Bio
Introduction | The Musician | The Educator | Producing & Consulting | Artist Collaborations | Radio and Press | Current Projects | Acorda! New Orchestral Album Release | Time? What’s Time? | Some Highlights | Amazonica | Vienna Philharmonic Documentary | Chamber Music Performances | Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion | Children’s Musical Theatre | Opera Viva! | Cantiga de Ninar | Rhythmic Fission | Film Scoring
Introduction
The multifaceted Composer and Music Producer MIGUEL KERTSMAN makes his mark on the international music scene with prolific compositions and critically acclaimed productions spanning the boundaries of conventional music genres.
Central to his compendium, Miguel Kertsman has composed a notable range of works reflecting his individual musical ideas; and produced an array of albums across the music spectrum from Orchestral, Operatic, and Chamber Music, to Experimental, Jazz, and other forms.
Having music as a true universal language translates into an incredibly versatile career with Kertsman composing works for the Concert Stage, or performing at premiere venues in New York, Rio de Janeiro, London, Vienna, Sao Paulo, Chicago, Bonn, Zurich, and others.
The Musician
“Being on stage or in the studio making music, whether conducting an ensemble or orchestra, rehearsing or performing a recital, engaging the audience into a trance no matter if Symphonic, Jazz, Electronic, or otherwise…
…or simply sitting back and savoring a premiere or performance of a work — all that is simply wonderful, and very gratifying indeed.”
“We, musicians, are lucky people, and at the same time charged with a difficult task, since earning one’s keep making music is no simple matter. Making music and sharing is our way to celebrate what we have been given, and hopefully in the process modestly contribute to make our world a better place, and help others with the gift of music.”
Miguel has an extensive discography as studio musician, arranger, and conductor on recordings by other artists (Tom Tom Club — former Talking Heads, Tommy Page, ABC, House Music DJ legends Frankie Knuckles, David Morales, Mark Kamins, etc.) among others. His electronic music bass lines, lush string arrangements and “acid piano solos” have been heard on numerous tracks and remixes worldwide, and inspire electronic music enthusiasts to this day.
Academic Development, Master Classes & Teaching
Miguel Kertsman is developing and leading a new international Masters of Arts Program in Music Composition and Production for Film and Media at the Danube University in Austria
He has served as Faculty and Artist-in-Residence at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy teaching Sound Design, Synthesis, Acoustics, Aesthetics of Music for the Media, and advanced studies in Music Production & Audio Engineering. He also worked on projects as music technology facilities consultant, music producer and film scoring composer.
Tribeca Flashpoint is a state-of-the-art, inter-disciplinary School focusing on Film and Broadcasting, Recordings Arts, Visual Effects and Animation, and Interactive Game Design, headed by visionary entrepreneur Howard Tullman, in partnership with Robert de Niro’s Tribeca Enterprises in New York.
Mr. Kertsman has consulted on Music Technology and Curriculum Integration for prestigious Institutions of Higher Learning such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, Yale University School of Music, and The Academy at Carnegie Hall.
Recent invitations as guest lecturer or for Master Classes include Northwestern University, Chicago; University of Vienna, Berklee College of Music, Boston; Pernambuco State Conservatory, Brazil, and others. Miguel has taught at the Juilliard School, Pre-College Division, in New York as substitute instructor for Dr. Elena Braslavsky, and has coached and/or guided established musicians, singers, and conductors during recording sessions for international record releases.
Producing & Consulting
A multi-continental career has produced numerous recording projects including Grammy-nominated and Award-winning records of Orchestral, Chamber, Early, Vocal, and World Music, Jazz, and mature Pop. Miguel Kertsman has held record label posts as producer, Artist & Repertoire (A&R) executive, managing director, and chief engineer.
Consulting efforts include Academic Development and Music Technology Facilities Programming including acoustical spaces.
Clients have included: Sony Classical, RCA Victor Group, Chesky Records, EMI Classics, Sanctuary Group, Vox Music Group, Kirkegaard Acoustics on projects such as Bavarian State Opera – Munich, Royal Festival Hall – London; Carnegie Hall Academy – New York, Berklee College of Music – Boston, and others.
Artist Collaborations
Notable international Artists performing or recording his works include
Mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager, guitarist John Williams, flutists Wolfgang Schulz, Erwin Klambauer, Ransom Wilson, and Marina Piccinini; Bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann, The Ahn Trio, conductor Dennis Rusell Davies, Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, Bruckner Orchester Linz, Vienna Classical Players, to name a few.
Radio and Press
Kertsman’s works are widely heard on legacy and internet radio including specials and interviews in the US (NPR), Germany, Austria, France, Israel, Australia, Brazil, and others.
Scores are published by Universal Edition, and Kossack Edition, and several works released world-wide by record labels such as Sony Classical, RCA Victor Group / BMG, and others.
Miguel Kertsman’s work receives critical praise from publications such as the BBC Music, Classic CD, Rolling Stone, Repertoire, In Tune, Gramophone, The New York Times, British Theater Guide, Blogcritics.com, and others.
Current Projects
Kertsman is curently composing a new Opera, “Marigolds” in collaboration with Poet / Librettist Armando Ibanes and German- Peruvian Director Alexander Medem; a Bassoon Concerto for Martin Kuuskmann, and a Violin concerto for Leonidas Kavakos.
Miguel Kertsman has recently released the Electro-Acoustic-Symphonic Concept Album Time? What’s Time?, and shot a live DVD “Music Alchemy, the First Rehearsal” which will be available as a limited run in January 2012. He is working on several Art-Film scores and preparing tours with MKx2 and Music Alchemy
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“Acorda!” (Wake-up!)
NEW ORCHESTRAL ALBUM RELEASE
“Acorda!” features three of Kertsman’s orchestral works with Dennis Russell Davies conducting the Bruckner Orchester Linz, and Vienna Philharmonic Principal Flutist, Wolfgang Schulz as soloist.
“Amazonia, Poema Sinfonico” (Amazon, Symphonic Poem)
Kertsman wrote the Tone Poem for Large Orchestra “Amazonia” at age 21 in 1987 in New York as an ecological protest against the uncontrolled exploitation and destruction of the great Rain Forest. Amazon has been performed six times across Brazil and in Europe, including a Globo TV National Network News feature, and live radio broadcasts.
“Chamber Symphony No. 1, Boa Viagem Shoreline“
Written in Hamburg and London, it is both a picturesque and haunting, mystical work. Chamber Symphony No. 1 was premiered at the Bratislava Contemporary Music Festival in Slovakia along with works by George Gershwin, and Philip Glass by Dennis Russell Davies, and the Bruckner Orchester Linz. The work often gives listeners the feeling of ‘frozen time…’ traveling from poly-rhythmic contrapuntal textures, and Brazilian seascapes, to deep contemplative meditation. The piece is scored for a „dark orchestra“ (lower range woodwinds and strings plus organ, multiple percussionists) and two singers (vocalise).
“Sinfonia Conertante for Flute and Orchestra“
Recorded by Vienna Philharmonic Principal Flutist Wolfgang Schulz, “Sinfonia Concertante for Flute and Orchestra” is a cyclical three-movement work (without pause) featuring a rhapsodic, lush first movement, an introspective “Choro” as a second movement subtitled „So He Sang my Beloved Father… Now He Sings from Heaven;“ and a comical, later majestic third movement called “The Dumb Donkey Called Jackass,“ when the entire orchestra also becomes a large Brazilian “Gafieira Ball“ dance band!
Time? What’s Time?
He has recently released the experimental Electro-Acoustic album Time? What’s Time?
Some Highlights
AMAZONICA, Sony Classical global release
Kertsman did extensive research curating and composing for a large scale production including a vast cast of musicians, singers, and folklore artists of over 50 members. Amazonica is a time voyage to the heart of Brazil conveying the country’s birth through music.
The Making of Amazonica Video
Amazonica has been utilized for Academic research by musicologists, and by Musicology and Ethnomusicology Departments at Universities such as Harvard University, and University of Vienna, among others
Amazonica has been featured on full length radio specials in Australia (ABC Australia), France (RFI), Israel, Brazil (Radio Cultura) in addition to frequent airplay on radio stations around the world
Amazonica has been used by Dance Companies for choreography in Holland (Sports) and the US, and used by the Media for Nature Shows and by MTV USA for their landmark Show “Road Rules“
Amazonica has been utilized by DJ’s as inspiration for their mixes, and even by skateboarding champions for their videos!
Amazonica sparked and contributed to the creation of a new Grammy Awards category in 1997: “Traditional World Music”
Amazonica served as the Soundtrack for the Brazilian Pavillion in Lisbon’s Millennium World Expo, 2000. The work is archived at libraries including the Gulbenkian Foundation, the National Brazilian Library, and a multitude of University and Public libraries in the US and overseas
Vienna Philharmonic Documentary
Composer Miguel Kertsman speaks on Unitel DVD Documentary about the Vienna Philharmonic and the legendary Musikverein Concert Hall
The documentary has aired on television on New Year’s Day two years in a row preceding the legendary Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert.
Chamber Music performances
Chamber Music performances of several works are frequently staged in Europe, the US, Japan, and Brazil with a multitude of soloists and ensembles.
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Concerto for Flute, Strings and Percussion
Commissioned by the Austrian Flute Society and Flutist Marina Piccinini. World premiere at Vienna’s Konzerthaus with Ms. Piccinini, with the Vienna Classical Players, and recent performances in Graz by Radio Symphony Orchestra Principal Flutist Erwin Klambauer and Martin Kerschbaum conducting the Oberschuetzen Academy Orchestra.
Children’s Musical Theater
Kertsman’s Children Music Theater work “O Saci” premiered in London’s Iris Theater at St. Paul’s, Covent Garden: “A Magical Tale of Friendship and Collaboration”. For more information: visit here
Opera Viva!
Kertsman writes pieces for the extraordinary Opera Viva Ensemble with performances at the Herbert von Karajan Center, Vienna, Zurich Opera, Beethovenhaus in Bonn, Germany, Luxembourg Philharmonie, and others.
Cantiga de Ninar
“Cantiga de Ninar” (“Baby’s Good Night Song”)
Commissioned by star Mezzo Soprano Angelika Kirchschlager for her Sony Classical recording with guitarist extraordinaire John Williams,
Published by Universal Edition, Cantiga de Ninar was the featured Contemporary work on Universal Edition’s Anthology: “Songs for Female Voice” drawing from their entire legendary catalog.
Rhythmic Fission
RCA Victor Group global release
Miguel Kertsman Revisits Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony on NPR New Sounds, WNYC, New York, Radio Broadcast
Film Scoring
Kertsman writes the score for several Art-Films featured at festivals
For instance, Director Paula Frohele’s surrealistic depiction of Remedios Varo’s painting “The Clockmaker”
Information on the new OPERA MARIGOLDS, Kertsman’s ongoing Compositions, and Art-Film projects will be available soon!