Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1956

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Edward Smaldone is a renowned American composer and music educator, known for his contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 1, 1956, in New York City, Smaldone grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Smaldone started playing the piano at a young age and showed a keen interest in music from an early age. Smaldone attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with Ludmila Ulehla and David Del Tredici. He also studied conducting with Anton Coppola and piano with Constance Keene. After completing his studies, Smaldone began his career as a composer and music educator. Smaldone's compositions are known for their unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, chamber groups, and solo instruments. Some of his most notable works include "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," "Symphony No. 1," and "String Quartet No. 1." One of Smaldone's most significant achievements was his appointment as the director of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in 2008. He held this position until 2018 and was instrumental in expanding the school's programs and facilities. During his tenure, he also established the Queens College New Music Group, which performed contemporary works by living composers. Smaldone has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the American Music Center. In addition to his work as a composer and music educator, Smaldone is also a respected musicologist. He has written extensively on the music of Aaron Copland and has edited several volumes of Copland's music. He has also written articles on the music of other composers, including Charles Ives and Elliott Carter. Smaldone's music is characterized by its rich harmonies, intricate rhythms, and expressive melodies. His compositions often incorporate elements of jazz and popular music, as well as traditional classical forms. His works have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Smaldone's most celebrated works is his "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra." Commissioned by the New York Philharmonic in 1992, the concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with intricate passagework and soaring melodies. The work has been performed by numerous pianists, including Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman. Another notable work by Smaldone is his "Symphony No. 1." Written in 1987, the symphony is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Smaldone's skill as an orchestrator. The work has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. Smaldone's "String Quartet No. 1" is another significant work in his oeuvre. Written in 1990, the quartet is a complex and challenging work that explores the possibilities of the string quartet form. The work has been performed by numerous ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Kronos Quartet.

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