Christian Dimpker
*29 August 1982
Works by Christian Dimpker
Biography
Christian Dimpker is a composer and art theorist with a background in Philosophy, History and Sound Studies, culminating in a doctorate in Musicology and Composition. Dimpker’s music includes instrumental, vocal, orchestral, choral and electroacoustic works (opera N. 1-26) with a strong theoretical basis through the treatise Extended Notation: The Depiction of the Unconventional (LIT Verlag, 2013). Currently, Dimpker is expanding this artistic research – the upcoming monograph Kinetic Notations for the Visual and Performing Arts (Transcript Publishing/Columbia University Press, 2025) develops notations for extramusical events. It enables composers to write scores for light ballets, video, performance or mediatic dances (opera N. 27-35). All pieces are published by Universal Edition Vienna. Dimpker’s artistic research has been recognised through numerous grants, inter alia awarded by the Berlin Senate, the German government, the E.ON and Lotto foundations as well as the German Artist Fund, Musikfonds and GEMA – with performances and exhibitions across Germany, Japan, France, South Korea, Portugal, Australia, Serbia, the USA, England, Sweden and Romania by ensembles such as the International Contemporary Ensemble, Contemporary Insights, Elision Ensemble, Ensemble 2e2m and Ensemble Resonanz. In addition, Dimpker’s works as a music engraver include Helmut Lachenmann’s Schreiben for Breitkopf & Härtel and numerous pieces for James Dashow.
About the music
I consider notation an autonomous art form that is not limited to the field of music, while I strive to push its boundaries. This compositional work may be regarded as research that explores the shape of this world. And the deeper my work explores this complexity, the more beauty I discover. A big part of this research has been made possible by developing an extensive notation system for unconventional playing / singing techniques and electroacoustic music. This treatise with the title Extended notation forms the basis of all my compositions. Currently, I am extending my notational work to the visual arts, choreography and the theatre. I have just finished the comprehensive treatise Kinetic notations for the visual and performing arts in order to be able to work in this way.
