Bernward Koch, composer & pianist

Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music?

It’s simply the music itself, the enthusiasm for it, which is sustainable. When you’re older and have the enthusiasm for music like a teenager, it’s a wonderful thing that combines work with fun.

Who or what have been the most significant influences on your musical life and career as a composer?

When I was 16 years old, in the early 70s, I realized how fantastic music is. I went to a few really professional concerts for the first time (classical, jazz and rock, e.g. Weather Report) and knew I wanted to become a professional, especially in the jazz-rock-funk-jam field. I had always composed on the side, but it wasn’t until my first solo album FLOWING (1989) that it really matured. This album marked the beginning of my success, especially in the USA. To this day I am open to almost all styles of music, but strangely enough they all end up in my own style, mainly quiet piano music with instrumentation.

What have been the greatest challenges/frustrations of your career so far?

The music business is sometimes strange. You have to find the right people to work with. Of course you should believe in your own style, your compositions etc. and above all you should always keep going.

How do you work? What methods do you use and how do ideas come to you?

I’ve been using a PC with Steinberg Cubase from the very beginning (since the late 80s). I use it like a tape machine and record all the music live. Sometimes I suddenly have ideas in my head, in any situation. Then I make notes and record the ideas. But then the real work begins.

How would you characterise your compositional language/musical style?

It’s a mixture of my life, from childhood to the present day. It could be a children’s song, a folk song, a pop, rock, jazz or classically inspired song. Somehow I found my own style, the music has to breathe. But to be honest, I don’t know why it came about, it just did. We live in stressful times. If my own music calms me down after a long, hard day’s work in the studio, then it’s the same for the audience.

Of which works are you most proud?

Hm, sometimes when a melody pops into my head and it seems strong and memorable, I’m happy. It’s hard to say which album it is, but I always give it my all and at the moment I’m proud of my new album Calming Colors. It’s 100% me, the music tells little stories, it’s honest and emotional.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

Well, if you manage to make a living from your own music alone, that’s already a success. So the fact that the music itself is made just for the music itself, because you love it, that is above all an artistic success. If you then reach a lot of people who are helped by the music, who understand and love it emotionally, that’s wonderful.

What advice would you give to young or aspiring composers?

Be musically open. History in particular is an incredible treasure. As a composer and musician, you should try to find your own style with a recognizable signature, no matter how long it takes.

What’s the one thing we’re not talking about in the music industry which you really feel we should be?

It’s an old song: the music industry often forgets that we musicians, composers, etc. are human beings and not robots or machines. We create feelings, and to create them we need fine, very high antennae, especially in our music style. This should be taken into account, especially by those in the industry who earn a lot of money from it. We musicians and composers need more understanding, because we work very hard for the high quality of the music. In the end, it pays off positively for everyone.

What next? Where would you like to be in 10 years time?

To be honest, I don’t know. I try to live every moment.

What is your present state of mind?

Really good, because I’ve finished a new album, CALMING COLORS, which is being released now.

Calming Colors is out now

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