Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

April 8, 1938 in Poughkeepsie, NY

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Barton McLean was an American composer, performer, and educator who was born on January 20, 1938, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. McLean began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and saxophone. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his studies, McLean worked as a freelance composer and performer in New York City. He also taught music at various schools and colleges, including the University of Illinois, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition. In 1968, he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois School of Music, where he taught composition and electronic music until his retirement in 2003. McLean was a prolific composer who wrote music in a variety of styles, including classical, jazz, and electronic. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of electronic music and was one of the pioneers of computer music. He worked with various computer systems, including the Buchla synthesizer, the Fairlight CMI, and the Macintosh computer. One of McLean's most significant works is his opera "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny," which he composed in collaboration with librettist Robert Ashley. The opera is based on the play by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill and tells the story of a city where money is the only value. McLean's score for the opera is a blend of electronic and acoustic music, and it features a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, rock, and classical. Another notable work by McLean is his "Concerto for Synthesizer and Orchestra," which he composed in 1976. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the synthesizer, and it features a complex and intricate score that blends electronic and acoustic sounds. The piece has been performed by many orchestras around the world and is considered one of the most significant works in the repertoire of electronic music. McLean also wrote many works for chamber ensembles, including his "String Quartet No. 2," which he composed in 1980. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that features intricate rhythms and harmonies. It has been performed by many string quartets around the world and is considered one of the most significant works in the repertoire of contemporary chamber music. In addition to his work as a composer, McLean was also an accomplished performer. He played the trumpet, saxophone, and synthesizer and was known for his virtuosic improvisations. He performed with many jazz and classical ensembles and was a frequent guest artist at music festivals around the world. McLean was also a dedicated educator who taught composition and electronic music to generations of students. He was known for his innovative teaching methods and his commitment to helping his students develop their own unique voices as composers. Many of his former students have gone on to become successful composers and performers in their own right. McLean received many awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a National Endowment for the Arts grant. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

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