Role

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Composer Performer

Birth

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February 11, 1983 in Chicago, IL

 

Reena Esmail is a contemporary classical music composer who has gained recognition for her unique blend of Indian and Western classical music. Born in 1983 in Los Angeles, California, Esmail grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a scientist, and they encouraged her to pursue her passion for music from a young age. Esmail began her musical training on the piano at the age of five, and later added the flute and voice to her repertoire. She was also exposed to Indian classical music through her mother, who was a student of the renowned Indian vocalist Pandit Jasraj. Esmail was fascinated by the intricate rhythms and melodies of Indian classical music, and began to explore ways to incorporate these elements into her own compositions. Esmail attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She later went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the Yale School of Music. During her time at Juilliard and Yale, Esmail studied with some of the most respected composers in the field, including John Corigliano, Christopher Rouse, and Martin Bresnick. Esmail's compositions are characterized by their fusion of Indian and Western classical music. She often incorporates Indian instruments such as the tabla, sitar, and sarod into her works, and uses Indian classical music techniques such as raga and tala. At the same time, her compositions also draw on Western classical music traditions, including counterpoint and harmony. One of Esmail's most notable works is her choral piece "TaReKiTa," which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2013. The piece is based on the Indian rhythmic system of taal, and features the choir singing syllables that represent the different beats of the taal. The piece was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and helped to establish Esmail as a rising star in the classical music world. Another notable work by Esmail is her string quartet "Ragamala," which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 2016. The piece is based on the Indian classical music tradition of ragas, which are melodic frameworks used in improvisation. Esmail uses the ragas as a starting point for her composition, but also incorporates Western classical music techniques such as counterpoint and harmony. The piece has been praised for its innovative blend of Indian and Western classical music, and has been performed by the Kronos Quartet at venues around the world. In addition to her work as a composer, Esmail is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in classical music. She has spoken out about the lack of representation of women and people of color in the field, and has worked to create opportunities for underrepresented composers and performers. In 2019, she founded the South Asian Music Residency, which provides a platform for South Asian classical musicians to collaborate and create new works. Esmail's unique blend of Indian and Western classical music has earned her a reputation as one of the most innovative composers working today. Her compositions have been performed by some of the most respected ensembles in the classical music world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Albany Symphony. She has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

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