Friedrich Cerha

Friedrich Cerha (; 17 February 1926 – 14 February 2023) was an Austrian composer, conductor, and academic teacher. His ensemble die reihe in Vienna was instrumental in spreading contemporary music in Austria. Cerha composed three literary operas, beginning with Baal, based on Brecht's play, which was premiered at the Salzburg Festival in 1981. He is best known for completing Alban Berg's opera Lulu by orchestrating its unfinished third act, which premiered in Paris in 1979.

Life and career Cerha was born in Vienna on 17 February 1926, the son of an electrical engineer. in November 1945. His dissertation in German studies there, on the Turandot topic, was completed in 1950. He also attended courses with violinist Rudolf Kolisch and pianist Eduard Steuermann, who were experts on the Schoenberg school. After studying serialism further, he composed Relazioni fragili which was first performed in Darmstadt in 1958. He received a grant in 1957 that led to the composition of Espressioni fondamentali for orchestra, premiered in Berlin in 1960. He was recognised internationally as a composer when Relazioni fragili was performed at the 1961 ISCM festival in Vienna, and increasingly conducted contemporary music at leading festivals and opera houses. and directed by Patrice Chéreau. He continued to compose into his old age, saying that he was fascinated by the "unfathomable" and mystery at the core of music. He stated: "I only sit down at my desk to write the first note when I know what the last one will be." The couple had two children.

Awards 1964: Theodor Körner Prize 1986: Grand Austrian State Prize for Music 2005: Austrian Decoration for Science and Art 2006: Golden Lion of the Biennale Musica in Venice

Honorary doctorates 2017: University of Siegen

Works Cerha's compositions were published by Universal Edition, including:

Operas Netzwerk, 1981 for singers, reciter, movement groups and orchestra Baal-Gesänge, 1983 Keintate I, II, 1983 ff. Monumentum für Karl Prantl, 1988 Introitus and Kyrie of Requiem of Reconciliation, 1995 Fünf Stücke for clarinet in A, cello and piano, 1999–2000 Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra, 2003–2004 Violin Concerto, 2004 Oboe Quintet, 2007 Percussion Concerto, 2007–2008 Like a Tragicomedy for orchestra, 2008–2009 Bruchstück, geträumt for ensemble, 2009 Paraphrase of the beginning of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, 2010 Zebra-Trio for string trio, 2011 Tagebuch for orchestra, 2012 Drei Sätze für Orchester, 2015 Fasce for orchestra, before 1993 Langegger Nachtmusiken I-III, before 1993 Relazioni fragili for chamber ensemble, before 1993