Berger Gary

Gary Berger was born 1967 in Baden, Switzerland. He studied percussion at the ‘Musikhochschule Zürich’ (Zurich School of Music) where he specialised in contemporary music and the interpretation of live electronic performances. From 1994 until 1995 he studied composition in Paris under Julio Estrada at the UPIC (Unité Polyagogique Informatique du CEMAMU), and subsequently under Daniel Glaus at the Zurich School of Music. He received his composition diploma from the ‘Hochschule Musik und Theater Zürich’ (Zurich School of Music and Theatre) in 2002. He has attended composition courses and seminars headed by Iannis Xenakis, Michael Jarrell, Salvatore Sciarrino, Chaya Czernowin and Luca Francesconi. He was educated in electronic music at the Swiss Centre for Computer Music and carried out practical work at the IRCAM in Paris. He is primarily a composer writing for various instrumental and electronic forces. He has taught live electronic at the Zurich School of Music and Drama since 2001, he also lectures as a guest at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Weimar and the ‘Musikhochschule Luzern’ (Lucerne School of Music). Gary Berger is the founder and a member of the electro-acoustic ensemble STROM and NOTSTROM. He was directing manager of the ‘Klangturm’ by Andreas Bosshard at the EXPO. 02, Arteplage Biel and the artistic director of the concert series ‘musica moderna’ in Wädenswil.

The work of Gary Berger encompasses compositions for ensembles and solo instruments, with or without electronic, and electronic tape works. He has performed in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Argentina, France, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Korea, China, Canada, United States and Australia.

Gary Berger has received commissions from Pro Helvetia (Swiss Culture Foundation), Lucerne Festival, Tage für Neue Musik Zürich, the ‘Europeäischen Musikmonats Basel’ and the city of Zurich amongst others. In 1999 and 2001 he was prize winner of the CIMESP (Concurso Internacional de Música Electroacústica de São Paulo) Brazil.
2004 scolarship of the „Stiftung Binz39 und des Kantons Graubünden“.
2005 follows the “Werkjahr für Komposition der Stadt Zürich”.
2006 Composer-in-Residence at the Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges (IMEB), France.
2007 follows the “Förderpreis für Komposition des Kantons Graubünden”.
2008 comissioned by the "Lucerne Festival"
2011 comissioned by Pro Helvetia
2012 comissioned by Collegium Novum Zürich
2013 comissioned by Ensemble Adapter Berlin
2014 The Prize of FONDATION SUISA for instrumental/vocal composition and electronics

He lives and works as a freelance composer in Zurich.

releases: