Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1937 in Illinois

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Jan Bach was an American composer and musician who was born on March 11, 1937, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Bach began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. He attended the University of Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance. Bach's early compositions were influenced by the works of Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland. He was also interested in jazz and incorporated elements of jazz into his compositions. In 1962, Bach won the BMI Student Composer Award for his composition "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra." This award helped launch his career as a composer. Bach's compositions are known for their complexity and use of unusual instrumentation. He often used non-traditional instruments, such as the kazoo and slide whistle, in his works. Bach's music is also characterized by its rhythmic complexity and use of polyrhythms. One of Bach's most famous works is his "Laudes," which was commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1974. The piece is a tribute to the composer's father, who was a music teacher. "Laudes" is a complex work that features a large orchestra and choir. The piece is divided into three sections, each of which represents a different aspect of the composer's father's life. Another notable work by Bach is his "Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble," which was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band in 1981. The piece is a virtuosic showcase for the saxophone and features complex rhythms and intricate melodies. Bach also wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including his "Quintet for Brass" and "Quintet for Woodwinds." These works showcase Bach's skill at writing for small ensembles and feature intricate counterpoint and complex rhythms. In addition to his work as a composer, Bach was also a respected music educator. He taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Miami, where he was the director of the Frost School of Music. Bach was also a frequent guest conductor and lecturer, and he was known for his engaging and informative presentations. Jan Bach passed away on January 1, 2017, at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy of innovative and complex compositions that continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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