- country:Switzerland
- region:Central Europe
- style(s):Contemporary
- label:Odradek Records
- type:Composer/Songwriter
- gender:male
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, a cappella, string, woodwind, brass, singer songwriter, dance orchestra, piano
- artist posted by:Odradek Records
Line up
- Silvan Loher (composer)
I grew up as the youngest in my family with three older sisters and a fat black cat. I had a thirst for knowledge and strong artistic leanings, music being one but not the most important of them. This changed when I first heard the music of Grieg – an immense moment. I was about 10 years old. This music was like a magic potion that carried me to another world; soon I began to write down my own musical ideas at the piano. I was mostly self-taught in composition, writing and performing many pieces during my teens. I completed my Master’s Degree in Composition in Basel, and was soon busy with commissions. My music has since been performed across Europe.
My perception and creative output are influenced by great artists whom I love and admire: composers like Brahms, Grieg, Debussy, Ravel, Puccini, Janáček, Ives and Geirr Tveitt; singers from Maria Callas to Nina Simone; writers like Georg Trakl, Nelly Sachs, Edith Södergran, William Blake, Henrik Ibsen, Michail Bulgakov, Wladimir Majakowski, Whitman and Kaléko… I feel that in my work I can enter into a sort of spiritual dialogue with them.
Recent highlights include winning a special jury mention in the competition “...a Camillo Togni” in Brescia, Italy, for my clarinet quintet. My biggest forthcoming task is writing a full-length opera.