Saed Haddad

Saed Haddad was born in Jordan in 1972 to Christian parents and now lives in Germany. After studying philosophy in Belgium, he went on to study composition in Jordan, Israel and finally in Great Britain, where he completed his doctorate under George Benjamin. He also attended master classes with Louis Andriessen, Helmut Lachenmann and Pascal Dusapin, among others.

In his works from 2004 to 2006, accompanied by a comprehensive study of so-called Arab culture, Haddad concentrated on a synthesis of the Western and Arab traditions. From 2007 to 2014, his work focused on reflections on forgetting in Arab culture. Since 2015, Haddad has been working on the ethical component of compassion. In addition to more clearly emerging traces of Arabic music, in his own words “melancholy, darkness and hints of pale light” have since been musical hallmarks of his work.

Haddad’s music has been commissioned and performed by renowned international ensembles and orchestras in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia, under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, Heinz Holliger and George Benjamin among others.

He has been a guest composer with numerous ensembles, orchestras and festivals, has given guest lectures at many universities and is invited by radio and television stations. His work has received numerous awards, including the French and German Prix de Rome 2008-10, Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik 2010 and the Koussevitzky Music Foundation Commission Prize 2014.

Haddad was a jury member of the Gaudeamus Foundation Composition Prize. His music has been recorded on the WERGO, NEOS and Ensemble Modern Medien labels.