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Composer  

 

Jessica Krash was born on May 12, 1965, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a cellist. From a young age, Krash showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. She later learned to play the violin and the cello. Krash attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied composition with Milton Babbitt and Roger Sessions. She also studied piano with Adele Marcus and chamber music with Felix Galimir. During her time at Juilliard, Krash was awarded several prestigious scholarships and awards, including the William Schuman Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Composition. After graduating from Juilliard, Krash continued her studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Ph.D. in composition. While at Berkeley, she studied with Andrew Imbrie and Olly Wilson and was awarded the Eisner Prize for Creative Achievement in Music. Krash's music is characterized by its complexity and intellectual rigor. She is known for her use of intricate rhythms, unconventional harmonies, and complex textures. Her compositions often explore philosophical and literary themes, and she has been influenced by the works of writers such as Samuel Beckett and Jorge Luis Borges. Krash's early works include a number of chamber music pieces, including String Quartet No. 1 (1988) and Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1990). These works demonstrate her early interest in exploring complex rhythmic structures and unconventional harmonies. In the mid-1990s, Krash began to focus more on orchestral music. Her orchestral works include Symphony No. 1 (1995) and Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1998). These works demonstrate her ability to create complex textures and intricate rhythms on a larger scale. Krash's most well-known work is perhaps her opera, The Death of Webern (2003). The opera tells the story of the death of the Austrian composer Anton Webern, who was accidentally shot by an American soldier at the end of World War II. The opera explores themes of violence, loss, and the role of art in times of war. The Death of Webern has been performed at several major opera houses, including the San Francisco Opera and the Royal Opera House in London. Krash's more recent works include String Quartet No. 2 (2010) and Symphony No. 2 (2015). These works continue to explore her interest in complex rhythms and unconventional harmonies, while also incorporating elements of improvisation and jazz. Krash has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacDowell Colony Fellowship, and a Fromm Foundation Commission. She has also been commissioned by several major orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the Kronos Quartet. In addition to her work as a composer, Krash is also a respected music educator. She has taught at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago. She is currently a professor of music at the University of Michigan. Krash's music has been praised for its intellectual depth and emotional power. Her works are challenging and thought-provoking, but also deeply moving. She is considered one of the most important composers of her generation, and her influence on contemporary classical music is sure to be felt for many years to come.

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