Matthias Kaul


Matthias Kaul was a German percussionist and composer of classical music.
WWW matthiaskaul.de

Life and career

Born in Hamburg, West Germany, Matthias Kaul studied percussion at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and for five years was a member of the ensemble Hinz & Kunst in Hamburg. He performed as a guest musician with several orchestras of Northern Germany. From 1977 until 1980 he traveled through Africa in order to study the traditional music of the Xhosa, Samburu and Maasai tribes. In 1983 he founded the ensemble l'art pour l'art. In 1990, Matthias Kaul with the American violinist Malcolm Goldstein began performing in an improvisational duo. Matthias Kaul’s work comprises more than 100 compositions including chamber music, choral music, audio drama and opera. Since 1987, he has performed as a percussionist and glass harmonica player in various radio recordings and on festivals. Recordings of his work were published alongside those of Alvin Lucier, John Cage, Vinko Globokar and Christian Wolff. Mathias Kaul invented numerous musical instruments such as the “Matthias Kaul overtone drum” and the overtone triangle. With his wife, the flautist Astrid Schmeling, he taught a yearly composition master class for children since 1999.

Awards and recognition

  • German "Echo Klassik" Award for "Haltbar gemacht" in the category "Classical music for children"
  • "Deutscher Schallplattenpreis" for "Haltbar gemacht"
  • "Junge Ohren Award" for his composition master class for children in Winsen
  • Advancement award music education for his composition master class for children in Winsen
  • Nomination for the German Record Critics' Award for „Bread and Roses", "Toucher" and "Cover Versions"

Works

Source:

Chamber music (selection)

Concerto for panorama horn and ensemble Recycling – for 5 percussionists Stuff from Above – for 4 percussionists Wheeled – for 5 percussionists with 5 bicycles Bell Air – for 6 percussionists with 36 bells Töne – for 6 players with 18 flowerpots Salty – for accordion, double bass and playback fremd, bestimmt – for 6 vocalists with voicespeakers Some Changes – for voice, flute, guitar and percussion Delikatessen – for 3 players in a wurst shack Silence Is my Voice – for voice with voicespeaker playback Kafkas Heidelbeeren - Imaginäres Vokal- und Instrumentaltheater Listen this is for You, Kona – for percussion and feedbackbottle

Opera

RelaxKafkas HeidelbeerenElectric Bath – für einen Performer

Opera for children

Kuckuck im KofferDie Menschenfresserin
  • ''Oliver Twist ''

Audio drama

My Snare Drum gently weeps Fake Dimensions Umbauter Raum Schrammen Audible Edibles Some Rooms in my room Electric Bath – für einen badenden Schlagzeuger Das Buch der schönen Stimmen with E. Bohde Fuge mit einigen Freiheiten with E. Bohde Undine geht with E. Bohde

Discography