"Walfisch" and "Briefwaage": New Works by Up-and-Coming Composers

In his 1924 poem “Übergewicht,” Joachim Ringelnatz described the serious impact a whale can have on a letter scale. The verses inspired 12-year-old Levin Schleif from Dresden to compose a piece. His work, “Walfisch und Briefwaage” (Whale and Letter Scale), serves as the theme for the premiere concerts of the Dresden Composers’ Class. The new works by 15 girls and boys will be performed in November. Not only poems but also original texts were set to music.

New works will be performed at three premiere concerts

The Opus Eins sound collective, conducted by Milko Kersten, will perform the new compositions at Gröditz Castle (November 7), in the concert hall of the Chemnitz Municipal Music School (November 8), and at the European Center for the Arts in the Hellerau Festival Hall (November 14). The compositions created by children and teenagers from Dresden and all over Saxony were developed under the guidance of composers Silke Fraikin, Johannes Korndörfer, Annette Schlünz, and Bernd Schumann and were completed during the summer course in August in Schmiedeberg.

Composing, improvising, and making music together

Over the course of nine days, the participants did more than just finish their scores. Composing, improvising, singing, and making music together—that’s exactly what it’s all about. Children and teenagers are not only meant to receive instruction from established composers and put their own works on paper during summer courses, but also to get a taste of the stage at concerts and experience their new pieces performed—interpreted by professional musicians. The program is based on a concept developed by composer and conductor Hans J. Wenzel (1939–2009). He founded such a class in Halle in 1976 and established it in Dresden in 1982.

Young people should experience a creative community

In 1991, Wenzel’s former student Silke Fraikin took over as director of the Dresden class. “We prioritize enabling and uncovering the students’ own creativity over the primary teaching of classical composition techniques,” Fraikin explains. There, young people can experience a creative community in which everyone—regardless of prior training or age—is taken seriously and supported on an equal footing, without a focus on performance and on a level playing field.

The proportion of young female composers is increasing

In addition to composition lessons, the program at the gathering in Schmiedeberg included ear training, rhythm training, choral singing, group improvisation, and lectures. “We’re very pleased that more girls who compose have been joining us lately. In the last summer course, nearly half of the participants were girls,” reports Fraikin. Providing equal support to girls and boys who compose is a particular priority. “Young female composers, in particular, need resources and projects where they are supported and encouraged.”

Composing pieces for a wide variety of ensembles

The girls and boys are creative when it comes to naming their works. In November, works such as “Dolphins” by Linda Korndörfer, “Weite Felder” (Fanny Weber), “Der Frühling kommt” (Lisa Hubig), “Schwarz-weiß gestreifte Adiletten” (Eva Ceralova), and “404 title not found” by Manuel Timme. The 9- to 19-year-olds composed their pieces for soprano, oboe, horn, viola, and electric bass/double bass.

Collaborations with Partners Abroad

For several years now, the Dresden class has maintained an exchange with Annette Schlünz and her composition workshops at the conservatory in Dresden’s sister city, Strasbourg. “We would like to continue this inspiring broadening of horizons in the coming years, as well as our long-standing collaboration with Hellerau,” says Fraikin. Currently, a collaboration with the Saxon State Library—State and University Library—is being launched. Among other things, recordings of the class’s premiere concerts can be found in the media library there.

“I think it’s great to receive one-on-one guidance on composing and direct, individual feedback on my pieces. The instructors’ approachability and interest in my work—without micromanaging every step—is what I’ve always missed elsewhere,” says 15-year-old Luise Winkler. In addition, she says the class is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people, spend time together, and make friends.