Bernhard Kontarsky

Although he has performed often as a pianist, Bernhard Kontarsky is best known as a conductor and champion of contemporary music, particularly in the realm of opera. He has conducted many important operatic world premieres, including Mauricio Kagel's Die Erschöpfung der Welt (1980) and Hans Zender's Don Quijote de la Mancha (1993). Most of his discography has been devoted either to contemporary works or to generally neglected repertory out of the past. Thus, while he has conducted many of the repertory staples, especially in opera (Carmen, Boris Godunov), he is more closely as...