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 regularly 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 have 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 regularly 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 have 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)
[english]
Cornelius Berkowitz
Applied Music. Musical mapping and texts
Music for films / Music for sculptures / Music for choreographies / Music for performances / Music as ideas / Music for texts / Texts for music / Music as texts
I draft music, using all kinds of sonorous and things and ideas. I often work with tunings and microtones.
I like to map things into music. False mimesis and measurements are my tool.
I never do just a concert. There is always something else. Many pieces remain ideas. Some pieces are not meant to be performed at all.
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.
Sometimes I do private salon concerts.
A writer once used me in a short story.
I am based in Vienna and Beijing.
Cornelius Berkowitz
Applied Music. Musical mapping and texts
Music for films / Music for sculptures / Music for choreographies / Music for performances / Music as ideas / Music for texts / Texts for music / Music as texts
I draft music, using all kinds of sonorous and things and ideas. I often work with tunings and microtones.
I like to map things into music. False mimesis and measurements are my tool.
I never do just a concert. There is always something else. Many pieces remain ideas. Some pieces are not meant to be performed at all.
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.
Sometimes I do private salon concerts.
A writer once used me in a short story.
I am based in Vienna and Beijing.
I did enjoy doing things together with hoelb/hoeb, Han-Gyeol Lie, Stefanie Baron-Neuhuber, Katrin Hauk, Noah Zeldin, Christopher Roth, Helēna Sorokina, Christina Dörfler, Maria Hofer, Bettina Foeldesi, Liang Dandan 梁丹丹, 9shang 九尚, Mang Cangcang 莽苍苍, Hou Ying 侯莹, Ying Wang 王穎, Yang Song 楊淞, Song Yang 宋杨, Atelier Rouge Peking, aiaia, Natascha Muhic (Vinylograph), Andreas Müller, Dominique Raffa, Arisa Yoshida, Magdalena Adamski, Veronika Adamski, Sophie Lembke, Oskar May and others.
