EJNAR KANDING (B. 1965)
composer in residence

Ejnar Kanding is internationally known for his uniquely colourful music, which unites electronic and acoustic sound in complex textures, physical energy and delicate simplicity. According to Kanding music should not embellish, but be a realm of fantasy. Like a hall of mirrors, his music is a journey into the ambiguous. A sensuous voyage to the unknown areas of inner life.

Kanding has specialized in composing music for computer and instruments. This has led to an extensive use of the software MaxMSP. Both in the process of developing his works and as an instrument in live performances. Despite this obsession his focus is never the electronic experiment, but always the musical expression, form and phrase.

Kanding’s music has been selected for prominent festivals such as International Computer Music Conference (2001, 2004, 2010), International Society for Contemporary Music (2002, 2008), Festival Synthése, Nordic Music Days, Up North, and Interactive Arts Performances Series at New York University.

Besides the Danish Arts Foundation’s three-year stipend and numerous work grants, Kanding has received commissions by international ensembles such as Osiris Trio (NL), Harry Sparnaay Trio (NL), Crash ensemble (IR), Cikada ensemble (NO), ensemble Ars Nova (SE), ensemble Adapter (DE), ensemble Mosaik (DE), Jack Quartet (NYC) and Transit ensemble (NYC), as well as the Danish ensembles Figura, Athelas, Alpha Trio, Copenhagen Art Ensemble and Messerkvartetten.

Ejnar Kanding was born in 1965 and studied composition and music theory at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen followed by studies at IRCAM in Paris and in Jerusalem in 1994/95. He made his debut from the Academy in Copenhagen in 1996.