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In Memoriam: Friedrich Cerha (1926-2023)

Feb. 15, 2023

We are saddened to announce the death of Friedrich Cerha who passed away on February 14, 2023 in Vienna. Astrid Koblanck, CEO of Universal Edition, Cerha's publisher, notes:

"We are deeply moved by the passing of Friedrich Cerha. We have lost one of the most important contemporary composers with whom Universal Edition was closely associated for decades. His extensive oeuvre and his tireless creative drive have left a lasting mark in Universal Edition's catalogue. Friedrich Cerha will be remembered by us and the entire music world as a groundbreaking composer, passionate musician and conductor, but above all as an intrepid pioneer of New Music."

Born in Vienna in 1926, Friedrich Cerha is considered one of the most formative figures in Austrian musical life since the second half of the 20th century. Click here to read Universal Edition's complete obituary which details Cerha's incredible rise as a legendary composer, conductor, musician, pedagogue, and a foremost champion of new music. 

Listen to Friedrich Cerha's Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (2007/2008):

Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra/Friedrich Cerha/Martin Grubinger, percussion/
Frankfurt Radio Symphony/Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor

Listen to Cerha's Spiegel I–VII (1960/1961), for large orchestra and tape:
Spiegel I–VII, for large orchestra and tape/ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien/
Ingo Metzmacher, conductor


To learn more about Friedrich Cerha, visit: universaledition.com.

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