FURRER70

FURRER70 pays tribute to composer Beat Furrer, celebrating his artistic legacy and pedagogical impact through a series of concerts, masterclasses, and the French premiere of his music theatre work Begehren. A leading figure in contemporary music and founder of Klangforum Wien, Beat Furrer is known not only for his innovative compositions but also for his role as an educator and cultural force.

FURRER70 highlights Furrer’s major stage works, chamber music, and educational influence—aiming to broaden recognition of his work beyond the German-speaking world. Spanning ten days, the project is divided into three segments. The first features masterclasses between Furrer and six composition students from the Conservatoire National de Paris and Ensemble NEXT, resulting in a recording of student works by Ensemble Écoute. The second segment includes a chamber concert by an eight-member ensemble at the Goethe-Institut Paris, preceded by a lecture by Furrer on his artistic vision. A parallel exhibition will present a selection of his photographs, letters, and manuscripts. This segment also includes world premieres by Manon Lepauvre and Alexandre Jamar, composers-in-residence with Ensemble Écoute.

The final highlight is the French premiere of Begehren, a music theatre piece interweaving texts by Ovid, Virgil, Günter Eich, and Cesare Pavese into a libretto by Furrer, Christine Huber, and Wolfgang Hofer. The work explores themes of desire, separation, and memory through a fragmented yet immersive narrative. The performance will be broadcast live on France Musique, with Furrer featured in a special episode of Grands Entretiens.

Furrer70 is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further Information:
ensembleecoute.com

Dates

November 25, 2025
Goethe-Institut, Paris

November 26 & 27, 2025
Conservatoire National de Paris

December 3, 2025
Salle Cortot, Paris