Friedrich Cerha was born in Vienna in 1926. He studied composition with Alfred Uhl, violin with Vasa Prihoda, and philosophy and German studies at the University of Vienna. During the 1950s, he was active in the Austrian section of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). In 1958, he founded the die reihe ensemble in Vienna with Kurt Schwertsik. From 1956 to 1959, he participated in the Darmstadt Summer Courses.

In 1960-1961, he wrote a major orchestral cycle titled Spiegel that is considered to be a turning point in his career. In 1979, he completed Alban Berg’s Lulu, whose premiere was conducted by Pierre Boulez and directed by Patrice Chéreau in Paris, bringing him international renown.

Cerha explored the different schools of twentieth century composition, in particular serialism, in works such as Formation et solution for violin and piano (1956-1957) or Relazioni fragili, which premiered in Vienna in 1960. His interest in noise as a parameter in composition (Klangflächenkomposition) can be heard in such pieces as Mouvements I, II, III (1959), and his engagement with tradition stands out in such pieces as Und du….Radiophone Komposition (1962-1963), I. Keintate (1982), and II. Keintate (1985).

Theater plays a significant role in Cerha’s oeuvre. His cycle Spiegel includes a stage version that uses movement, light, and objects. After Spiegel he composed the musical Netzwerk (1967). His interest in Bertold Brecht led him to the opera Baal (1974-1980). Other stage pieces followed: Der Rattenfänger (1984-1986) and Der Riese vom Steinfeld (1997-1999).

Among his orchestral works, two major pieces stand out in the 1990s: Langegger Nachtmusik III (1990-1991) and Impulse (1992-1993). He also wrote a number of concertos during this period, including pour violon (2004), pour soprano, saxophone et orchestre (2003-2004), pour percussion et orchestre (2007-2008), and pour clarinette et orchestre (2008-2009).

Friedrich Cehra has remained prolific, and more recent works include pieces for orchestra - Instants (2006-2008) and Wie eine Tragikomödie (2008-2009) - for chamber ensemble - Acht Bagatellen (2009) and Vier Paraphrasen (2011) - for piano - Für Marino, Gestörte Meditation (for Mario Formenti, 2011) - and for voice - zwei Szenen, which premiered in February 2012 in a performance by the Neue Vocalsolisten.

The composer’s ninetieth birthday was celebrated with numerous performances by the Ensemble Scharoun, Klangforum Wien, and oenm Salzburg. At the beginning of its 2015-2016 season, London’s Wigmore Hall held a “Cerha Day.” In 2017-2018, his orchestral work Drei Sätze for orchestra (2012) premiered in Germany, and the following season, in 2018-2019, the premiere of Drei Situationen for string orchestra (2016) was performed by the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Wien Modern Festival, conducted by Duncan Ward.

Friedrich Cehra also taught at the Vienna Hochschule für Musik from 1969 to 1988. His students included Georg-Friedrich Haas and Karlheinz Essl.

He has recieved many awards and honors, including the Grand Austrian State Prize for Music, a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale in 2006, and the 2012 Ernst von Siemens Musikpreis. He is a member of the European Academy of Arts and Sciences and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.