Born in Salzburg in 1959, Gerhard E. Winkler studied composition with Helmut Eder at the Mozarteum University and musicology, philosophy and psychology at the Salzburg and Vienna Universities. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Penderecki and sound composition in the 20^th century. He has been working as a freelance composer since 1999. His music has been performed at major festivals all over Europe, including Wien Modern, Donaueschingen Festival, Munich Biennale, IRCAM Paris, Salzburg Festival, and steirischer herbst.