The music of German composer Anian Wiedner has been described as colourful and mysterious with a dark intensity. Having initially trained as an organist, he is particularly keen on writing for specific room acoustics, exploring long sustaining sounds alongside contrapuntal textures and employing improvisational techniques in his compositional process. His musical influences range from the peaceful stillness in the works of Éliane Radigue and Morton Feldman, to the inherently dramatic and sinister music of Unsuk Chin and Kaija Saariaho. Anian’s compositional output includes pieces for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, orchestra, and electronics.
Recent highlights include a four-hour long sound installation in the RCM Museum, blending historical instruments with modern electronics, and music for the dance-theatre production Wonder in collaboration with the Central School of Ballet. He is two-time winner of the RCM Concerto Competition with the orchestral piece Sesquialtera (2022) as well as his violin concerto Waterfall Night (2023), which resulted in their subsequent premiers (the latter one still outstanding).
Anian’s music has been performed by musicians and ensembles such as David Nebel (concertmaster of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra), the Fidelio Trio and the RCM Symphony Orchestra and has been conducted by Natalie Murray-Beale, Graham Ross and Daniel Hogan.
Anian is currently undertaking postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a Guildhall Scholar, where he is writing pieces for ensembles such as EXAUDI and the Plus-Minus Ensemble and is collaborating with choreographers and dancers from the London Contemporary Dance School.
Anian recently graduated from his Bachelor of Music at the Royal College of Music as the recipient of the Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal. Important current and past teachers include Julian Anderson, Paul Newland, Simon Holt, Alison Kay and Jonathan Cole as well as Gavyn Bryars at the International Dartington Music Summer School and Festival.