense, hushed expectation that pulls the listener into a “black hole” of sound.
The Evolution of Opera: Beyond the 20th Century
The debate over the relevance of opera continues to evolve. While Pierre Boulez famously suggested in 1967 that the most “elegant” solution to the stagnation of the repertoire would be to blow up opera houses, Furrer takes a different stance. He argues that opera is not bound to any specific century and can remain a vital, contemporary genre. According to Furrer, the goal is not destruction but the discovery of new possibilities for staging and vocal interaction.
Future Trends in Contemporary Music Composition
The trend toward “collecting ideas without a concept” marks a departure from the mid-20th-century obsession with complexity versus simplicity. As Andreas Karl noted in an essay on Furrer’s work, the composer’s music functions like a “river delta,” where channels meander and accumulate layers of sediment. This suggests a future where composers prioritize:
- Substance over formula: Music that is rich in potential rather than generated by rigid mathematical rules.
- Multilingual vocal exploration: Using the inherent differences in phonetics to dictate vocal writing.
- Non-semantic dramaturgy: Telling stories through the physicality of performance rather than linear scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beat Furrer’s primary philosophy on music?
Furrer believes in maintaining an open creative space where ideas are collected as sound qualities before any formal or conceptual decisions are made.
How does Furrer view the role of the voice in opera?
He views the voice as a revealer of an individual’s physical condition and a tool for exploring the complex, often non-semantic, relationships between language and theatre.
What is the significance of the Klangforum Wien?
Founded by Furrer in 1985, the ensemble was created to perform new music that was being ignored by the mainstream, effectively bypassing the ideological battles of the era.
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