The Schwetzingen Festival will feature the composer in a series of concerts, including several premieres such as the world premiere of his new opera Thomas. The focus on Haas kicked off with four concerts on 9 May. The programs included Tianwa Yang performing de terrae finae for violin solo, as well as the premiere of Dido for string quartet and soprano with Sarah Wegener who also performed ATTHIS for soprano and eight instruments.

On 23 May, the RSO Stuttgart under the direction of Jonathan Stockhammer will perform Georg Friedrich Haas's orchestral piece in vain watch Sir Simon Rattle's introductory talk about 'in vain' on youtube

On 24 May, Georg Friedrich Haas's new opera Thomas will be premiered in Schwetzingen; performances will follow until 28 May. Again, soprano Sarah Wegener, who received much acclaim for her performance in Georg Friedrich Haas' first opera Bluthaus in 2011, will again sing a part of the premiere production.


concert dates, programs and further information: www.swr.de

In September, the composer will join Columbia University's composition faculty as a full-time tenured professor, assuming the post previously held by Tristan Murail.

"An independent thinker with a profound knowledge of the American experimental tradition, Haas promises to be a rich addition to New York musical life", music critic Alex Ross writes about the decision, and Columbia University announces: "This appointment promises to sustain and enhance our composition program's reputation as one of the strongest, most progressive, and most international such programs in the United States."


further information: music.columbia.edu