Thomas Christoph Heyde

Thomas Christoph Heyde (born 12 November 1973) is a German composer, media artist and curator. He is chairman of the Forum Zeitgenössischer Musik Leipzig.

Life Heyde was born in Leipzig in 1973 as the son of a pastor. From the age of seven he was trained on the piano and later received private composition lessons from Lorenz Stolzenbach. Without passing his Abitur he first completed a pharmaceutical education and worked as a nurse in a Leipzig hospital. and with Thomas Kesseler at the of the City of Basel Music Academy.

From 1998 to 2006 he taught the new media art at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig and was head of the electronic studio there. Since 2003 he is artistic director of the Forum Zeitgenössischer Musik Leipzig (FZML). He organized among others the international art and music project Cage100 (2012/13) and the transmediale project ABENDMAHL – "diminishing horror | increasing love". In the winter semester 2012/13 he was a lecturer on John Cage and in 2016/17 on musical concepts after 1945 at the Institute of Musicology of the University of Leipzig.

He writes mainly orchestral and chamber music. His compositions have been broadcast by Deutschlandradio, Deutschlandfunk, MDR, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Westdeutscher Rundfunk and Swiss Radio. His special interests are live electronics and video art. Thus he worked together with Ulrich Polster. The resulting art videos have been shown in museums in France and Great Britain.

With the professor of linguistics (University of Flensburg) he has two children.

Heyde is chairman of the board of Mosaik Leipzig e.V. The institution operates a migration consultancy service among others and a psychosocial centre for refugees.

Sound language The music journalist Dirk Wieschollek described Heyde as: "equally socialized with 'classical music', 'new music' and 'techno. In the radio feuilleton of Deutschlandfunk Kultur it was said: "He wants to inspire people for New Music who have little contact with high culture. Therefore he also has concerts played in very unusual places."

Awards Scholarships of: Academy of Arts Berlin, German National Academic Foundation, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation, 2001: (shared price for composition)

Works Without electronics Apparitionen I (1995/96) for trumpet solo Streichquartett Nr. 3 (1995) – 1. Version (1996/97) – 2. Version Charakteristische Studien für Klavier (1995/96) Drei „Lieder“ (1995/96) for baritone and piano Streichquartett Nr. 4 (1995/96) Rhythmica Moblié (1995) for four pianists at two pianos Appartments II (1995). Chamber music for 9 players Lamento ? (1996). Requiem for 3 instruments, 2 speakers and voice. Premiere Weimar 1997 NO NAME (1997). A potpourri of awakening for ensemble. Premiere Berlin 1997 mein fremdes Land (1998) for flute solo ENSEMBLE (1998) for prepared piano. Premiere Leipzig 1998 vor mir entlang (1998) for four recorder players Apparitions V (1999) for solo violin Schwebung (1999) for two-manual harpsichord für S. (1999). Arie für Bariton und Kammerensemble (after a text by Jürgen Becker). Premiere Leipzig 1999 rufen? nein, wollen! (1999) for Ensemble Ansichtennetz (2000) for English horn, bassoon, guitar and viola. First performance Leipzig 2001 (Music-Time-Autumn Festival, , Ensemble Sortisatio) Schwarzfahrer-Marsch I/II (2007) for accordion, triolas and percussion Bälle und Felle (2008) for accordion and 3 percussionists

With electronics Apparitionen III (1995/96) for solo violin, 4-channel playback tapes and live electronics. UA Leipzig 1996 KULTUS (1996/97) for mezzo-soprano, chamber orchestra, chamber choir, live electronics and tape (with texts). First performance Leipzig 2000 Appartments IV (1997/98). Audio pictures for oboe, 4-channel tape and live electronics (based on texts by Anna Akhmatova and Jurij Brězan). First performance Leipzig 1998 ARENA (1998) for orchestra Umgang-Aufstieg-Abgang (1999) for flute, oboe, trumpet, percussion, live electronics and 4-channel tape Gewässer des Lichts (2000) for mezzo-soprano, small ensemble and tape (after a text by Johannes Bobrowski) Piano(s)-Chat (2000) for MIDI piano, computer and live electronics. first performance Leipzig Fernen (2001) for 3 recorders, 8-channel tape and live electronics. first performance Berlin Ich-ein Fremder (2001) for voice, chamber orchestra, 7.1 surround tape and live electronics (after texts by Miguel de Unamuno and Thomas Christoph Heyde). Premiere Dresden (Dresden Centre for Contemporary Music, Titus Engel (cond.)) Confetti Parade mit Hardcore-Romantik (2002) for flute, electric guitar, video and electronics Apparitionen VI (2002) for bassoon, 2-channel tape and subwoofer Apparitionen VI (2002/05) for recorder, 2-channel tape recorder and subwoofer High-Culture-Motherfuckers (2002/03) for 4 percussionists and tape 3xkurz 3xlang (2005/06) for ensemble, live-electronics and tape 3xkurz 3xlang II (2007/08) for ensemble, live electronics and tape CH-GS1978 (2005/06) for 3 recorders, mobile video monitors and tape Frost (2004–07) for violoncello, electronics and video screens memory-faded (2006/07) for viola, piano and live electronics Fieldz (2006/07) for piano, 4 percussionists and electronics Death Is Not the End (2008) for organ, viola and electronics

Writings Wege – Auswege – Umwege. Zu Situation, Strukturen und Inhalten der zeitgenössischen Musik. In Neue Musikzeitung 51 (2002) 2. (together with Péter Kőszeghy) Neue Musik ohne Festivals? In 52 (2002). (along with Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf) FreiZeitArbeit. In Positionen 76 (2008). B-A-C-H | C-A-G-E. Zwei Weltenordner, Leipzig und CAGE100. In Positionen 93 (2012).