Xol Meissner
Concert
Video
With his concert, New York-based Xol Meissner — the alter ego of classically trained composer Mauro Hertig — transformed the HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark into an immersive soundscape of extraordinary intensity. His compositions blend contemporary classical music with avant-garde rock and are characterized by dense arrangements, poetic and enigmatic lyrics, and a distinctive sonic aesthetic. With his haunting baritone voice and lap steel guitar, Meissner unfolds a multi-layered sonic spectrum ranging from minimalist synthesizer pads and experimental effects to quiet, stripped-down moments that convey a special emotional openness and vulnerability. His music evokes a dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of David Lynch and testifies to uncompromising artistic independence. The audience can expect an extraordinary concert experience that will leave a lasting impression with its hypnotic pull.
Artists
Participating artists
Xol Meissner
is a composer who works at the intersection of contemporary music, sound, and performance. He studied composition at Zurich University of the Arts and at University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where he completed his master’s degree with Beat Furrer and Klaus Lang. His works have been performed by the Basel Sinfonietta, Ensemble Recherché, Collegium Novum Zurich, ORF, ECLAT Stuttgart, and the Witten Days for New Chamber Music, among others.
Under the alias Xol Meissner, Mauro Hertig releases experimental music at the intersection of song, electronics, and noise. The album Excess of Loss (Birdwatcher Records, 2025) received international acclaim and was presented live in Europe and the USA.
Awards: Start-up scholarship from the Austrian Federal Chancellery, the IRCAM program ULYSSES (“Promising Young Composer”) and selection as a laureate of the Voix-Nouvelles Académie.
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Michael Krebber in conversation with Sandro Droschl A.rtificial I.ntrospection O.
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Tobias Boos