Hans Zender

Full biography Hans Zender

Hans Zender was a highly regarded composer and conductor, known for his avant-garde style and innovative approaches to orchestration. He was born on November 22, 1936, in Wiesbaden, Germany, and began his musical career studying composition with Wolfgang Fortner at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg.

Throughout his career, Zender was known for his experiments with different compositional techniques, including calligraphic and structural approaches to writing music. He also gained notoriety for his adaptations and reinterpretations of classical works, such as his adaptation of Schubert's "Winterreise," which he described as a "creative transformation" rather than a mere transcription.

Zender's work as a conductor was also highly regarded, and he was known for his interpretations of contemporary music and his collaborations with prominent performers and ensembles. He was a regular guest conductor with orchestras throughout Europe and beyond, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the New Japan Philharmonic.

Throughout his life, Zender was recognized for his contributions to contemporary music, receiving numerous awards and honors including the Goethe Medal and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. He passed away on October 22, 2019, at the age of 82, but his legacy as a composer and conductor continues to live on through his many works and his impact on the field.