Zelenka, István
Zelenka, István
Zelenka, István, Hungarian-born Austrian, later Swiss composer; b. Budapest, July 30, 1936. After training in Budapest, he pursued studies at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he received 1st prize in composition in 1962. In 1960 he became a naturalized Austrian citizen. He later settled in Switzerland and became a naturalized Swiss citizen in 1976. In addition to working as a producer and programmer of music for the Radio Suisse Romande (from 1978), he lectured on contemporary music at the Geneva Cons, (from 1980). In 1982 he was a co-founder of the group DIGITALISMUS, and in 1983 of the collective private publishing venture EDITION ZWACHEN. In his music, Zelenka has followed an experimental course, utilizing various contemporary techniques.
Works
dramatic: Music Theater: Dove, dove, Signore, Signori? (1971); Un Faust-digest agrémente (1979); C’est avec reconnaissance et émotion qud j’ai appris très sincèrement dévoué à tous! (1980); Estouffade de volailles (1984). ORCH.: A propos FAFNER (1971); Le très Saint Empire de Rome, comment tient-il encore debout? for Viola d’Amore and Orch. (1981); Credo for Orch. and Video (1983); Médaille, pile ET face (1984); La Traque for Cello and Orch. (1985); Etat de siège(s) (1989). CHAMBER: Ritournelles for Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, and 2 Harpsichords (1975); Vivat Nucleus’ for Wind Quintet and Tape (1978); Progression/Regression? for Violin and Piano (1979); Deus ex laminae for 2 Pianos and 2 Cymbals (1979); ...The permanent variations produced by confined breeding and changing circumstances are continued and... for Alto Flute and String Trio (1979); Fünf Analysen eines Farbbildes for Violin and Piano (1981); Due(tt) (II) o for Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1983); Souvenir d’enfance/mémoire d’adulte for Cello and Synthesizer (1984); Gebeetstunde for 2 Cellists, 3 Pianists, and 8 Cymbalists (1986); Musique des sphères for Clarinet, Violin, Horn, Bassoon, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and 2 Cassettophones (1990). OTHER: Vocal works; electroacoustic scores.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire