Ejnar  Kanding
Photo: Anne Sandner

Ejnar Kanding

(1965-)

Ejnar Kanding is known for exploring the possibilities within a wide range of musical expressions, from the bodily expanding to the emotionally static or melancholic. His uniquely colorful timbre unites the electronic and acoustic sound in complex textures, bodily energy, and delicate simplicity. Kanding’s music is a sensuous voyage into the unknown areas of inner life. Like a hall of mirrors, his music is a journey into the ambiguous. The musical expression, form, and phrase are in focus, often with electronic sound as a counterpoint. He is the artistic leader in the ensemble Contemporánea – Live Electronics Denmark and in EarUnit – concert series.

Kanding got his degree in composition and musical theory at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen in 1993, followed by studies at IRCAM in Paris and with Professor Lev Koblyakov in Jerusalem in 1994 and 1995, and he has since his debut concert from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in 1996 specialized himself in composing music for computer and instruments (live electronics). This has led to extensive use of the software MaxMSP in the development of his works and as an instrument in live performances.

The way Kanding uses the digital mixing console and MaxMSP as an instrument is pioneering the new assignment as a musician which is known as live electronics or sound direction. His virtuosity in this field has led to numerous performances of his own works or others of both improvised and written music with various groups, for example ensembles as Cikada (NO), Ars Nova (SE), Jack Quartet (NYC), Transit ensemble (NYC), ACME (NYC), Ensemble Adapter (DE) and Ensemble Mosaik (DE).

His works have been released on several albums, in 2022 Nordic Broken featuring Trio Ismena (DK), Stillstehen featuring Ensemble Adapter (DE), and Garden of Gethsemane featuring ensemble Contemporánea (DK); and in 2021 Nine Waves featuring Nordic String Quartet (DK/SE) and Textures & Mosaics II featuring American Contemporary Music Ensemble (US). Earlier releases on CD: such as the numbered albums titled “…unsägliche Stelle” (1997) of his debut concert with the Danish ensemble Figura, “Profundización de Azul” (2001) – an entire album of Kanding’s music inspired by his many travels with ensemble Contemporánea to five South American countries in the late 90s, “Flug der Farben” (2012) with chamber and solo works composed for Contemporánea in the course of a 10 years period and the 2013 release of “Auxiliary Blue”, Dacapo, which marks a five-year-long collaboration with Frank Bretschneider (DE).

Kanding’s music has been selected for prominent festivals such as International Computer Music Conference (2001, 2004, 2010), International Society for Contemporary Music (2002, 2008), Festival Synthése, Nordic Music Days, Up North, and Interactive Arts Performances Series at New York University, etc. Besides the Danish Arts Foundation’s three-year stipend and numerous work grants, Kanding has received several commissions from a string of international ensembles such as Osiris Trio (NL), Harry Sparnaay Trio (NL), Crash ensemble (IR), Cikada ensemble (NO), ensemble Ars Nova (SE), ensemble Adapter (DE), JACK quartet (NYC), Transit ensemble (NYC), American Contemporary Music Ensemble (NYC), Quinteto del Fuego (CH), The Six Tones (SE), Black Page Orchestra (AT), ConCordis (CH), Camerata Deià (ES), Zoë Martlew (GB), Todd Reynolds (US) as well as the Danish ensembles Figura, Athelas, Alpha Trio, Copenhagen Art Ensemble, Messerkvartetten, Ensemble Midtvest, Nordic String Quartet, Messiaen Quartet Copenhagen, Trio Ismena, Rudersdal Kammersolister.

Selected works

Series of works

Stillstehen 1-5 (2009-2017) Work cycle for bass clarinet, percussion, harp, cello & live-electronics (MaxMSP) (47-51’)

Textures & Mosaics, volume 1 (2013-2015), Clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, violoncello & live-electronics (34’)

Textures & Mosaics, volume 2 (2013-2018), String quartet & live-electronics (Max) (34’)

CRATAEGI (2012, 2022), slagtøj solo/MSP/video (47:47)

Nordic Trilogy (2020-2022) (71')

1.     Nordic Broken Clarinet in Bb, violin, cello, piano & live-electronics    (Max)

2.     Nordic Fragments Violin, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

3.     Nordic Extraction Violin, viola, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

BILLOW (STURMWELLE, 2020, 2024), solo clarinet (Bb, G, bass)/MSP/video (45:47’)

LEGENDE (2023), Contemporánea, cl/vc/perc/pno/MSP (51-53’)

String Quartet No. 1-8 (2004-2025) (including Die achte Elegie)

Larger ensembles

Flug der Farben (1994-1995) (Die zweite Elegie), sinfonietta (19’)

Vergeuder der Schmerzen (1995) (Die vierte Elegie), orchestra (11’)

Simplichitas – Textura (2018), orchestra (17’)

Emotion Waves (2019), Wind quintet and piano quintet (11’)

Available Works

All categories Solo 2-6 Instruments 7+ Instruments Orchestra Music Drama and Stage Music Educational Music

  1. Cinq Études

    2024 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    17 minutes

    Cello & multi speaker system

  2. Fragile Fortitude

    2023 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    19:31 minutes

    Violin, cello, piano & live-electronics (MaxMSP)

  3. Accordion Études, Livre 1

    2024 • Ejnar Kanding

    Educational Music

    15 minutes

    Accordion solo

  4. Angstallein

    2023 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    String quartet & live-electronics (Max)

  5. Slender Trees

    2023 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    21 minutes

    String quartet & live-electronics (Max)

  6. Rav

    2022 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    15:30 minutes

    Clarinet, cello & piano

  7. KRAPLAK – Intensely Red

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    10:51 minutes

    Violin & live-electronics

  8. Nordic Extraction

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    29 minutes

    Violin, viola, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  9. Une claire eau

    2019 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    9 minutes

    Guitar & double bass

  10. Garden of Gethsemane

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    16 minutes

    Bass clarinet, cello & piano

  11. Harmonices Mundi

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    31 minutes

    String quartet & live-electronics (Max)

  12. Arild Duo

    2019 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Guitar, double bass & live-electronics

  13. Meditation

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    1:50 minutes

    Bass clarinet and piano

  14. Impression

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    1:45 minutes

    Clarinet and piano

  15. VANITAS

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    17:30 minutes

    Violin, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  16. Papilio Machaon

    2012 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    11 minutes

    Double bass, video (Jitter) & live-electronics (Max)

  17. Nordic Fragments

    2021 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    23:30 minutes

    Violin, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  18. Still Waters – Hvilens Vande

    2014 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    3:20 minutes

    Piano solo

  19. Suite Résonance

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    13 minutes

    Guitar & live-electronics (Max)

  20. Textures & Mosaics, Vol. 2

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    34 minutes

    String quartet & live-electronics (Max)

  21. Simplichitas

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    Orchestra

    16 minutes

    2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/perc/6.5.4.4.2

  22. Ardent Flame I & II

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    Educational Music

    Cello solo or duo

  23. Nordic Broken

    2020 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    17 minutes

    Clarinet in Bb, violin, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  24. Danish Golden Age Pieces

    2019 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    21 minutes

    Cello, piano & live-electronics

  25. Emotion Waves

    2019 • Ejnar Kanding

    7+ Instruments

    11 minutes

    Wind quintet and piano quintet

  26. Miniature 2

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    Educational Music

    Accordeon solo

  27. Miniature 1

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    Educational Music

    Accordeon solo

  28. Transparent Mosaic

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    7 minutes

    String quintet

  29. Nine Waves

    2013 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    23 minutes

    String quartet and live-electronics (Max)

  30. Partita Mallorca

    2018 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    Violin, viola, cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  31. Viste Sueños

    2003 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    11:03 minutes

    Recorder (alto, voice & bass) & live-electronics

  32. Schichtstruktur

    2016 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    4:33 minutes

    Cello & live-electronics (Max)

  33. Sunstone

    2016 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    8:31 minutes

    Cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  34. Canzone 3

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    5:20 minutes

    String instrument & live-electronics (Max)

  35. Canzone 2

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    5:20 minutes

    String instrument & live-electronics (Max)

  36. Canzone 1

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    5:20 minutes

    String instrument & live-electronics (Max)

  37. Anagram 1

    2017 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    6 minutes

    Flute (with glissando headjoint), piano & live-electronics (Max)

  38. Mosaico 5

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    Clarinet (Bb & bass), percussion, piano, violin, violoncello & live-electronics (Max)

  39. Mosaico 4

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    3 minutes

    Bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, violoncello & live-electronics (Max)

  40. Canzone 1-3

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    16 minutes

    String instrument & live-electronics

  41. Sensitive Shades

    2016 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    String quartet and live-electronics

  42. Zaffre 1

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    16 minutes

    Violin, accordion, visuals & live-electronics

  43. Hammershøi Pieces

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    23 minutes

    Cello, piano, and live-electronics

  44. Textures & Mosaics, Vol. 1

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    34 minutes

    Clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, violoncello & live-electronics

  45. Texture 4

    2015 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    5 minutes

    Bass clarinet, percussion, violin & live-electronics (Max)

  46. Obscure Transparence

    2013 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    String quartet and live electronics (Max 6)

  47. Mosaico 1

    2013 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    6:19 minutes

    Cello, piano & live-electronics (Max)

  48. Texture 1

    2013 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Clarinet (Bb & bass), percussion, piano, violin, cello & live-electronics (Max)

  49. Stillstehen

    2017 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    53 minutes

    Work cycle for bass clarinet, percussion, harp, cello & live-electronics (MaxMSP)

  50. Fluctuant

    2013 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    10:16 minutes

    Cello solo and live electronics (Max)

  51. Vergeuder der Schmerzen

    1995 • Ejnar Kanding

    Orchestra

    11 minutes

    1.1.4.2/0.2.6.1/4 perc/8.8.8.8.8

  52. Three Colors – String Quartet No. 2

    2007 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    String quartet and live electronics (MaxMSP)

  53. tonlos Los tonlos

    2007 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    17 minutes

    Tam-tam and live electronics (MaxMSP)

  54. Sich hingab – String Quartet No. 3

    2010 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    8 minutes

    String quartet and live electronics (MaxMSP)

  55. Gaukler

    2001 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Bass cl, perc, vn, db, live electronics (MaxMSP)

  56. Kontur des Fühlens – String Quartet No. 1

    2004 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    10 minutes

    String quartet and live electronics (MaxMSP)

  57. Ciudad de las sombras

    2000 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    13 minutes

    Bass cl + live electronics (MaxMSP)

  58. Berge des Urleids

    1999 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    13 minutes

    Violin & live electronics (MaxMSP)

  59. Arild

    2003 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    8 minutes

    Double bass & live electronics (Max)

  60. Entbergen II

    2001 • Ejnar Kanding

    2-6 Instruments

    11 minutes

    Bass cl, perc, vn, db, live electronics (MaxMSP)

  61. Operanic

    1989 • Ejnar Kanding

    Music Drama and Stage Music

    31 minutes

    Soprano, Tenor, Baryton solo + 1.0.1.1/0.1.1.0/perc/cel/tape/1.0.0.1.0

  62. Winter Darkness

    1992 • Ejnar Kanding

    Solo

    12:30 minutes

    Accordion solo




Advanced works search

News

  1. Single release from Ejnar Kanding

    general

    Single release from Ejnar Kanding

  2. Ejnar Kanding Turns 60 –  Pioneer in the Fusion of Acoustic and Electronic Music

    general

    Ejnar Kanding Turns 60 – Pioneer in the Fusion of Acoustic and Electronic Music

  3. Ejnar Kanding: Autobiographical Statement

    interviews

    Ejnar Kanding: Autobiographical Statement

  1. Ejnar Kanding Album Release: Transcience of Time

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding Album Release: Transcience of Time

  2. Ejnar Kanding Album release: Fragile Fortitude

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding Album release: Fragile Fortitude

  3. Ejnar Kanding: Nordic Extraction Album Release

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding: Nordic Extraction Album Release

  4. Kanding World Premiere at Giacometti exhibition

    general

    Kanding World Premiere at Giacometti exhibition

  5. New publications: Pieces for Recorder & Pieces for Viola

    releases

    New publications: Pieces for Recorder & Pieces for Viola

  6. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

    nominations / awards

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation 2023

  7. Ejnar Kanding World Premiere in New York

    general

    Ejnar Kanding World Premiere in New York

  8. Ejnar Kanding Album Release

    general

    Ejnar Kanding Album Release

  9. Ejnar Kanding: Garden of Gethsemane

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding: Garden of Gethsemane

  10. Edition·S at KLANG Festival

    general

    Edition·S at KLANG Festival

  11. Ejnar Kanding World Premiere

    interviews

    Ejnar Kanding World Premiere

  12. Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

    general

    Work Grants from the Danish Arts Foundation

  13. Ejnar Kanding World Premiere

    general

    Ejnar Kanding World Premiere

  14. Ejnar Kanding Single Release

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding Single Release

  15. Ejnar Kanding Single Release

    releases

    Ejnar Kanding Single Release

  16. Selected summer performances

    general

    Selected summer performances

  17. Album release · Ejnar Kanding

    releases

    Album release · Ejnar Kanding

  18. Digital Concert Series

    general

    Digital Concert Series

  19. World Premiere · Ejnar Kanding · Der Zauberlehrling

    general

    World Premiere · Ejnar Kanding · Der Zauberlehrling

  20. Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

    general

    Significant grants for Edition·S composers 2020

  21. Uropførelse: Kanding

    general

    Uropførelse: Kanding "Guldalder Stykker"

  22. Ejnar Kanding in New York

    general

    Ejnar Kanding in New York

  23. Save 25% on all solo pieces

    general

    Save 25% on all solo pieces

  24. Upcoming Ejnar Kanding performances

    general

    Upcoming Ejnar Kanding performances

  25. Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

    general

    Accordion extravaganza at RDAM

  26. Premiere - Piano Pieces by Kanding

    general

    Premiere - Piano Pieces by Kanding

  27. Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

    general

    Significant work grants for Edition·S composers

  28. Ejnar Kanding headlines new Concordia Festival in Sofia

    general

    Ejnar Kanding headlines new Concordia Festival in Sofia

  29. Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

    general

    Danish Arts Foundation grants for Edition·S composers

  30. Ejnar Kanding and Nordic Noir in New York City

    general

    Ejnar Kanding and Nordic Noir in New York City

  31. Edition·S composers portray Copenhagen Phil musicians

    general

    Edition·S composers portray Copenhagen Phil musicians

  32. Ejnar Kanding · from Copenhagen to New York

    general

    Ejnar Kanding · from Copenhagen to New York

  33. Jack Quartet in Denmark

    general

    Jack Quartet in Denmark

  34. Kanding premiere in Copenhagen

    general

    Kanding premiere in Copenhagen

  35. Ejnar Kanding in New York

    general

    Ejnar Kanding in New York

  36. Nordlichter 2013 - Nordic Music and Arts in Berlin

    general

    Nordlichter 2013 - Nordic Music and Arts in Berlin

  37. Ejnar Kanding On Tour

    general

    Ejnar Kanding On Tour

  38. Ejnar Kanding Performance at VEGA

    general

    Ejnar Kanding Performance at VEGA

  39. Kanding & Bretschneider Concert & Release Party at VEGA

    general

    Kanding & Bretschneider Concert & Release Party at VEGA

  40. New Composer at Edition·S

    general

    New Composer at Edition·S

  41. Suså Festival – two decades of art music

    general

    Suså Festival – two decades of art music

  42. One-woman-show at Copenhagen Music Theatre

    general

    One-woman-show at Copenhagen Music Theatre

  43. Abyss music and Gothic accordion

    general

    Abyss music and Gothic accordion

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