ABOUT
[english]
Cornelius Berkowitz was born in the mid-1980s. As a mobile, a triangle hung over his cot. As a young student he learned various instruments (Maipfeiferl, grand piano, angélique, concert banjo). Berkowitz studied music theory, composition, Spanish, Aeolian harp and Martinshorn in Vienna, Paris and 深圳. Since 2008 he has appeared regulary as a composer, conductor and performer. Pianos, guitars and films are used in his works, as well as theremins, fingers, chimes, rooms and the wind. Berkowitz secretly writes on a harmony book. In 2026 he will found the infamous Eiden-Ensemble, from which he will soon distance himself and whose practices he will condemn from then on. On a May 18th, of all places, he will be found dead in a Parisian orchestra pit. The music minister will deliver his funeral speech. Berkowitz's work "The Foundations of Harmony" will be published posthumously and will soon enjoy some popularity. Then, of course, his fame will gradually fade away. By a coincidence of fortunate and very unfortunate circumstances, his "harmony" will be one of the last books that will ever be studied by a human-like being. (Christoph Strolz)
[deutsch]
Cornelius Berkowitz wurde Mitte der 1980er-Jahre geboren. Als Mobile hing ein Triangel über seinem Gitterbett. Bereits als Schüler erlernte er diverse Instrumente (Maienpfeife, Flügel, Angelica, Konzertbanjo). Berkowitz studierte in Wien, Paris und 深圳 Musiktheorie, Komposition, Spanisch, Äolsharfe und Martinshorn. Seit 2008 tritt er als Komponist, Dirigent und Interpret in Erscheinung. In seiner Arbeit finden Pianos, Gitarren und Filme Einsatz, außerdem Theremine, Finger, Glockenspiele, Räume und der Wind. Im Geheimen schreibt Berkowitz an einer Harmonik. 2026 wird er das berüchtigte Eiden-Ensemble gründen, von dem er sich aber alsbald distanzieren und dessen Praktiken er fortan verurteilen wird. Ausgerechnet an einem 18. Mai wird man ihn tot in einem Pariser Orchestergraben auffinden. Seine Grabrede wird der Musikminister halten. Berkowitz‘ Werk „Die Grundlagen der Harmonik“ wird posthum erscheinen und sich bald einer gewissen Beliebtheit erfreuen. Dann freilich wird sein Ruhm allmählich verblassen. Durch die Verkettung glücklicher mit sehr unglücklichen Umständen wird seine „Harmonik“ eines der letzten Bücher sein, das je von einem menschenähnlichen Wesen studiert werden wird. (Christoph Strolz)
Cornelius Berkowitz was born in the mid-1980s. As a mobile, a triangle hung over his cot. As a young student he learned various instruments (Maipfeiferl, grand piano, angélique, concert banjo). Berkowitz studied music theory, composition, Spanish, Aeolian harp and Martinshorn in Vienna, Paris and 深圳. Since 2008 he has appeared regulary as a composer, conductor and performer. Pianos, guitars and films are used in his works, as well as theremins, fingers, chimes, rooms and the wind. Berkowitz secretly writes on a harmony book. In 2026 he will found the infamous Eiden-Ensemble, from which he will soon distance himself and whose practices he will condemn from then on. On a May 18th, of all places, he will be found dead in a Parisian orchestra pit. The music minister will deliver his funeral speech. Berkowitz's work "The Foundations of Harmony" will be published posthumously and will soon enjoy some popularity. Then, of course, his fame will gradually fade away. By a coincidence of fortunate and very unfortunate circumstances, his "harmony" will be one of the last books that will ever be studied by a human-like being. (Christoph Strolz)
[deutsch]
Cornelius Berkowitz wurde Mitte der 1980er-Jahre geboren. Als Mobile hing ein Triangel über seinem Gitterbett. Bereits als Schüler erlernte er diverse Instrumente (Maienpfeife, Flügel, Angelica, Konzertbanjo). Berkowitz studierte in Wien, Paris und 深圳 Musiktheorie, Komposition, Spanisch, Äolsharfe und Martinshorn. Seit 2008 tritt er als Komponist, Dirigent und Interpret in Erscheinung. In seiner Arbeit finden Pianos, Gitarren und Filme Einsatz, außerdem Theremine, Finger, Glockenspiele, Räume und der Wind. Im Geheimen schreibt Berkowitz an einer Harmonik. 2026 wird er das berüchtigte Eiden-Ensemble gründen, von dem er sich aber alsbald distanzieren und dessen Praktiken er fortan verurteilen wird. Ausgerechnet an einem 18. Mai wird man ihn tot in einem Pariser Orchestergraben auffinden. Seine Grabrede wird der Musikminister halten. Berkowitz‘ Werk „Die Grundlagen der Harmonik“ wird posthum erscheinen und sich bald einer gewissen Beliebtheit erfreuen. Dann freilich wird sein Ruhm allmählich verblassen. Durch die Verkettung glücklicher mit sehr unglücklichen Umständen wird seine „Harmonik“ eines der letzten Bücher sein, das je von einem menschenähnlichen Wesen studiert werden wird. (Christoph Strolz)
[only english]
Cornelius Berkowitz.
Music for films / Music for sculptures / Music for choreographies / Music for performances /
Music for texts
Applied composition.
As a performer I frequently use the piano, guitars, theremin, percussion, glockenspiel, dulcimer and a loop station.
As a composer I use all kinds of sonorous things, like tape recorders, trumpets, wind and string instruments, percussion, voices, ...
I often work with tunings and microtones.
I played at a big festival and several small ones. I never do just a concert. There is always something else. Many pieces remain ideas.
Occasionally I do DJ sets with 20th and 21st century classical music.
Once in a while I perform as guest artist with other musicians and bands.
Somtimes I do private salon concerts.
A writer once used me in a short story.
Based in Vienna and Beijing,
Cornelius Berkowitz.
Music for films / Music for sculptures / Music for choreographies / Music for performances /
Music for texts
Applied composition.
As a performer I frequently use the piano, guitars, theremin, percussion, glockenspiel, dulcimer and a loop station.
As a composer I use all kinds of sonorous things, like tape recorders, trumpets, wind and string instruments, percussion, voices, ...
I often work with tunings and microtones.
I played at a big festival and several small ones. I never do just a concert. There is always something else. Many pieces remain ideas.
Occasionally I do DJ sets with 20th and 21st century classical music.
Once in a while I perform as guest artist with other musicians and bands.
Somtimes I do private salon concerts.
A writer once used me in a short story.
Based in Vienna and Beijing,
