Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

January 11, 1962 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Alex Shapiro is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 30, 1962, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her father being a jazz pianist and her mother a classical pianist. Shapiro began playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. She attended the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied composition and electronic music. Shapiro's early works were influenced by jazz and rock music, but she later turned to classical music. Her compositions are known for their use of electronic sounds and their incorporation of natural sounds, such as the sounds of the ocean and the wind. Shapiro's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and she has won numerous awards for her work. One of Shapiro's most famous works is "Deep," a piece for string orchestra and pre-recorded sounds of the ocean. The piece was inspired by Shapiro's love of scuba diving and her fascination with the underwater world. "Deep" has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the Seattle Symphony and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Another notable work by Shapiro is "Paper Cut," a piece for wind ensemble that incorporates the sounds of paper being crumpled and torn. The piece was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West and has been performed by wind ensembles around the world. Shapiro's music often explores themes of nature and the environment. Her piece "Below" is a tribute to the coral reefs of the world, which are threatened by climate change and pollution. The piece incorporates sounds of the ocean and the coral reefs, as well as electronic sounds created by Shapiro. In addition to her work as a composer, Shapiro is also an advocate for new music and the use of technology in music. She has written articles and given lectures on these topics, and she has served on the boards of several music organizations. Shapiro's music has been praised for its emotional depth and its ability to connect with audiences. Her use of electronic sounds and natural sounds has been particularly innovative, and her work has helped to push the boundaries of classical music. Shapiro continues to compose new works and to inspire audiences around the world with her music.

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