Biography
A life between score, podium and keyboard
Adrian Werum is a composer, conductor and pianist. His work connects European symphonic music with musical traditions from all over the world — on the podium, in the studio and at the desk.
Orchester der Kulturen & Adrian Werum, Liederhalle Stuttgart
Adrian Werum, Lerici
“I am interested in the moment when two musical languages realise they are asking the same question.”
Werum came to music through the piano and to composition through improvisation. What began as nocturnal experimentation became a catalogue of orchestral works, chamber music and film music that today comprises well over a hundred titles.
As a conductor he understands his role less as leading than as translation: he works with musicians whose training, understanding of notation and ideals of sound are often fundamentally different, and seeks the common musical centre.
- Training
Composition, Jazz Arrangement, Orchestration
Composition lessons with Friedrich-Karl Wanek at the Peter Cornelius Conservatory in Mainz. Composition studies in Vienna with Kurt Schwertsik and jazz arrangement with Christian Mühlbacher. First major TV production with Wencke Myrhe and Harry Belafonte for ORF with “Jubel, Trubel, Heiterkeit” as arranger and pianist.
- Orchestra
Musical Direction
Founder and composer of the Orchester der Kulturen since 2010. Guest conductor of the Philharmonie Baden-Baden, SWR Big Band, RIAS Dance Orchestra, VBW Orchestra and the Orchestra of the City of Prague.
- Composition
Symphonic, Chamber, Film
Works for orchestra, choir and chamber ensembles, plus music for documentary film, theatre and radio plays. Arrangements for international productions and radio orchestras.
- Piano
Improvisation as Starting Point
Solo concerts between notated music and free improvisation — frequently with reference to folk music, maqam modes and jazz harmony.
- International
Projects in Europe and the Middle East
Productions and performances in Germany, France, Italy, the Gulf states and North Africa, among others in cooperation with Universal Music MENA.