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 interested in the physical, embodied experience of sound as well as the creation of a sonic space through his music. Anian’s compositional output includes pieces for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, voice, 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.
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. He has written pieces for ensembles such as EXAUDI and the Plus-Minus Ensemble and has collaborated with choreographers and dancers from the London Contemporary Dance School.
Anian has recently finished his postgraduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a Guildhall Scholar and previously 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.
In addition to his work as a composer, Anian is an active organist, currently holding the position of Director of Music at St Mark's, Wimbledon. He is a dedicated advocate for new music, with his premier recording of Jonathan Cole's Templum released by October House Records in 2023. Anian also regularly performs as an improviser, creating new soundtracks for silent films.