For Nikolaus Brass, the “concrete confrontation with the existential fragility of human existence, with new beginnings and happiness, but also pain, infirmity and death” acted “like a compass in the search for expression.” He refers to his music as characterised by “flowing time processes, questions of order and disturbance, the scanning of the acoustic outer surface for what it harbours as an echo, as well as aspects of human existence,” within a “permanent circle of losing and finding again.” This musica viva CD features three of his compositions, created between 2012 and 2023.

Nikolaus Brass studied medicine and composition in Munich and Berlin, and with Helmut Lachenmann in Hanover. He took part in the Darmstadt Summer Course from 1980 to 1986. His works have been regularly performed at festivals since 1981. In addition to his profession as a medical doctor, which he practised for many years, he has composed numerous works, including several commissioned by the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (as part of the musica viva series), the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Donaueschingen Music Days and the Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik. In 2009, Brass was awarded the Music Prize of the City of Munich. He has been a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts since 2014.

Brass' composition “In der Farbe von Erde“ (“In the colour of earth”) – music for viola, 44 strings and two percussionists” was first performed on February 17, 2023, with Tabea Zimmermann (viola) and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni. The work was commissioned by musica viva of Bayerischer Rundfunk. The title of the composition refers to a short text by the French-speaking Swiss poet Philippe Jaccottet (1925–2021).

”Der goldene Steig“ (“The Golden Path”) – A narrative for soprano and orchestra” is based on a text by Peter Kurzeck. The fourth part of his novel cycle ”Das alte Jahrhundert“ has an impressionistic feel to it – and served as a mood painting for Brass' sound fantasies. In addition to the richly scored percussion, the entire orchestra also contributes to the sound development with meticulously prescribed tapping and rattling instructions. The work was commissioned by musica viva of Bayerischer Rundfunk and first performed on December 16, 2016, with Sarah Maria Sun (soprano) and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Peter Rundel.

Brass' ”Der Garten“ (“The Garden”) – music for orchestra with four obbligato male voices (vocalises)” was also commissioned by musica viva of Bayerischer Rundfunk. The first performance, with the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Péter Eötvös, took place on June 16, 2012.

The new BR-KLASSIK CD documents the live recordings of each of the three first performances, recorded in the Herkulessaal of the Munich Residenz.

● Nikolaus Brass' compositions ”In der Farbe von Erde“ (2023), ”Der goldene Steig“ (2016) and ”Der Garten“ (2012) in live recordings of the world premieres from the Herkulessaal of the Munich Residenz, as part of the musica viva concert series of Bayerischer Rundfunk

● Among the renowned performers are Tabea Zimmermann (viola), Sarah Maria Sun (soprano), and the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart. Vimbayi Kaziboni, Peter Rundel and Péter Eötvös conduct the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra