Role

:

Composer  

Death

:

2016

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Ballet

 

 

Choral

 

David Johnston was a renowned classical music composer who was born on December 26, 1949, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a music teacher and a pianist, and his parents recognized his musical talent at an early age. Johnston began playing the piano when he was just four years old, and by the time he was a teenager, he had already composed several pieces of music. Johnston attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition with the renowned composer Samuel Barber. He also studied piano with Rudolf Serkin and Mieczyslaw Horszowski. After graduating from the Curtis Institute, Johnston went on to earn a master's degree in composition from the Yale School of Music. Throughout his career, Johnston composed a wide variety of music, including orchestral works, chamber music, and vocal music. His music was known for its lyricism, emotional depth, and technical virtuosity. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of tonality and harmony, and his music often featured complex harmonic structures and richly textured melodies. One of Johnston's early works was his Piano Sonata, which he composed while he was still a student at the Curtis Institute. The piece was premiered by the pianist Peter Serkin in 1971 and was later recorded by Serkin for the RCA label. The Piano Sonata is a virtuosic work that showcases Johnston's technical skill as a composer and pianist. It features a complex harmonic structure and a wide range of moods and emotions. Another notable work from Johnston's early career was his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1974. The piece was premiered by the Arditti Quartet and was later recorded by the Kronos Quartet. The String Quartet No. 1 is a highly expressive work that features a wide range of textures and colors. It is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as glissandi and harmonics, and its complex rhythmic structures. In the 1980s, Johnston began to explore the possibilities of electronic music. He composed several works for electronic instruments, including his Electronic Quartet, which was premiered in 1983. The piece features four synthesizers and explores the possibilities of timbre and texture in electronic music. Johnston also composed several works for acoustic instruments and electronics, including his Chamber Concerto, which was premiered in 1987. One of Johnston's most famous works is his Symphony No. 4, which he composed in 1992. The piece was commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra and was premiered by the orchestra under the direction of Wolfgang Sawallisch. The Symphony No. 4 is a highly emotional work that explores themes of loss and redemption. It features a wide range of textures and colors, and its complex harmonic structure is characterized by its use of tonal centers and chromaticism. Johnston continued to compose throughout the 1990s and 2000s, producing a wide variety of works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, and solo instruments. One of his most notable works from this period was his Violin Concerto, which he composed in 2001. The piece was premiered by the violinist Jennifer Koh and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and was later recorded by Koh for the Cedille label. The Violin Concerto is a highly virtuosic work that showcases Johnston's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the violin as an instrument.

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