Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1951

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Stanley Friedman was an American composer of classical music, born on December 24, 1949, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Friedman began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the violin and viola. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. Friedman's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of composers such as John Cage and Morton Feldman. His compositions often featured unconventional instrumentation and experimental techniques, such as extended techniques for string instruments and the use of electronics. One of Friedman's early works, "String Quartet No. 1," was premiered in 1972 by the Juilliard String Quartet. The piece features unconventional techniques such as bowing the strings with a pencil and using a glass slide on the strings. The quartet was well-received and helped establish Friedman as a promising young composer. In the 1980s, Friedman's style began to shift towards a more tonal and accessible sound. He began incorporating elements of jazz and popular music into his compositions, while still maintaining his experimental approach. One of his most popular works from this period is "American Hymn," a choral work that sets the text of "America the Beautiful" to a jazz-inspired melody. Friedman's later works continued to explore a wide range of styles and techniques. He wrote several works for orchestra, including "Symphony No. 1" and "Concerto for Viola and Orchestra." He also wrote chamber music, including several string quartets and a piano trio. One of Friedman's most notable works is "The Triumph of Love," an opera based on the play by Marivaux. The opera premiered in 2003 at the Skylight Opera Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was later performed at the New York City Opera. The opera features a score that blends classical and popular music styles, with influences ranging from Mozart to Motown. Throughout his career, Friedman received numerous awards and honors for his compositions. He was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts Composer Fellowship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award. He also served as a professor of composition at the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Friedman's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Kronos Quartet. His compositions have been praised for their originality, creativity, and emotional depth. Sadly, Stanley Friedman passed away on January 26, 2020, at the age of 70. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians.

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