Weiss was born in
Salzgitter. His compositions are influenced by
minimalism as well as
jazz and
rock music. Numerous trips (in the context of theatre workshops and tours) to Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America have also had a significant influence on his music. Weiss has received many awards for his musical compositions and films, including the Niedersachsen Kulturpreis (1982), the Kulturpreis of Bielefeld (1984), and a fellowship from the
Villa Massimo in
Rome (1985–1986). In 2009, Dorothee Mields and
Andreas Karasiak were the soloists in his requiem composition
Schwarz vor Augen und es ward Licht, dedicated to the
Knabenchor Hannover, premiered on 31 October 2009 with the
NDR Symphony Orchestra. Weiss has lived in
Mallorca, Spain, since 1984, and his music is published by
Schott Music. ==References==