Composers on their disabilities: Benjamin Staern on synaesthesia

Watch my interview with contemporary art music composer Benjamin Staern on his synaesthesia. He has sound-color synesthesia where certain sounds or music might evoke the perception of colors or shapes. Benjamin Staern (b. 1978) has established himself as one of the leading Scandinavian composers of the younger generation and the music is performed in Scandinavia, Europe, USA, Canada, Russia and Japan. Staern has a deeply personal style with an output including orchestral, chamber works, solo pieces, electroacoustic music and opera stages. An interesting aspect of his work as a composer is his unusual ability to associate tones and timbres with different colours and tints. Synesthesia, which is fundamental in his perception and the creation reflects, his sound world as well as in many of his works.

This interviews is part of my collaboration with Berlin based new music magazine POSITIONEN where as guest editor have focused on topics covering music and disabilities. Please read my interviews with JĀNIS PETRAŠKEVIČS, CARLIE SCHOONEES, BENJAMIN STAERN, AILÍS NÍ RÍAIN, MARCO DONNARUMMA, and GEORGIA SCOTT in POSITIONEN print version (in German).

Watch interview:

Selection of pieces created by Benjamin Staern:

Photo:

source: https://www.benjaminstaern.se/