Neugier ist alles

Detlev Glanert has established himself firmly in the music world over the past two decades, particularly as the composer of operas such as Joseph Süß (1997–99), Caligula (2004–06), and Das Holzschiff (2008–10). On the occasion of the world premiere of Glanert's latest stage work, Solaris (2010–11), based on Stanisław Lem's novel of the same name, at the 2012 Bregenz Festival, this volume looks back on his series of stage works to date with numerous texts, interviews, and essays. It not only sheds light on the thematic diversity of the individual works, but also draws attention to the complex creative and working processes that – from collaboration with librettists to rehearsals in the opera house – are part of the essence of the opera genre and the institutions associated with it. In addition, the book deals with Glanert's compositions beyond the opera stage and brings together texts that introduce and comment on individual works or provide an overview of the trends in his work; finally, the composer himself has his say in previously unpublished lectures and statements on music and cultural issues.

The overall effect of all the contributions to this book is to reveal the most important constant in Glanert's work: a committed attitude characterized on the one hand by a strong connection to the requirements of musical practice, and on the other by astute reflections on the situation of the contemporary cultural scene and the social role of the composer. Ultimately, Glanert's work proves to be an example of how sophisticated music can be conceived today, which, based on the conditions of its creation, involves both the performing artist and the audience as its audience and at the same time knows how to arouse curiosity in its counterpart: curiosity to embark on a musical adventure with an sometimes unknown outcome and thus also to make a preliminary decision in favor of certain qualities of aesthetic experience.

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