Karl Stirner

Stirner studied zither, drums and composition with Kurt Schwertsik at the Vienna Private University Conservatory. The main focus of his musical activity is, according to his own statement, "the integration of the zither in 'serious music' and the inclusion of old or 'extinct' instruments in chamber music ensembles". In his compositions he mixes the Viennese song with electronic music and jazz elements. In 1995 he was a co-founder of the duo parent. In the 1990s he lived in Ireland and worked there as a private teacher for musical creativity. Together with Hannes Marek, he founded the Labyrinthe Ensemble in 2007. Stirner has been working as a stage musician and composer since 2002, sporadically as a dramaturge and translator at the Burgtheater Vienna. He also writes radio plays, screenplays and film music. In 2010 he composed the film music for David Sieveking's documentary David wants to fly. Together with the harmonica player Walther Soyka, he has been performing in the Soyka Stirner duo since 2002.