Born 1959 in Cologne, German composer of mostly orchestral, chamber, choral, and vocal works, also active as a conductor.

He studied church music from 1974-76, then composition with York Höller, conducting with Wolfgang von der Nahmer and piano with Aloys Kontarsky at the Musikhochschule Köln from 1978-81. He studied at IRCAM in 1982-83, and also studied composition privately with Vinko Globokar while in Paris and electronic music with Hans Ulrich Humpert at the Musikhochschule Köln at the same time.
Numerous ensembles and orchestras have commissioned him.
A conductor since 1984, he is renowned for his interpretations of both classical and new music, with ensembles such as Collegium Novum Zürich, Ensemble Recherche, Klangforum Wien, and most especially MusikFabrik, which he co-founded in 1991 and served as its artistic director and conductor from 1991-97.