You improvise and experiment a lot as well. How do you know when a piece is finished?
Pieces always have a life. They change in the ear of the listener. When I write a piece and listen to it again after three years, then it sounds different. Because my ears and the way I hear things things are changing. So a piece is never really finished, but that’s good because if something is finished, it arouses uneasiness. Things that are finished also mean parting with them which is kind of sad. I like it when things are uncompleted. I want to leave some space for the listener and invite them to participate.
How is a composition born in your mind? Are there certain things you draw inspiration from?
Mostly I sit down at the piano in the morning and see what happens and try not to think too much. I like to take a close look at scientific or academic subjects and I enjoy reading. I am very curious and some things I experience and hear I just go into my heart and give my an idea. For me music comes from music and the music I write is both a mixing of own initiatives and a mirror of the music I listen to.
How long do you play the piano daily or weekly?
I’m not that dependent on the piano, as people might think. I mean I love the piano, but I am not piano-obsessive. For me it’s more about the sound, the music and the emotions. The piano is an excellent means to convert my ideas and to try things but there are also times, when I sit at the computer for weeks or at the tape recorder mixing and composing electronic music.
‘Stargaze presents’ will take place at the Volksbühne. Do you think this place is the right choice for the festival?
I really like the program and the concept of Volksbühne. It is definitely the most exciting of all Berlin theatres and the appropriate location for stargaze. I love this building. It has an incredible and unique ambience. Besides it calls the history of this city to mind and the people working here are just great. One the one hand it is splendid and tasteful, on the other it is rock’n’roll. And that is just what stargaze is about.
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