Gunnar Berg

Full biography Gunnar Berg

Gunnar Berg was an esteemed Austrian composer, born on October 21, 1909, in Graz, Austria. He began his musical journey studying piano at the age of four and later moving onto the violin.

After completing his studies, he went on to become a prominent figure in the Austrian musical scene and became a member of the Salzburg Mozarteum. He is best known for his extraordinary talent in writing avant-garde classical music that incorporated 12-tone techniques.

Berg's early works were heavily influenced by his love for the works of Schönberg, Webern, and Berg. However, he soon developed his sound which began to showcase his unique voice in various musical forms such as opera, chamber, orchestral and vocal music.

His notable compositions include the orchestral pieces "Concerto Funebre" and "Canto Fermo," the chamber works "Streichquartett" and "Windquintett," and the operas "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" and "Jörg Jenatsch."

In addition to his compositional efforts, he was also a highly regarded music educator, teaching at the Salzburg Mozarteum and later becoming a professor in the Hamburg Conservatory.

Berg's contributions to contemporary music, particularly in Austria, were immeasurable. He passed away on April 6, 1987, leaving behind a tremendous body of work that continues to influence the modern-day approach to classical music.