[1][2] Born in Fürth, Heider studied with Willy Spilling in Nuremberg and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich between 1945 and 1951.
Within his compositions, he has been exploring both, strict construction principles and the dialogue between contemporary music and jazz (Third Stream).
As a pianist he formed, among others, the ensemble Confronto and a trio with Oliver Colbentson (violin) and Hans Deinzer (clarinet).
[4] Heider has supported endlessly fellow composers, including works by Minas Borboudakis, Horst Lohse, Karola Obermüller and Martin Smolka.
[5] His own compositions have been performed by conductors such as Péter Eötvös, Michael Gielen, Bruno Maderna, Jun Märkl and Hans Zender.