Prize of the Fondation Suisa for Gary Berger

According to the jury, Gary Berger's music creates an organic relationship to electronics without making it seem like an exotic addition. The composer consistently places the possibilities of electronics at the center of his work. In doing so, he demonstrates a virtuoso approach to the new technologies. His repertoire includes compositions for large ensembles and solo instruments as well as tape works.

Born in 1967, Berger beat off competition from 100 other candidates. He studied percussion at the Musikhochschule Zürich and composition with Julio Estrada in Paris and with Gerald Bennett and Daniel Glaus at the Hochschule Musik und Theater Zürich.

Between 1998 and 2010, he founded and directed various electroacoustic music projects such as the "Notstrom" ensemble and the "Generator" concert series at Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). He has been a lecturer in electroacoustic music at the ZHdK since 2001. He also works as a freelance composer in Zurich.

The Fondation Suisa Prize honors outstanding achievements in the field of music and aims to support the prizewinners and make them known at home and abroad. The prize is awarded in a different category each year.

The jury for the orchestra, instrumental or vocal ensemble and electronics category consists of Xavier Dayer (Suisa President), Peter Kraut (Deputy Head of the Music Department at the Bern University of the Arts), Peter Révai (musicologist, journalist), Daniel Weissberg (composer, lecturer at the Bern University of the Arts) and Urs Schnell (Director of the Fondation Suisa).