Recherche-Échange
Recherche-Échange per due viole
I, II, II Toccata, IV Canto
The four movements of Recherche-Échange are in a way a musical reflection of my first contact with the viola da gamba. Like in a ricercare, I try to explore the possibilities of the instrument as well as those of the musical material. The ideas are passed from one viol to the other, there is a constant exchange between the two, almost like in a conversation. The movements are linked through common material and the character at the end of each piece ideally leads seemlessly into the next one.
Marius Malanetchi, Mirela Penalver, viola da gamba
Accademia Musicale Chigiana 2025
Concerto del corso di composizione per strumenti antichi
Simone Fontanelli, docente
2 September 2025, Palazzo Chigi Saracini, Siena, Italy
Copyright © 2025 by Christian Wenzel
My love is as a fever
My setting of Shakespeare's sonnet 147 for mixed choir focusses on the aspect of love as obsession.
A “feverish” texture opens the piece and sets the mood for the whole song.
In the end all that is left is utter madness: incomprehensible muttering, moaning and groaning.
Orpheus Vokalensemble
directed by Bo Holten
European Forum For Young Choral Composers
Ochsenhausen, Germany
Summer 2012
© 2012 Christian Wenzel
Klage, Marsch, Choral
"Klage, Marsch, Choral"
nach Texten von Adolf Wölfli (1864 - 1930)
für gemischten Chor, zwei Trompeten und zwei Posaunen
Auftragskomposition für das pourChœur Vokalensemble Basel
Mitwirkende:
pourChœur Vokalensemble
Sarah Gross, Christoph Herrmann - Trompete
Kevin Austin, Damian Stepaniuk - Posaune
Marco Beltrani, Samuel Strub - Leitung
Aufnahme der Uraufführung 9.Mai 2015, Eventuelle Querfeld, Basel
Chaconne/Thema/Variation 1
Chaconne | Thema, quasi una sarabanda | Variation 1
Based on a simple chord progression, the first movement explores possibilities of multilayered meters.
In Variation 1, the process of tuning down the guitar a quarter tone is integrated seamlessly into the music.
Sherborne Summer School of Music 2022
Composers' Workshop
Sherborne, England
Musicians:
Dana Lewis Howell, clarinet
Kevin Loh, guitar
Alasdair Wilson, Cello
Christian Wenzel, piano
Malcolm Singer, conductor
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Klinische Studie
A short study for two pianos and accordeon in which I explore the possibilities of multilayered fifths in a rather clinical way. Although the basic material is quite reduced the resulting chords are of a surprising variety. Through changes in instrumentation and chord spacing some chords can be perceived from different perspectives although the pitches stay the same. A quite "novemberish" barrenness and desolation that inspired the piece therefore becomes something more hopeful and creative.
First performance: Basel, 2014