Curriculum Vitae (2015)
Kai Johannes Polzhofer
Harvard University
Music Department
North Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
Phone +1 8579286689
Mail polzhofer@fas.harvard.edu
Date of Birth 04/19/1989
Place of Birth Munich
Nationality German, Austrian
Education
2013 – Studies (PhD) in Composition, Harvard University, Cambridge (Advisor: Prof. Chaya Czernowin), Conducting with Federico Cortese
2015 – Studies (B.Th.) in Catholic Theology, University of Lucerne
2009 – 2013 Diploma in Composition, Grade: Mit Auszeichnung (With Distinction), Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig (Advisor: Prof. Dr. Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf). Conducting with Prof. Johannes Erdmann-Ruddies and Prof. Barbara Rucha
2009 – 2013 B.A. in Philosophy, Thesis: „Das metaphysische Programm des jungen Hegel – diskutiert auf Grundlage der Jenaer Schriften“, Reviewer: Dr. Thomas Wendt, Prof. Dr. Pirmin Stekeler-Weithofer, Grade: A, Universität Leipzig
2008 Studies (B.A.) in Philosophy, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
2008 Studies (B.A.) in Composition and Music Theory, Kunstuniversität Graz (Advisor: Prof. Klaus Lang)
2004 – 2008 Guest Student in Philosophy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
2008 Abitur, Rhabanus Maurus Gymnasium, St.Ottilien (classical grammar school)
2006 – 2008 Studies in Composition (with Prof. Kay Westermann, Hochschule für Musik und Theater München)
1996 – 2008 Instrumental training in trumpet (Markus Rainer/Munich Philharmonic), piano (with Martina Bauer, Hochschule für Musik und Theater München) and violin. Conducting lessons with Ekkehard Hauenstein
Teaching Experience
- Harvard University, Department of Music, Fall 2015
Dr. Richard Beaudoin: "Introduction to Music Theory" (Teaching Fellow)
- Universität Leipzig, Department of Philosophy, Spring 2013
Dr. Thomas Wendt: "Von der Metaphysik zur Wissenschaft vom Glauben; Gestalten metaphysischer Rede" (Assistant)
Publications
- „Zum gegenwärtigen Stand des Komponierens.“ In: Musik und Ästhetik, 61, Stuttgart (Klett-Cotta), 2012.
- „Steven Kazuo Takasugis Dekonstruktivismus“ (2013) available at http://gegenwartsmusik.de/examensarbeiten (Institut für Musik und Ästhetik).
- „Die Vermittlung von Expressivität und Introversion. Zu Mark Andres iv 2 für Violoncello Solo.“ In: Musik und Ästhetik, 69, Stuttgart (Klett-Cotta), 2014.
- Articles about:
Mark Andre
Alban Berg
Morton Feldman
Klaus Lang
Peter Ruzicka
Pierluigi Billone
Franz Schreker
In: Frank Heidlberger / Gesine Schröder / Christoph Wünsch (ed.): Lexikon des Orchesters, Laaber (Laaber Verlag), forthcoming.
- „Commemorative Composition. Analytical Remarks on Trauermusik im Gedenken der Völkerschlacht 1813 (2012/13).“ In: Wolfram Schurig / Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf / Frank Cox (ed.): New Musics and Aesthetics in the 21St Century, Hofheim (Wolke Verlag), 2014, p. 129-138.
- „Die Autonomie des Hörens als gesellschaftliche Praxis. "Understanding Music. Philosophy and Interpretation" von Roger Scruton." In: Musik und Ästhetik, 75, Stuttgart (Klett-Cotta), 2015.
- "Sozialgeschichte" In: Christian Utz / Jörn-Peter Heikel (ed.): Lexikon Neue Musik, Stuttgart / Kassel (Metzler, Bärenreiter), forthcoming.
Conference Organization
- "New Tendencies of Contemporary Music in Germany". Lectures, panel discussion and concert), Harvard University, Goethe Institut (Cambridge/Boston), February 28 - March 2., 2015. (Organization with Dr. Steven Takasugi)
- „Musik des Dazwischen – Der Komponist Steven Kazuo Takasugi“. Concerts, lectures and panel discussion, Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Leipzig, May 5, 2013.
Panels
- "New Tendencies of Contemporary Music in Germany" (discussant), with PD Dr. Ferdinand Zehentreiter, Prof. Dr. Gunnar Hindrichs, Prof. Dr. Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf, Prof. Dr. Péter Dániel Bíro, Harvard University, March 2, 2015
- "New Conceptualism. A Dead End or a Way Out?" (curator and discussant), with Martin Schüttler, Dr. Harry Lehmann, Prof. Dr. Dániel Péter Bíro, Max Murray, Dr. Ashley Fure, Darmstädter Ferienkurse, Darmstadt, August 4, 2014
- "Göstha Neuwirts Vieux Jeu" (curator), with Prof. Dr. Gösta Neuwirth, Anja Kampmann, Max Murray, Rainer Sachtleben, Johanna Noetzel, Literaturinstitut Leipzig, June 14, 2013
- "Musical Deconstruction" (curator), wit Prof. Dr. Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf, Dr. Steven Kazuo Takasugi, Prof.Dr. Andrea Kern, Musikhochschule Leipzig, May 5, 2012.
Presentations
- "Commemorative Composition and the Reciprocity of Politics and Art", March 23, 2015, Harvard University
- "Music Without Content and Some Other Recent Confusions", February 28, 2015, Harvard University
- "Musical Silence", Colloquium, Harvard Music Department, Cambridge, November 18, 2013
- "Steven Kazuo Takasugis Dekonstruktivismus", Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Leipzig, May 5, 2013
- "Anwesendes Abwesen. Notizen zu Tombeau", Westwerk Leipzig, forma Leipzig, Leipzig, October 10, 2010.
Scholarships and Awards
- John Knowles Paine Fellowship, 2015
- Dudley Fellow, 2015-2016
- Blodgett Competition Prize for "Amen dico tibi: hodie mecum eris in paradiso", 2015
- Harry and Alice Eiler Foundation, Miscellaneous Grant, 2015
- PhD Stipend, Harvard University, 2013-2018
- Francis Boott Prize for "Trauermusik im Gedenken der Völkerschlacht 1813", 2014
- John Knowles Paine Fellowship (Harvard University), 2014
- Deutschlandstipendium, 2012/2013
- Stipend, Academy Schloss Solitude, August 2011
- Price from Austromechana for „Erlöschung-Losigkeit“ für Ensemble, 2009
- Stipend, Internationale Sommerakademie Prag Wien Budapest, August 2009.
Voluntary Activities
2015 – 2016 Assistant Conductor Harvard Radcliff Orchestra
2014 – 2015 Music Director and Chief Conductor of Dudley Orchestra (Symphony Orchestra of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences)
2012 – Artistic advisor of forma Leipzig e.V. (society for contemporary music and literature)
2009 – 2012 Board director of forma Leipzig e.V.
Languages
German, English, Latin, Ancient Greek.