Wolfgang Rihm

Wolfgang Rihm, born in 1952 in Karlsruhe, has created a wide-spanning, diverse oeuvre that to date consists of approximately 350 released works. His compositions transcend conventional categories. The essence of his creative efforts is artistic freedom. Rihm was highly skeptical of all compositional strategies that might shackle his musical imagination. His music is marked by a special expressive energy. Artistic freedom also characterizes Rihm’s treatment of musical means. Rihm has a significant creative development behind him. While wildness and fragmentary style dominated at first, he later conquered his own lyrical cantability and a musical flow supported by extensive continuity.

Wolfgang Rihm passed away on 27 July 2024.