Vivian Domenjoz - Composition and music theory

Welcome!

You are missing a nice picture here... I warmly welcome you to my personal website. Here you have the opportunity to learn more about my life and my musical work as well as to download scores and texts.

News

You are missing a nice picture here...

23.02.2024: After a long break, I'm back in touch - working on my dissertation takes up a lot of time -: I've finally activated the ‹Words› section of this homepage below.

18.02.2022: The premiere of my octet ‹Recycling A.D.› will take place on March 2 in the Church of St.Laurenzen in St.Gallen.

01.03.2021: Preparations for my latest work, a commission from the Burggraben High School in St.Gallen for 5 strings, flute, trumpet and audio track, have begun. World premiere planned for spring 2022!

20.08.2020: My sextet for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, horn, guitar and cello is finally finished and is called 'Hic sunt leones'. It will be premiered on September 19th at the Schallwende festival in Feldkirch and on November 15th at Vierundeinzig in Innsbruck by the Tiroler Ensemble für Neue Musk TENM under the direction of Venelin Filipov. Schallwende - Festival für Neue Musik Tiroler Ensemble für Neue Musik

31.07.2020: The performance material of my suite for brass ensemble ‹Phrases› is now available below in the section ‹Works / Brass band & brass ensemble›.

more...

20.03.2020: I am working on a new composition, a sextet for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, horn, guitar and violoncello, which will be premiered on September 19, 2020 at the Schallwende Festival in the Theater am Saumarkt in Feldkirch.

21.11.2019: The composition work for 'Precipitation', a suite for 2 guitars, is over. A bit more notation, layout and soon a world premiere?

01.10.2019: The next annual congress of the GMTH (Society for music theory) will take place next weekend in Zurich at the ZHdK. I take over the moderation (Chair) of a lecture block: Program Saturday 17pm

30.09.2019: The performance material for my string nonet ‹... du temps perdu› can be found here below under 'Chamber music'.

03.09.2019: The French translation of this site is finally finished, as well as the editing work of my suite 'Phrases' for brass ensemble. The score and parts will soon be downloadable.

14.04.2019: My string nonet ‹…du temps perdu› will be premiered on april 25. and 26. at the Pförtnerhaus in Feldkirch, Austria. Further informations and tickets here: Pforte um 7 Pforte um 8

14.12.2018: My new home page is finally online with a new and shiny modern design!

15.10.2018: My latest composition ‹... du temps perdu› is now complete. It is for string nonet (double string quartet with bass) and was commissioned by the society ‹Musik in der Pforte› based in Feldkirch (Austria). I'm looking forward to hear it. Further information will follow in short.

Vita

You are missing a nice picture here... I was born on the 12th of September 1976 in a music interested family and grew up in the western Swiss town of Moudon. That's why I came to music early and learned to play the french horn, while I was also taking my first steps in music composition as a teenager. My first compositions were premiered by the local band and were soon played widely around. The lessons at the local music school and private theory learning brought me to join the military band and I completed my military service in the ‹Swiss Army Central Band›. During this time I made first contacts with music publishers.

After moving to eastern Switzerland I studied composition (Herbert Willi) and french horn (Josef Sterlinger) at the ‹Vorarlberg State Conservatory›, where I graduated with an Music Diploma and a Bachelor of Art degree. At the same time I conducted some youth bands, music camps and wind bands in the St. Gallen area.

My curriculum vitae and my musical talent led me to start with a study of music theory at the ‹Zurich University of the Arts› (Burkhard Kinzler, Andreas Nick), where I graduated with a Master of Art degree.

I have been a lecturer in music theory at the ‹Vorarlberg State Conservatory› since 2011, where I initiated the series ‹Reden wir über Musik› and ‹Tonsatzwerkstatt›. I am also active in the organization of the in-house ensemble for new music ‹PulsArt›. At the same time I teach composition privately.

I have been part of a research team at the ‹Institute for Interpretation› of the ‹Bern University of the Arts› since summer 2021 and am graduating in musicology at the ‹Philosophical Faculty› of the ‹University of Lausanne›.

In 2017, I got back the publishing rights to my early compositions and I am now providing my works on this home page. I have decided to make my works available for everyone, which is why they are offered here for free download.

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Works

You are missing a nice picture here... Here you can download the performance material from my works and learn more about it. These works may be freely performed, copied and distributed. Any Editing, recording, sampling, publishing, selling, renting, arrangement and instrumentation rights are reserved. If you intend to perform one of these works, I would appreciate to hear from you.

Chamber music

"...du temps perdu" (String nonet, 2018)

Suite in 4 movements for double string quartet with double bass. It is the second work, in which I present my personal research, my search for my own spectral musical language. Was premiered in April 2019 at the "Musik in der Pforte" in Feldkirch (Austria).
Duration: 18'
Score Full material

Capriccio (Clarinet quartet, 1997)

Early work for 3 clarinets and bass clarinet, in which each instrument has its own solo cadenza.
Duration: 10'
Score Full material

Chronologie (Brass quintet, 2007)

Programmatic suite in 5 movements. Each one of them describes an event of world history. The movements are motivically linked with each other in the same way as they are historically linked.
Duration: 13'
Score Full material

Early Music Reloaded (French horn trio, 2017)

"Early music reloaded" - a hoquet about the opening notes of the so called "David Hoquetus", the second voice in Machaut's "Hoquetus David". This work was written for the horn trio "Cornissima", for it participation at the national contest of "Prima la musica".
Duration: 4'30
Score Full material Audio

Feldkirch Festival Fanfare (Brass trio, 2009)

This rather unusual, "burlesque" fanfare was commissioned by the "Felkirch Festival" in 2009 and served there until 2012 as their theme tune and pause fanfare.
Duration: 1'40''
Score Full material

Oxydation (String quartet, 2010)

Short but complex sound study for string quartet, which I could one day expand into a whole suite. Was premiered for the exhibition "Make up - Design of the surface" of the Museum of Design Zurich in 2010 with the Galatea Quartet. The basic idea is to gradually decompose a sound like oxygen oxidizes a metallic surface over time. Not for beginners ...
Duration: ca. 4'
Score Full material

Quintette Moderne (Wind quintet, 2007)

This work represents an attempt to build up the popular, electronic dance music from the beginning of the 21st century into academic art. An absolutely precise rhythm is required to achieve the effects the score requires. Was premiered on March 27, 2008 by the ensemble "Slowind". Not for beginners ... (Multiphonics)
Duration: 11'
Score Full material Audio

Sketches (Saxophone quartet, 1999)

Suite in 6 movements depicting some feelings, situations or events. A early work, which was premiered by the ensemble "Les Sax'oiseaux".
Duration: 10'30
1. Allégresse (ou la joie mesquine) Audio
2. Inondations Audio
3. Le lac enchanté Audio
4. Un looser Tag Audio
5. Elle Audio
6. Final (un drôle de monde) Audio
Score Full material

Under the sign of the horns (Euphonium, tuba and piano, 2017)

A piece of pseudo-hardcore music for chamber ensemble: crazy and technically difficult for a distorted euphonium, a distorted tuba and a distorted something with keyboard. But fun is guaranteed if you want to wake up the sleepy audience promptly. Was commissioned by I and F, but never played and never paid for by them.
Duration: 5'00
Score Full material

Vocal music

L'invitation au voyage (2006)

Work in impressionistic timbres for soprano, french horn (alternative cello or bassoon) and piano over the poem of the same name by Charles Baudelaire. Dedicated to my dear mother.
Duration: 6'
Score Full material

Maiglöcklein - C'est la fin de l'été (2005)

2 female voices, alto flute, viola, french horn, piano and percussion
After the eponymous double poem by Beat Christen. As the title suggests, one voice is sung in German and the other in French. World premiere on 4 November 2008 at the "Vorarlberg State Conservatory" by the 'Ensemble Moderne Musik' under the direction of Wolfgang Lindner.
"For me, in his music language, among other things, well-known sound material sounds as new as if we had forgotten it long ago." W.Lindner
Duration: 11'
Score Full material Audio

Sententiae in poculis (2005)

Or "Sayings in the Cup" - Latin toast speeches in 7 movements for 12 soloists: 3S, 3A, 3T, 3B. Many vocal techniques are therefor required, from cry to whisper, from singing to declamation and with a hint of theatricality. Atonal and not for amateurs: well, cheers!
Duration: 11'
Score Full material

Solo instruments

Agnus dei (Great organ, 2004)

A work for "Great organ": one that has 3 manuals (and pedal) and two 1'-registers. In addition, these 1'-registers should be of similar sound character and one of them should be in the swell. The tone series for this composition were obtained from the 'Agnus dei' of the Roman Graduals. They are put together here in bold, Gothic-worthy architecture and atonal sound language and explore the boundaries of the organ and its play. Definitively not for beginners ...
This work was premiered on Juny 21, 2005 in Lucerne by Elisabeth Zawadke.
Duration: 7'
Score Audio

Concertino (Euphonium and piano, 2008)

Very demanding solo work for euphonium. Nothing for beginners ... The piano part is currently being edited. (the version with brass band accompaniment can be found under the category 'Brass band + Brass ensemble'.)

Danses pour piano et orchestre (Piano and orchestra, 2006)

Dances for piano and orchestra in one movement: pic-1-1-eh-1-b.cl.-2 4-0-1-b.pos.-0 timp.-1-1 0-0-8-6-4
The work is composed of a solo prelude, 4 imaginary dances and a final. The 'movements' flow into each other and are arranged rhythmically in ascending order. The deeply rhythmic language of the work wanders between atonality and exciting melos.
World premiere on 2 July 2008 in Feldkirch: Yunus Emre Kaya, piano, orchestra of the Vorarlberg State Conservatory under Sebastian Tewinkel.
Press comments: "Kaya captures moods with the orchestra, settles down and then rumbles on, an artistic highlight with a contemporary sound creator and a brilliant interpreter." Harald Hronek, Vorarlberger Nachrichten, 04.07.2008 "... Vivian Domenjoz, who created a vital, meaningful opus with his Danses pour Piano et orchestre ..." Anna Mika, Neue Vorarlberger Zeitung
Duration: 10'
Score Piano solo Full material Audio

Festivités (French horn, 2000)

A medium-heavy, fanfare-like solo piece for horn. This piece, in which the player has many interpretational freedom, evolves from an initial cell with quart motive. Of course, stuffed tones should not be missing.
Score Audio

Pastorale (Organ, 2011)

Small, harmonious piece for organ in late romantic style.
Duration: 4'
Score

Monologue pour violoncelle (Cello, 2003)

New music for solo cello. This virtuoso work creates a conversation between two personalities of the same instrument. What could have become a dialogue turns out to be a monologue of the same person from two different perspectives. Was first performed by Johannes Seifert in 2003 at the "Podium Konzerte Vaduz". Not for beginner ...
Duration: 5'30''
Score Audio

Rondo pour flûte seule (Flute, 2000)

Virtuoso, intimate, contemplative solo piece for flute, in which the player can present the full range of sounds of his/her instrument. Not for beginner ...
Duration: 8'
Score

Sir Galahad (Euphonium and piano, 2000)

A moderately difficult solo work for euphonium, in which echoes of old music create a special atmosphere. For the 50th birthday of my dear father composed. (A version for euphonium and brass band can be found in the category 'brass band + brass ensemble')
Duration: 8'
Score Solo part Full material

Toccata (Organ, 2005)

Toccata "dream and dance" is an intriguing piece for organ, not knowing whether to be dreamy or dancing.
Duration: 5'
Score

Symphony orchestra

Danses pour piano et orchestre (Piano and orchestra, 2006)

Huit fresques orchestrales (2008)

Contents are soon available...

Wind band

Centurie (1999)

This march was composed on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Moudon Band Society (Switzerland) and sounds stylistically strongly like a British march.
Duration: 3'
Score Full material Audio (Fassung für Brassband).

Dogern-Fanfare (1999)

This work was commissioned by the Dogern Band Society (Germany) for its 100th anniversary.
Duration: 5'
Score Full material Audio

Horizons (1999)

Typical overture for wind band, which was commissioned for the 25th music camp of the young band "du littoral neuchâtelois" in 2000. This work has been admitted in the contest list of the Swiss Band Association.
Score Full material Audio

Leaving gravity behind (2016)

Composition commissioned by the Harmoniemusik Balzers (Principality of Liechtenstein). In this work i try to combine 'ordinary' chord progressions with spectral sounds. The idea behind it came up in the middle of a process of compositional self-discovery from about 2014. Since then, my work has been based on a common thread, which has become a kind of personal research and hopefully will gradually become audible. The form is that of a sonata and was chosen as a deliberate juxtaposition to the formal mainstream of the band music scene. (Hopefully, other band composers feel driven to be more aware of their formal processes.)
World premiere on 11 November 2016 under the musical direction of Willi Büchel.
Duration: 12'
Score Full material Audio

Le mythe du capricorne (1998)

"The Myth of Aries" - a large-scale, eight-movement suite for symphonic band. Partially performed on May 7th, 2000 by the Stadtmusik St.Gallen under the direction of Albert Brunner.
Unfortunately, the score material requires a total reworking, which I would tackle if someone is interested in a complete world premiere.
Duration: 28'
Audio 1st mov. Audio 3rd mov.

Quingenti (2009)

Paraphrase on a 500 year old song. This easy work for wind band paraphrases the song "Unfall wie tust, must, du allein, mein / Ich so lang bei liben" from Johannes Heer's collection of German songs (1489-1553). Winner of the composition competition organized by the Swiss Music Association ASM and set test piece for the Federal Music Festival 2011 in St. Gallen.
Duration: 7'
Score Full material

Tonkraftwerk (2011)

A programmatic piece for youg band with a first, rather "new music" part and a second, poppy part. The startup procedure of a power plant is musically drawn. Soundtracks support this acoustically. Commissioned by Stadtmusik Bludenz (Austria) for the 10th anniversary of their young formation "Tonkraftwerk".
Duration: 5'
Score Full material For your performance: Track 1 Track 2

Variations 1835 (2005)

The work is composed of a prelude, 5 variations and the theme. The theme is the psalm "Diligam te, Domine" (I want to love you, Lord) set to music by Alberik Zwyssig in 1835. In 1841 he adapted to his psalm the text of the poem "Trittst im Morgenrot daher" (In the red dawn you are showing up) by the poet and composer Leonhard Widmer. Today it is known as the 'Schweizerpsalm' and has been declared an official national anthem by the Swiss Federal Council. Although my work bears the name of 'Variations', in terms of composition, it is more about 'transformations'.
First performed on May 11, 2008 by Stadtmusik Winterthur under the direction of Fredi Olbrecht.
Duration: 12'
Score Full material Audio

Brass band & brass ensemble

Centurie (Brass band, 1999)

Concertino (Euphonium and brass band)

Very demanding solo work for euphonium. Nothing for beginners ... (The version with piano can be found under the category 'solo instruments'.
Duration: 9'
Solo part Score Full material

Dialogue (Brassband, 2000)

Demanding, fanfare-like opening piece for brass band, actually for cornets, trombones and timpani with "accompaniment" of the remaining instruments of the band. Bach's chorale "Jesus was in chains of death" underlies this work and was used for the production of it motifs and cells.
Commissioned by Brassband Buizingen (Belgium) for its 25th anniversary and premiered on 24th September 2000 under the direction of Luc Vertommen.
Duration: 4'
Score Full material Audio

Discours & sortilège (Brass band, 1997)

"Speech and magic" for brass band: typical, brass overture. Actually an early work ...
Duration: 6'
Score Full material Audio

Fanfare für 10 Bläser (Brass ensemble, 2003)

Fanfare for brass with a delicate touch of "pop music". For 4 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 trombones, bass trombone and tuba.
Duration: 1'30''
Score Full material Audio

Phrases (Brass ensemble, 2000/2019)

Developed Suite for brass ensemble in three movements: Entrée, Scherzo, Interlude et Fugue. The last movement was premiered at the Mid Europe Festival in Schladming in 2000. The entire suite could only be completed in 2018/2019. A demanding piece, but above all very fascinating. For 5 trumpets, 2 horns, 3 trombones, tuba and 3 percussion parts.
Duration: 17'20''
Score Full material

Prologue for Brass band (1995)

As the title says: a short and concise piece for brass band.
Duration: 2'
Score Full material Audio

Sir Galahad (Euphonium and brass band, 2000)

A moderately difficult solo work for euphonium, in which echoes of old music create a special atmosphere. For the 50th birthday of the dear father composed. (A reduction for piano and a solo part in bass clef can be found in the category 'solo instruments'.)
Duration: 8'
Score Solo part Full material

The rocks above the lake (Brass band, 2014)

Four impressionistic pieces for brass band.
I. 'The wineyard mirroring' is a sound picture that tries to capture the vibe on Lake Geneva when it reflects the vineyards on a hot summer's day.
II. 'The castle on the water' is Chillon Castle, which looks like floating on the water, depending on the angle of view. In this movement, the siege and conquest of the castle on March 29, 1536 by the Bernese Soldiers is freely portrayed.
III. 'The sounding town'. Over the years, the so-called Riviera on Lake Geneva has become the scene of musically important events. Some of these are cited in this sound collage: Miles Davies at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival, 'Trittico' by James Curnow at the newly built congressional center in 1988, Jean Balissat's 'Marche de Pâques' at the 1977 Winery Festival, Charlie Chaplin's 'Spring song' '1957 and the 'Sacre' by Stravinsky in 1912.
IIII. 'To the rocks near the skies' describes an imaginary hike from the lake shore to the top of the 'Rochers de Naye' at 2042 m. It is an attraction in the area and a striking rock massif that towers over the lake.
Thus, this suite is a musical homage to the region of eastern Lake Geneva.
Duration: 10'
Score Full material

If the contents from a work listed here is not yet available, please come back in some times or contact me.

My musical work is much bigger as you can find here. If you are interested in learning more or if you have a question about a specific work that is not listed here, please contact me.

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Words

You are missing a nice picture here... In this section, I'd like to present my theoretical and music-research side, but also my critical and reflective side. You'll soon find some of my writings here, and I can well imagine something like blog entries. But all this is still in its infancy. (In the current state of my work, these documents are written in German.)

Scientific projects

Luigi Cherubini and the teaching of composition at the Paris Conservatoire

SNSF-funded project at the 'Institut Interpretation' of the 'Hochschule der Künste Bern'. The team led by Claudio Bacciagaluppi, of which I am a member, is researching Luigi Cherubini's music-theoretical works and compiling a thematic catalogue: Website

Conferences

Kontrapunkt-Traditionen (II). Lokale Traditionen und Schulen im 19. Jahrhundert

Symposium from 23 to 24 November 2023 at the 'Hochschule für Musik Mainz'. My contribution was entitled: « Aurait besoin de travailler le contrepoint ». Cherubini, das Conservatoire und der Kontrapunkt in Paris (1795–1835). A report can be read here.

Writings

Reports

Conference ‹Max Reger und das Klavier›

The report of the conference ‹Max Reger und das Klavier. Analyse – Interpretation – Performance› at the Bern University of the Arts from 14 to 16 September 2023 can be read here: Report

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