Heinz Karl Gruber maintains parallel careers as a conductor, composer, and singer (or "chansonnier," his chosen description). He is particularly identified with the work of Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler, which he has performed and recorded extensively. His own compositions reflect their influence, as well as that of Alban Berg, Igor Stravinsky, and pop and cabaret music, along with a liberal dose of Gruber's unique sense of humor.
HK Gruber, known to his friends as "Nali," was born in Vienna on January 3, 1943. He sang in the Vienna Boys' Choir as a youth (1954-1957). Then came...