Benjamin Van Esser

Category:muzikant, hedendaagse componist, hedendaagse muziek
Maaseik, 1979
Genre(s):20ste eeuw, 21ste eeuw / hedendaags
Instrument(s):piano

Biography

Benjamin Van Esser is a live electronics specialist, pianist, composer and improviser, focusing on contemporary and experimental music. Apart from artistic activities, he is professor Live Electronics and Spearhead of the research group Musical Language at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

Benjamin currently focusses on computer-based performance and composition, working with hyper-extended instruments and using minimalist interfaces such as ‘monome grids’ to control extensive electro-acoustic setups. In this regard, he obtained a PhD in the Arts, researching artistic performance strategies for live electronics performers. The hypothesis of this research states that an electronics performer is a multi-threaded performer by default, creating artistic micro-universes in which performance, composition and digital lutherie are inextricably linked. This research project resulted in the composition, performance and release of ‘Coalesce’, a cycle of compositions which investigates this phenomenon, as well as several applications such as ‘Control’ and ‘MGCVM’, which are well-known in the worldwide monome community. As a follow-up, Benjamin released several applications, a.o. the application ‘Ultomaton’, a generative effects processor, built to eliminate the presence of a live electronics performer all together, using John Conway’s ‘Game of Life’ algorithm to calculate ‘electronic interventions’.

As a composer Benjamin is commissioned by organisations such as Transit Festival, Musikfestspiele Potsdam Sanssouci, Theatre Ainsi Maastricht, ensembles such as Nadar Ensemble, ChampdAction, Spectra Ensemble and choreographers such as Michael Lazic and Federico Ordoñez. His works are often heard on international stages, performed by prominent soloists and ensembles. Although stylistically diverse, ranging from children’s pieces for piano to glitch/noise/drone and multimedia, there's a clear 'leitmotiv' present throughout his creative work: metrical ambiguity. Benjamin’s ongoing research on computer-based performance and composition incorporates this phenomenon and focusses on the communication model these processes create between performer and audience.

Selective discography

Nuyts Frank - Thoughts about stacking, stomping and starting outNuyts Frank - Thoughts about stacking, stomping and starting out (2009)
21st century / contemporary
Elisa Medinilla, Benjamin Van Esser, Marc Masson, Frank Nuyts
OneginOnegin (2007)
20th century, 21st century / contemporary
Lode Vercampt, Benjamin Van Esser, Gudrun Vercampt, Dominique Pauwels, Karel Ingelaere, Aurélie Entringer, Dominique Pauwels
Frank Nuyts - Sonatas & PreludeFrank Nuyts - Sonatas & Prelude (2005)
20th century
Saori Oya, Benjamin Van Esser, Frank Nuyts

Selectieve discografie als componist

Kalès Guitar QuartetKalès Guitar Quartet (2010)
21st century / contemporary
Kalès Guitar Quartet, Petra Vermote, Richard Bernd Deutsch, Kris De Baerdemacker, Benjamin Van Esser

Related Items

External links:Componistenfiche Benjamin Van Esser
Benjamin Van Esser op Soundcloud
Bejamin Van Esser op Spotify