(b. 1976)
Catherine Kontz (b. 1976 in Luxembourg) is a London-based composer. As part of her PhD in Composition at Goldsmiths College, University of London, she single-handedly produced and directed her mime-opera, MiE, for a set of six sold-out performances at The Space, London in 2006. She has since then worked extensively within the world of contemporary opera as well as writing works for performers such as Monica Germino, Véronique Nosbaum, Sebastian Lexer, Danny Standing, Kate Ryder, Rhodri Davies, Henri Växby, BJ Cole and Ensemble Lucilin. Catherine has been commissioned for new works by Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Rational Rec/London, Chetham’s School of Music, Noisewatchers Unlimited, Centre National de L’Audiovisuel/Luxembourg and Banque centrale du Luxembourg. With long-term creative partners in DrawnForth Opera Ellan Parry and Alexia Anastasiadis as well as with director Roswitha Gerlitz, her work is regularly programmed for the Tête-à-Tête opera festival at Riverside Studios. Her music has also been performed extensively throughout Europe. She currently works on a new opera commission for Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg to premier in 2013. When she is not composing, Catherine can be seen co-fronting avant-pop band French For Cartridge. Having studied the piano with Michele Ries and John Tilbury, Catherine also regularly performs within the London contemporary music and free improvisation scene, often with her experimental music duo une cartouche. She is the co-founder of the Dinner With Daisy record label who also run regular cross-arts nights at the Jamboree in Cable Street Studios, East London. She likes bright colours, bold clashes and a bit of dissonance.
Catherine Kontz Composition Timpani and Percussion Requirements
Electra
No Timpani + 2 percussion
2 tom toms, glockenspiel
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Geta
No Timpani + 1 percussion
An octave of crystal glasses, Geta shoes, paper umbrellas
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Iceland Spar
No Timpani + 1 percussion
Drum kit
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MiE
No Timpani + 7 percussion
2 timpani 32'' and 28'', glass harmonica, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, snare drum, one octave of crotales (C6-C7), small set of glass chimes, 3 wood blocks, (L/M/H), sizzle cymbal, waterphone, caxixi, shekere, tubular bell (C), small water gong, 30" tam tam, shell chimes (paper noise)
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Neige/Opera
No Timpani + 4 percussion
1) temple blocks, glass wind-chimes, 1 octave crotales, large tom tom, suspended cymbal, bass bow, log drum, small taiko 2) glockenspiel, snare drum, small gong, bass waterphone, triangle, rin in A, A# & G#, suspended cymbal, small taiko, 3) (on stage) large taiko, singing bowl, 3 x wood blocks 4) glass harmonica, singing bowl, 3 x wood blocks
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Salmon Stories
No Timpani + 1 percussion
Tablas, hang drum
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Siegfried & Melusina for Shadow Puppets, Toy Pianos and a Musical Box
No Timpani + 1 percussion
3 toy pianos (one with 3 octaves)
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The Moon Moves Slowly But It Crosses The Town
No Timpani + 2 percussion
80" tam tam
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Twitching
No Timpani + 12-15 percussion
12-15 swannee whistles and bird callers plus any small or toy percussion
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