CHARLES BAUMSTARK-
COMPOSER

"Charles possesses extensive expertise and is an incredibly idiosyncratic and original composer."

Martijn Padding

"A great master in subtle instrumentation which we saw in his pieces for the Residentie Orkest, also very much appreciated by the musicians of the orchestra."

Jan van de Putte

Charles Baumstark, a French composer and conductor, currently resides in the Hague. Spending short periods of his childhood in diverse cultural surroundings of Brazil and Lebanon later influenced his unique musical identity.

An exciting highlight of Baumstark's upcoming 2023/24 season is the highly anticipated world premiere of his first opera, Les Papillons de Terezín, set to take place in June 2024.

Recently, prestigious ensembles such as the Residentie Orkest and the New European Ensemble premiered Charles Baustark's music. As a composer, he has also worked extensively with renowned contemporary music groups including RSNO Alchemy, RedNote Ensemble, Glasgow New Music Expedition, and Edinburgh Contemporary Music Ensemble. Notably, his work for a large ensemble garnered him a Special Prize at the esteemed BMIMF 2019 Composition Competition held in Busan, South Korea.

At the heart of Baumstark’s compositions is a poetic exploration of metaphysics and nature. His more recent musical works often unfold in a world inspired by surreal landscapes and imagery that subduedly invite the audience to reflect on their own life journey. A poem of his own writing serves as a program note, like a map guiding a captivated audience through his metaphysical world.

As a conductor, Charles has dedicated himself to the premiere and recording of numerous works, thoroughly enjoying his role in bringing music to life. He has had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with esteemed institutions such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Scottish Opera, studying under distinguished conductors like Thomas Søndergård, Martyn Brabbins, Christopher Seaman, Rumon Gamba, and Kristjan Järvi.

Charles earned his Master's degree from the prestigious composition department at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague, guided by the expertise of professors Jan van de Putte, Guus Janssen and Diderik Wagenaar. Prior to this, he completed a Bachelor of Music (Hons.) at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, successfully undertaking the Joint Principal Study course in Composition mentored by Rory Boyle and Linda Buckley, as well as in Conducting under Garry Walker and Alasdair Mitchell. In 2017, Charles was selected to participate in an exchange program in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, where he refined his composition skills under Mikhail Fuchsmann and studied conducting with Yuri Mashin. Furthermore, he holds a degree in general Mathematics from Université Paris-Sud XI.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Baumstark's talents extend to poetry and painting, showcasing his multifaceted artistic abilities.

© Jacques Audonnet

Large ensemble & Orchestra Dernier écho du chant éclatant d’un vent de minuit (2022) 2.2.2.2 – 4.2.2.0 – timp. – 14.12.10.8.6 2’30” Written for the Residentie Orkest as part of their One Minute Symphony series. Præludium & Fuga (2022) 0.2.0.1 – 0.0.3.0 – harpsich. – 6.6.4.3.1 6′ en l’honneur du 300ème anniversaire du Premier livre du “Clavier bien tempéré” de J.S. Bach Second prize of the Bachdag Festival Composition Competition 2022 (Amersfoort, The Netherlands) Fantaisie (2018) 1.0.1.0 – 1perc. – 8.8.6.4.2 11′ Special Prize of the BMIMF Composition Competition 2019 (Busan, South Korea) 8+ Players In medias res Concertino pour douze instrumentistes (2021) fl, cl, bn – hn, tp, tbn – 2perc. – string quartet 5’20” Written for the Residentie Orkest Jeu de symétries (2019) fl, alt.sax – hn, tp, tbn – pno – 1,1,1,1,1 6’20” Quatre Explorations (2017) fl, alt.sax, bn – pno – 1,1,1,1,1 10′ 4 - 7 Players [Dis/re]-connecting (2023) 3 perc., string quartet, tape and video projection 30′ à XTRO & Pelargos Quartet Miniature-Fantaisie (2023) cl, vla, clo, perc. 1’30” Oblitération inéluctable (2023) bar.sax, ten.sax, tbn, guit., pno, perc. 3′ à Ensemble Klang Échappée iridescente (2022) cl, tp, vn, clo, pno 7′ à New European Ensemble Dissolution en harmoniques (2019) String Quartet 2′

Trio Acceptation II (2023) for flute, viola and harp 8′ Suspendu / Mécanique (2021) for 3 percussionists 15′ Rêverie (2018) for violin, cello and piano 13′ De l’heure bleue à l’heure dorée (2015) for clarinet, cello and piano 7′ Duo Aperçus / Symétriques (2021) for 2 cellos 5′ à Diederik Smulders & Lola Ramirez Dialogue (2017) for 2 pianos 2′ DUO (2016) for 2 alt.Saxophones 6′ Commissioned by the Cumnock Tryst Festival Solo Chant des rivages du Vent d’Ouest (2023) for recorder 12′ Acceptation (2022) for luth 7′ Dans l’ombre de Terezín (2022) for cellist and media 10′ aux petites âmes de Terezín Cinq Éclats d’Éternité (2018-21) for piano 15′