Role

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Composer  

Period

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Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Vocal

 

Salvatore Macchia was born on August 22, 1952, in Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Macchia began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the bass guitar. He attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied composition and performance. After graduating from Berklee, Macchia moved to New York City, where he began working as a freelance musician. He played bass guitar in various jazz and rock bands and also worked as a studio musician. During this time, he became interested in contemporary classical music and began studying composition with composer Charles Wuorinen. Macchia's early compositions were influenced by the avant-garde music of composers such as Wuorinen, Milton Babbitt, and Elliott Carter. His works from this period often featured complex rhythms and harmonies and were characterized by their intellectual rigor. In the 1980s, Macchia began to incorporate elements of popular music into his compositions. He became interested in the music of Frank Zappa and began to experiment with rock rhythms and instrumentation in his works. This fusion of classical and popular music became a hallmark of Macchia's style. One of Macchia's most well-known works is his 1987 composition "The Big Apple Suite." This piece is a tribute to New York City and features a variety of musical styles, including jazz, rock, and classical. The work is divided into five movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the city, such as the hustle and bustle of Times Square and the tranquility of Central Park. Another notable work by Macchia is his 1992 composition "The Honeymoon Suite." This piece is a musical depiction of a honeymoon and features a variety of moods and emotions, from the excitement of the wedding day to the peacefulness of the honeymoon. The work is scored for a small ensemble and features a mix of classical and popular music styles. Macchia's music has been performed by a variety of ensembles and orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to his work as a composer, Macchia has also been a professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst since 1984. He has taught courses in composition, music theory, and electronic music and has mentored many young composers. Salvatore Macchia's music is characterized by its fusion of classical and popular music styles and its intellectual rigor. His works often feature complex rhythms and harmonies and are known for their emotional depth and expressive power. Macchia's contributions to contemporary classical music have been significant, and his influence can be heard in the work of many younger composers today.

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