Stefan Koim
Guitarist/Lutenist
news
“Stefan Koim is an extremely refined, interesting and versatile guitarist. His beautiful “sound” on the guitar always serves noble musical ideas. Stefan Koim is always evolving (the best thing that could ever be said about a musician!). He is always looking for bold, unusual, new projects from all eras, covering Early music to the most bizarre works of the present. I wish this excellent young guitarist the greatest success he so richly deserves.”
– Eliot Fisk –
Stefan Koim studied classical guitar and historical instruments in Cologne, Salzburg, Boston and Würzburg with Hubert Käppel, Eliot Fisk, Jürgen Ruck and Thomas Boysen. In 2017 he completed his Master Class Dimploma (Meisterklassendiplom) with distinction. His musical education is rounded off by academies, such as the Accademia Musicale Chigiana Siena and Fondazione Giorgio Cini, in addition to regular master classes with renowned musicians such as Konrad Junghänel, Jakob Lindberg, Han-An Liu, Carlo Marchione, Roberto Aussel, Pavel Steidl, Manuel Barrueco and Oscar Ghiglia. He has been supported by the Rotary Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, the Werner Richard – Dr. Carl Dörken Stiftung, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes, among others.
Stefan Koim has won several national and international prizes as a soloist. With his Early music Ensemble Cembaless, he won both the 3rd Prize and the Audience Prize of the Biagio Marini Competition in Neuburg an der Donau in 2015, followed in 2016 by the Audience Prize of the „ZAMUS Spielwiese“ and in 2017 by the Audienc Prize and Grant at the Saarland Radio and the Academy of Early Music in Saarland. In 2020, Cembaless was accepted into the advanced education program Eeemerging+, supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, and into the Kultursekretariat NRW.
Stefan Koim is constantly searching for new repertoire and experimenting with innovative concert formats. World premieres and collaborations with young and established composers such as Helmut Lachenmann, George Benjamin, Maurizio Pisati, Dieter Mack, Manuel Hidalgo and Bernd Asmus are at the heart of his artistic work. Due to his versatility, he is also in demand for film music, opera performances and various chamber music projects (e.g. Philharmonie Luxembourg, Concerto Köln, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Gürzenichorchester). Highlights have included concerts at the Paulskirche Frankfurt, the Philharmonie Essen, the Kölner Philharmonie, the TivoliVredenburg Utrecht, Jordan Hall Boston, the CSO Ada Ankara, the Händelhaus Halle, the Göttingen International Handel Festival, the Wiener Saal Salzburg, the Glasunov Hall of the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, the Gnesin Music Academy in Moscow and Harvard University in Cambridge. Koim will make his solo debut in the Shanghai Concert Hall at the end of 2024.
CD releases (solo and chamber music) at musicaphon and Naxos were highly praised by the press (including nominations for “Opus Klassik” and “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik”). He is currently head of the guitar department at the Institute for Musicology and Music Education at the University of Osnabrück.
2020/2021 | Förderung durch das Kultursekretariat NRW Gütersloh |
seit 10/2019 | Aufnachme in das EEEMERGING Programm |
2017 | Stipendium der Werner Richard – Dr. Carl Dörken Stiftung |
2015 – 2017 | Promotionsförderung der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung |
2014 | Promos Stipendium des DAAD |
2013 – 2014 | Stipendium der Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes |
2011 | New England Conservatory Merit Award, NEC Scholarship |
2010 | Stipendium der Richard-Wagner Stipendienstiftung |
2010 | Stipendium der Rotary Foundation (Ambassador of Goodwill) |
2010 | Stipendium der Fulbright Kommission |
2010 | Stipendium der Kulturstiftung der Sparkasse Hamm |
2009 – 2010 | Erasmus-Stipendium des DAAD |
2007 – 2013 |
Stipendium der Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. |
Projects
Cembaless
Cembaless lives up to its name by excelling in its rare choice of instrumentation for early music by omitting the cembalo. The ensemble is innovative, passionate and sensitive in its arrangements, always finding new ways to design their concerts, both aurally and spatially. Cembaless invites their audience into its own soundscape, bringing together fiery, thrilling and lively rhythms with intimate feelings.
Their success is proof of the magical moments they create on stage; for example, they have been awarded the Audience Prize at the Biagio-Marini-Competition 2015, the Audience Prize at ZAMUS-Spielweise 2016 and the Audience Prize and Grant at the Saarland Radio and the Academy of Early Music in Saarland 2017. In 2020, the ensemble will be accepted to the advanced training program Eeemerging+ (Emerging European Ensembles), which is supported by the Creative Europe Program of the European Union.
Daidalos Guitar Duo
The Daidalos Guitar Duo has taken on both the challenge of creating something new and illuminating the traditional in new contexts. The musicians combine their critically acclaimed virtuosity and musicality with expertise in historical performance practice and contemporary music, and translate this into innovative concert programs at the crossroads between early and contemporary music. This unique combination inspires numerous composers and musicians to collaborate with the duo.
Raphael Ophaus and Stefan Koim have been making music together since they were young. They have been awarded some of the most prestigious scholarships and international prizes, and have supplemented their guitar skills with studies in early music and musicology. This is a unique duo whose extraordinary success is reflected in their collaborations with eminent composers such as Helmut Lachenmann and guest appearances at international festivals such as the Darmstadt Summer Courses.
Performances
12/15/2024
Bach Orchestersuiten
Bielefelder Philharmoniker
Michael Martin Kofler
11:00 AM, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle
12/14/2024
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart „Don Giovanni“
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
12/13/2024
Bielefelder Philharmoniker
Michael Martin Kofler
8:00 PM, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle
12/09/2024
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
12/08/2024
Solorecital
7:30 PM, Shanghai Concert Hall
12/07/2024
2:00 PM, Shanghai Concert Hall
12/03/2024
Concert with Cembaless
7:30 PM, Großer Saal der HfM Würzburg
11/30/2024
7:30 Uhr, Schafstall Bad Essen
11/24/2024
J.S. Bach, Messe h-Moll, BWV 232
6 PM, Christuskirche Detmold
11/14/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
11/09/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
10/30/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
10/27/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
10/13/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
3:00 PM, Theater Bielefeld
10/06/2024
J.S. Bach, Messe h-Moll, BWV 232
6:00 PM, Oberste Stadtkirche Iserlohn
10/04/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
09/22/2024
„Loopino und die fliegende Flöte“
Children concerts with Ensemble Cembaless
10:30 AM/ 2:30 PM/ 4:30 Uhr
Philharmonie Luxembourg
09/21/2024
Children concerts with Ensemble Cembaless
10:30 AM/ 2:30 PM/ 4:30 Uhr
Philharmonie Luxembourg
09/07/2024
Solorecital
11:15 AM, Pauluskirche Hamm
08/25/2024
Solorecital
7:30 PM, Residenzschloss Bad Arolsen
07/28/2024
Solorecital
5:00 PM, Drüggelter Kapelle
05/15/2024
Concert with Concerto Köln, Shunske Sato and Max Volbers
6:00 PM, Konzerthaus Dortmund
05/08/2024
8:15 PM, Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden
05/05/2024
6:00 PM, Kunsthaus Troisdorf
04/05/2024
„Scherben“
Concert with Ensemble consord
11 AM, Kölner Philharmonie
04/26/2024
Opera „Dr. Bartolos Geheimnis“
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
04-05/04/2024
Royal College of Music Aarhus
04/03/2024
7:00 PM, Musikhuset Aarhus
03/29/2024
Concert with Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks and Gürzenich Orchester Köln
6:00 PM, Kölner Philharmonie
03/23/2024
J.S. Bach Johannispassion, BWV 244
4:00 PM, Kreuzkirche Wiedenbrück
03/21/2024
Premiere with Beethoven-Orchester Bonn
7:00 PM, Oper Bonn
03/15/2024
Gioachino Rossini „Der Barbier von Sevilla“
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
03/04/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
03/03/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
3:00 PM, Theater Bielefeld
02/05/2024
„Virtuosen der Alten Musik“
Concert with Ensemble Cembaless
8:15 PM, Neue Aula Universität Tübingen
01/28/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
11:00 AM, Theater Bielefeld
01/27/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:30 PM, Theater Bielefeld
01/07/2024
J. S. Bach Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248, 4-6
5:00 PM, Marienkirche Lippstadt
01/06/2024
Production with Bielefelder Philharmoniker
7:00 PM, Theater Bielefeld
DISCOGRAPHY
ROYAL (musicaphon M56975)
“ROYAL…, noble sound in courtly context,” this, in a few short words, is how one could describe the music of the most famous Renaissance lutenist John Dowland, which is the main focus of this CD by Stefan Koim. On one hand, compositions by Dowland are presented which represent an impressive fusion of heart, spirit and intellect from the quill of a cosmopolitan musician of the sixteenth century. On the other hand, there are two important modern compositions by Benjamin Britten and Hans Werner Henze, who refer to Dowland and the lute music of the Elizabethan era in their works. This is explicit in Britten’s Nocturnal, a variation work on John Dowland’s Air Come Heavy Sleepe, whose original form untypically appears only at the very end of the composition. The reference is rather implicit for Hans Werner Henze’s cycle of Royal Winter Music written in London. He was inspired by the works of the English poet, playwright and Dowland-contemporary, William Shakespeare. It is therefore inconceivable that he did not have Dowland’s lute music in his ear while composing his work for solo guitar. Therefore, the compositions compiled on this CD are intended above all to call attention to two things: the still fascinating sound of an era that is frequently called the “Golden Age” of English history and the still inspiring potential, after 400 years, of this music for that of the modern age.
Bei allen Fragen rund ums Album wenden Sie sich an:
klassik21
PR für Künstler, Labels und Organisationen der klassischen Musik
Dr. Rainer Aschemeier
Tel.: +49 (0) 5531-8 14 48 99
www.klassik21.de
- 1. Dowland: Fantasia DP73 1:01
- 2. Dowland: Fantasia DP71 1:01
- 3. Dowland: Fantasia DP 1a 1:01
- 4. Britten: Nocturnal after John Dowland 1:01
- 5. Dowland: Sir John Langton's Pavan 1:01
- 6. Dowland: Sir John Smith, His Almain 1:01
- 7. Dowland: King of Denmark, His Galliard 1:01
- 8. Henze: Guitar Sonata No. 2 - I. Sir Andrew Aguecheeck 1:01
- 9. Henze: Guitar Sonata No. 2 - II. Bottom's Dream 1:01
- 10. Henze: Guitar Sonata No. 2 - III. Mad Lady Macbeth 1:01
„When music of such stature is played this masterfully, there’s no need to explain. All the miniscule details in this landmark piece are beautifully brought out, and the climactic section before the theme finally makes an appearance has more tension and drama than usual[….] Koim’s performances are dramatic, technically faultless, and gripping throughout.“
„Auch diese CD des Musikers – ich schreibe extra nicht: Gitarristen – Stefan Koim gehört zu den besten Beispielen seit langem und zeugt von hoher Musikalität. […]Aber die sehr überlegte, durchgehörte und auch in den schwierigsten Momenten klare und beeindruckende Realisation dieser Stücke – angefangen von der vertrackten Polyphonie der Fantasien und Tänze des John Dowland bis hin zur von Shakespeare angeregten Royal Winter Music von Henze und zu Brittens Komposition Nocturnal – ist eine Sternstunde der Musik.“
„Stefan Koim stellt in seinem Spiel mit großer Klarheit, viel virtuoser Pracht und immer wieder auch einer bestechend souverän gemeisterten Mehrstimmigkeit heraus[…]So wirkt es, wenn sein Gitarrenspiel in einem vielgestaltigen Panorama zwischen meditativer Verinnerlichung und ungestümer Virtuosität die berühmten Bilder im Kopf entstehen lasst.“
„Die virtuosen Fantasien DP 71 und DP 73 erklingen mit behändiger Leichtigkeit, die üppig ausgeschmückten Pavanen und Galliarden bleiben immer tänzerisch und luftig. Die dereinst als unspielbar gefürchtete „Royal Winter Music“ meistert der Virtuose Koim mühelos und zeigt die besondere Schönheit des Werkes auf. So fügt sich das intelligent gewählte Programm bestens zusammen, findet zudem kongeniale tontechnische Unterstützung, weswegen das Fazit einzig „sehr gelungen“ lauten darf.“
À L’ESPAGNOL (musicaphon M56963)
On his debut CD “À l’Espagnol,” Stefan Koim presents works from the Baroque era to modern times. The unifying elements of this musical journey through the guitar repertoire are the origins, influences, and traditions of Spanish music. In the case of the Chaconne from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Second Partita for Violin, BWV 1004, the relationship to Spain is to be understood in terms of form: the chaconne was originally a folk dance, already verifiable in Spain around 1600. Elements of folk music are important aspects of the music written by the Spanish composers Fernando Sor, Manuel de Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo. Moreover, the French composer Tristan Murail utilized performance practices from Flamenco in his work Tellur to achieve his imagined sounds. It’s remarkable that the reception of Spanish elements took place either via France or in direct altercation with influences of French music resp. music by French composers: e.g. Bach used a French model as the basis for his composition the Ciaccona, Sor stayed in Paris, the center of French musical life during his most productive years regarding guitar music. De Falla dedicated his work to the French composer Claude Debussy, whom he very much admired and Rodrigo, as well as Murail, developed their personal styles in altercation with actual tendencies in French musical life. These composers used a mix of Spanish and French elements, creating a distinct connection among the different musical styles in Europe which overlooked national borders.
- 1. J.S. Bach: aus der Partita für Violine BWV 1004: Ciaccona 1:00
- 2. Sor: Fantasia Nr. 7, Opus 30 1:00
- 3. de Falla: Homenaje à Debussy 1:00
- 4. Rodrigo: Invocation et Danse 1:00
- 5. Murail: Tellur 1:00
„Stefan Koim – notabene! – gehört nicht zu Segovias Epigonen. Seine Chaconne steht weder dem Jahrhundertgitarristen noch Sigiswald Kuijken oder einem anderen Barockgeiger nah, sie hat ein eigenes Gesicht und das hört man bei Debütanten selten. […] „Invocation et Danse“ ist ein elektrisierendes Stück Musik, dessen Vielschichtigkeit Stefan Koim sehr plastisch herausstellt … mit deutlicheren Querverweisen, als es viele seiner Kollegen tun.[…]Er hat eine mehr als bemerkenswerte Debüt-CD vorgelegt: spannendes Programm, überzeugende Darstellung und, interessante Einblicke!“
„Stefan Koim bringt nicht nur den Mut auf, die Chaconne von Bach auf seiner 1. CD zu präsentieren, sondern er wird dem Werk auch technisch und im Formverständnis absolut gerecht. […]Die 7. Fantasie op. 30 von Sor musiziert Stefan Koim sehr fein, artikuliert und nuanciert mit schönen orchestralen Klangfarben. Auch die beiden „Klassiker“ der Gitarrenliteratur „Homenaje à Debussy“ (de Falla) und „Invocacion y Danza“ (Rodrigo) werden technisch virtuos und mit spanischen Feuer vorgetragen. Mit „Tellur“, einem spannenden Stück der Neuen Musik, gelingt dem Gitarristen ein eindrucksvoller Schluss einer insgesamt sehr empfehlenswerten CD.“
Passacaglia della vita
– an homage to the facets of life: heartache, betrayal, seduction, impermanence, excitement, fun and laughter.
Cembaless plays boldly, joyfully and passionately a hymn to life, expressing emotions ranging between the extreme polarities that human life offers. With its exciting arrangements and grooves the ensemble seeks to create spirited interpretations of early music that beat the pulse of the times!
In “Passacaglia della vita”, the persistently repeating bass melodies, or ostinati, represent the circle of life and all of its diverse emotions. These ostinati form the basis on which the different languages and melodies as well as musical styles come into contact.
Cembaless’ arrangements offer a new interpretation of songs from the 17th century to early music enthusiasts und young ears. “To us, it is especially important to make music the way we do – free from dusty music structures and very much in the spirit of our own, modern interpretation.” So can the addition of the Persian drum be seen, perfectly merging together hip-hop beats with the early music.
VÖ-Termin: 29.01.2021
Label: Naxos Deutschland
Art.-Nr.: 8.551439
EAN: 730099143936
Bei allen Fragen rund ums Album wenden Sie sich an:
klassik21
PR für Künstler, Labels und Organisationen der klassischen Musik
Dr. Rainer Aschemeier
Tel.: +49 (0) 5531-8 14 48 99
www.klassik21.de
„Dass historische Klänge unglaublich modern wirken können, beweist das Ensemble Cembaless […] Sie zeigen, wie lebendig man mit historischen Instrumenten musizieren kann – unbedingt anhören, absolut faszinierend!”
„Die vierzehn Stücke, die einen vom ersten Takt eines Anonymus bis zu der abschließenden Bergamasca von Marco Uccellini in ihren Bann schlagen, wecken Erinnerungen an diverse Vorgänger aus allen Abteilungen des Musiklebens: […] zu dieser Musik lässt sich fantasievoll tanzen. Das Ostinato entwickelt seine Wirkung auch ohne elektrische Verstärker, unplugged.“
5 von 5 Sternen
„Die herrlichen Melodien werden inspiriert dargeboten, mit einer spielerischen Eleganz, die bei aller Virtuosität eine folkloristische Leichtigkeit suggeriert.
Contact
Record Company/ Label:
Klassik-Center Kassel
Glöcknerpfad 47, 34134 Kassel
+49 561 81507461
info@klassikcenter-kassel.de
For all inquiries about the Album “Royal,” please contact:
klassik21
PR für Künstler, Labels und Organisationen der klassischen Musik
Dr. Rainer Aschemeier
Tel.: +49 (0) 5531-8 14 48 99
www.klassik21.de