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Chaya Czernowin
Upcoming Performances
About Chaya Czernowin
Chaya Czernowin impressively demonstrates the possibilities of where advanced music theatre can lead – deep into the dark wells of the subconscious, beyond all reality and verbalisation. (Claus Spahn, Die Zeit)
Chaya Czernowin was born on 7 December 1957 in Haifa and was brought up in Israel. She studied composition at the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv with Abel Ehrlich and Izhak Sadai, and at the age of 25 went to study in Berlin on a DAAD Scholarship with Dieter Schnebel. In 1986 she moved to the United States to study at Bard College with Eli Yarden and Joan Tower. She pursued her PhD at the University of California San Diego, studying with Roger Reynolds (dissertation advisor) and Brian Ferneyhough. Upon completing her formal education, Czernowin undertook a period of travel and composition in Japan 1993-5 (Asahi Shimbun Fellowship, NEA Scholarship) and Germany (1996, Akademie Schloss Solitude). This was a seminal time in the development of her compositional language.
Czernowin considers teaching to be an important aspect of her continued compositional development. She was Professor of Composition at the University of California San Diego from 1997 to 2006, a professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna from 2006 to 2009, and in 2009 was appointed Walter Bigelow Rosen Professor of Music at the University of Harvard. She has been a guest professor in a number of institutions, and has taught at the International Summer Course for New Music at Darmstadt since 1990. Czernowin founded a course for young composers at the Akademie Schloss Solitude near Stuttgart with her husband, the composer Steven Takasugi, and Jean Baptiste Joly, as well as a course in Israel at the festival Tzlil Meudcan along with Yaron Deutsch.
Czernowin’s output includes chamber and orchestral music, with and without electronics. Her works are regularly played in many of the major contemporary music festivals in Europe, as well as in Japan, Korea, Australia, the USA and Canada. Czernowin has composed two large scale works for the stage: Pnima...ins Innere (2000), commissioned by the Munich Biennale and chosen as best premiere of the year by Opernwelt’s annual critic survey and winner of the coveted Bayerischer Theaterpreis, and Adama (2004-05), commissioned for Mozart’s 250’s birthday by the Salzburg Festival. Both operas have a strong political content. Pnima deals with the transmission of a traumatic experience as a vital part of the present, demanding real and active engagement rather than allowing the trauma to become a self-important, rarefied and frozen memorial. With her second opera, she was asked to respond to Mozart's Zaïde by creating a counterpoint piece. Adama, which is intertwined with Zaïde, deals with the impact that a political situation has on the individual and the limited freedom one has when trying to escape this impact. Czernowin continued her oeuvre for the stage with and you will love me back (2011), Infinite Now (2015-2016) and Heart Chamber (2017-2019). In 2017, Infinite Now was her second opera to be chosen as best premiere of the year by Opernwelt magazine.
Similarly to the political rebelliousness of the operas, the chamber music enacts an impatience with known and accepted assumptions. The chamber pieces from the 1990s explore the possibilities of temporal and formal divergence. In both Afatsim (1996) and String Quartet (1995), a game is made of changing the identity of the instruments by creating “meta instruments” - combining a few instruments into one identity and then separating them. By doing so the ensemble is able to change its identity within the piece. The unfolding of the piece is further fractured by cutting and displacing parts of the continuity into a forest of chaotic utterances. The Wintersongs series uses the same septet material reinterpreted five times, becoming an entirely different musical experience with each iteration.
Maim (2001-07), for a large orchestra and a group of soloists, and other works from the 2000s including the electronic works of the experimental studio, speculate about the physicality and motion of material. They touch on a strange and unfamiliar kind of “physics”, which toys with our expectations. The exploration of time and form on the one hand, and of material, its nature and physicality on the other, find a new expression in HIDDEN (2013-14) for string quartet and electronics, where a slowed down experience of time is coupled with distorted reflections of material, showing a glimpse into a world of unfamiliarity. The three-hour Triptych Vena (current, vein, pulse) consists of three independent, large-scale works: Memory Place for 10 percussionists, strings and IRCAM electronics, Unhistoric Acts for 24-part choir and string quartett (premiered at the 100th anniversary of the Donaueschingen Festival), and Immaterial for six voices which Czernowin wrote for festival Eclat 2022.
Czernowin's work is a significant and unique voice in the music of the present. She has received numerous awards for her compositions, including the Kranichsteiner Musikpreis (1992), Asahi Shimbun Fellowship Prize (1993), the Schloss Solitude Fellowship (1996), the IRCAM Reading Panel (1998), the Composer’s Prize by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation (2003), the Rockefeller Foundation Prize (2004), the Fromm Foundation Award (2008), a nomination of the Berlin Wissenschaftskolleg (2008), the Guggenheim Fellowship Award (2011) and the Heidelberger Künstlerinnenpreis (2016). In 2017 the Wergo CD "Chaya Czernowin: The Quiet - Works for Orchestra" was the Quaterly Critic's Choice of the German Record Critic's Award. She was Artist in Residence with the Salzburg Festival in 2005/06 and with the Lucerne Festival, Switzerland in 2013. In 2017, Czernowin has been appointed member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin and in 2021 member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. She received the German Music Author's Award of the GEMA for her operas in 2022.
- Website: www.chayaczernowin.com
Worklist
Gallery










Chronology
"Pnima...ins Innere" wins the Bavarian Theatre Prize and is chosen as "World premiere of the Year" by Opernwelt's annual critic survey.
World premiere of "Winter Songs I and II"
Walter Bigelow Rosen Professor of Music composition at Harvard University Cambridge, MA
World premiere of "At the fringe of our gaze" and "White Wind Waiting"
"Infinite Now" is chosen as "World premiere of the Year" by Opernwelt's annual critic survey.
Member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin
Member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts
World premiere of "Unhistoric Acts" at the 100th anniversary of the Donaueschingen Festival
World premiere of "Immaterial" at Eclat festival, Stuttgart
German Music Author's Award of the GEMA, category "Composition Music Theatre"
Products
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinInterpreter: Inbal HeverMedia Type: MP3 downloadProduct number: WER 73552 Q51471MP3 downloadMP3 downloadIn stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinInterpreter: Inbal HeverMedia Type: MP3 downloadProduct number: WER 73552 Q51450MP3 downloadMP3 downloadIn stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinInterpreter: Inbal HeverMedia Type: MP3 downloadProduct number: WER 73552 Q51451MP3 downloadMP3 downloadIn stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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Etude in fragilityComposer: Chaya CzernowinArranger: Séverine BallonEdition: Separate editionSeries: Cello Library
Edition Schott
Instrumentation: celloProduct number: CB 296Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax -
Etude in fragility for voice and breath (ad lib. amplified)Composer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate edition, Edition for 7 different registersSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: voice and breath(ad libitum amplified)Product number: ED 22393Product TypeIn stockAs low as €12.99Incl. Tax -
Etude in fragility for voice and breath (ad lib. amplified)Composer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate editionSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: voice and breath (amplified ad lib)Product number: ED 22696Product TypeIn stockAs low as €8.99Incl. Tax -
Etude in fragility for voice and breathComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate editionSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: voice and breath(ad libitum amplified)Product number: ED 22697Product TypeIn stockAs low as €10.99Incl. Tax -
for mixed ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mixed ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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A Monodrama for Bass and PianoComposer: Chaya CzernowinSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: bass and pianoProduct number: ED 20915Product TypeIn stockAs low as €31.99Incl. Tax -
for large orchestraComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: large orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Two String Quartets and an OctetComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: 1 or 2 string quartetsProduct number: ED 20538Product TypeIn stockAs low as €47.99Incl. Tax -
for orchestra and concertino groupComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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A lament for orchestra and two amplified voices (S/Bar)Composer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra with 2 amplified voices (SBar)Language: HebrewHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for amplified chamber ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: chamber ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for electric guitarComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate editionSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: E-guitarProduct number: ED 23185Product TypeIn stockAs low as €9.99Incl. Tax -
A Composer PortraitPrint editionPrint editionIn stock€0.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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The hour glass bleeds stillComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Dam sheon hachol
Instrumentation: string sextet - 2 violins, 2 violas, cello, double bassProduct number: ED 9663Product TypeIn stockAs low as €37.99Incl. Tax -
The hour glass bleeds stillComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: String OrchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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A collection of new pieces for pianoMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: pianoLanguage: EnglishProduct number: ED 21470Print editionPrint editionIn stock€10.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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(Slow Duo)Composer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Performing scoreSeries: Clarinet Library
Edition Schott
Instrumentation: 2 bassclarinets in BbProduct number: KLB 80Product TypeIn stockAs low as €8.99Incl. Tax -
(Fire)Composer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestra with countertenorLanguage: VocalisesHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Fragments - Second version for a mixed ensemble of modern and Renaissance/Baroque instrumentsComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: a mixed ensemble of modern and Renaissance/Baroque instrumentsHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Fragments for a mixed ensemble of Eastern and Western instrumentsComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: a mixed ensemble of Eastern and Western instrumentsHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for string quartetComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: string quartetProduct number: ED 23921Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€60.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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for pianoProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED 23475 Q575214E-score PDFE-score PDFIn stock€4.99Incl. Tax
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for bass clarinet solo and ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: bassclarinet and ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for bass clarinet solo and large ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: bassclarinet and ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Sextet for flute, clarinet, piano and string trioComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: flute, clarinet, piano, violin, viola, celloProduct number: ED 23614Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€76.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Five miniatures for 2 voices and ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: low alto, countertenor, bassflute, bassclarinet, tenorsaxophone, tuba and violoncelloProduct number: ED 22261Product TypeIn stockAs low as €52.99Incl. Tax -
Version for violoncelloComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate editionInstrumentation: cello soloProduct number: CB 287Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax
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Version for violaComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Separate editionInstrumentation: viola soloProduct number: VAB 90Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax
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Product TypeIn stockAs low as €7.99Incl. Tax
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for violoncello and organComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: organ and celloProduct number: ED 21450Product TypeIn stockAs low as €13.99Incl. Tax -
for violoncello and orchestraComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: cello and orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for low female voice, ensemble and electronicsComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: singer, ensemble and electronicsLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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An inquiry about loveComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinInterpreter: Inbal HeverProduct number: WER 73552Product TypeIn stockAs low as €11.99Incl. Tax
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for string quartet and electronicsComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Score and partsInstrumentation: string quartet and electronicsHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Composer: Chaya CzernowinOrchestra/ensemble: JACK QuartetMedia Type: MP3 downloadProduct number: WER 73552 Q51650MP3 downloadMP3 downloadIn stock€10.99Incl. Tax
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Product number: WER 73552 Q51702In stockStarting at €2.99
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(Vena III)Composer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral scoreInstrumentation: 6 voices SMezATBarBLanguage: VocalisesProduct number: ED 23560Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€35.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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for live solo bass flute and six other flutes (prerecorded or live)Composer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: bassflute solo and six other flutes (recorded or live)Product number: ED 9680Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€35.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Oper in 6 AktenComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: Chinese, Flemish, French, German, EnglishHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for baritone, bass clarinet, trumpet and tromboneComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: baritone, bassclarinet, trumpet and tromboneProduct number: ED 23141Product TypeIn stockAs low as €33.99Incl. Tax -
Duo version for electric guitar and accordionComposer: Chaya CzernowinEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: electric guitar and accordionProduct number: ED 22537Product TypeIn stockAs low as €34.99Incl. Tax -
Tutti version for ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for three piccolos solo and large orchestraComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: 3 piccolos solo and large orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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dedicated to ensemble rechercheComposer: Hans Abrahamsen | Mark Andre | Carola Bauckholt | Sebastian Claren | Chaya Czernowin | Christopher Fox | Georg Friedrich Haas | Nicolaus A. Huber | Georg Kroell | Ramon Lazkano | Elena Mendoza | Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Fabio Nieder | Hèctor Parra | Enno Poppe | André Richard | Rolf Riehm | Lucia Ronchetti | François Sarhan | Johannes Schoellhorn | Cornelius Schwehr | Salvatore Sciarrino | Martin Smolka | Johannes Maria Staud | Guenter Steinke | Caspar Johannes Walter | Joerg Widmann | Gerhard E. Winkler | Alla Zagaykevych | Walter ZimmermannOrchestra/ensemble: ensemble rechercheMedia Type: 2 CDsProduct number: WER 67922CDCDIn stock€24.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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for mixed ensembleComposer: Chaya CzernowinMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: mixed ensembleHire/performance materialHire/performance material