Essl was born in Vienna. His studies at the University of Music in Vienna included composition under Friedrich Cerha, electroacoustic music under Dieter Kaufmann, and double bass. At the University of Vienna he studied musicology and wrote his doctoral thesis on "Das Synthese-Denken bei Anton Webern" (1989).
From 1992 to 2016, he was the music curator of the Essl Collection in Klosterneuburg, near Vienna. Between 1995 and 2006, he taught algorithmic composition at the Studio for Advanced Music & Media Technology for the Anton Bruckner Private University for Music, Drama, and Dance in Linz, Austria. As of 2007, Essl is professor of composition for electroacoustic and experimental music at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. [1]
Essl's formative years were marked by an early exposure to classical music theory, as well as an academic engagement with serialism and modern music technologies. His interest in blending traditional musical practices with new technologies led him to the field of electronic music, where he would develop a reputation for innovation and experimentation.
Essl's work with computers (with emphases on algorithmic composition and generative music) and prolonged occupation with the poetics of serial music have been formative influences on his compositional thinking. Besides writing instrumental music, Karlheinz Essl also works in the field of electronic music, creating interactive realtime compositions and sound installations.
Since the early 1990s, he has developed various software environments for realtime composition which he uses for his own live performances and also in collaboration with artists from other fields, including choreographers, dancers, visual artists, and poets). [2] Essl has also carried out a number of Internet-based projects and became increasingly involved with improvisation. [3]
Essl began developing a computer-based electronic instrument called m@ze°2 in 1998. He has used it to improvise during live performances. Since 2008, he is working on Sequitur, a series of compositions for various solo instruments and live electronics. He has recently written several solo and ensemble pieces for electric guitar.
While working on commission at IRCAM in Paris (1992–1993), he was composer-in-residence at the Darmstädter Ferienkurse für Neue Musik (1990–1994). In 1997, Essl was featured at the Salzburg Festival with portrait concerts and sound installations. In 2003, he was artist-in-residence of the festival musik aktuell, and in 2004 he was presented with a series of portrait concerts at the Brucknerhaus Linz. He was the 2008–2009 composer-in-residence of the Belgium ensemble Champ d'Action.
Essl has been a pioneer in the use of algorithmic composition and generative music. These approaches involve the use of algorithms, computer programs, or systems to generate musical structures, often in real-time, creating music that evolves according to predefined rules or randomly determined processes. Essl's work in this area has greatly influenced contemporary trends in algorithmic composition, and he often integrates these processes into his live performances.
In addition to composing instrumental and electronic music, Essl is known for creating interactive real-time compositions and sound installations. His works in this domain often involve the audience or environment in real-time, influencing the composition or sound output during the performance or installation. These works explore the intersection of sound, technology, and human interaction, allowing for a more immersive and dynamic experience.
Since the early 1990s, Essl has developed a variety of software environments for real-time composition, which he uses in both his live performances and collaborations with artists from diverse fields. These software tools allow Essl to create music interactively, often in collaboration with dancers, choreographers, visual artists, and poets. His technical contributions have been instrumental in advancing live electronic music and expanding the possibilities of interactive composition.
For more information on the software developed by Essl, visit [his official website](http://www.essl.at/software.html).
Essl began developing a computer-based electronic instrument called m@ze°2 in 1998. This instrument, which he uses for improvisation, has become an integral part of his live performances, allowing for spontaneous creation and manipulation of sound in real-time.
In 2008, Essl began work on the Sequitur project, a series of compositions for various solo instruments combined with live electronics. These compositions have been central to his recent output and showcase his continued interest in the relationship between acoustic instruments and live electronic processing.
In recent years, Essl has written several solo and ensemble pieces for electric guitar, reflecting his ongoing interest in blending acoustic and electronic elements. His works often involve complex interactions between musicians and technology, emphasizing the role of improvisation and spontaneity.
Essl has also collaborated with various artists across disciplines, including choreographers, dancers, and visual artists, often creating interdisciplinary performances that merge music, dance, and visual art.
Essl's work has been a significant influence on the development of contemporary electronic music, especially in the fields of algorithmic composition, generative music, and interactive sound installations. His innovative approach to music technology and his contributions to real-time composition software have made him an important figure in the avant-garde music scene.
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