Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1928

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Sarah Meneely-Kyder was born on August 22, 1954, in New Haven, Connecticut. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer. From a young age, Sarah showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. She also learned to play the violin and the guitar. Sarah attended the University of Connecticut, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then went on to study at the Yale School of Music, where she earned a Master of Music degree in composition. While at Yale, Sarah studied with some of the most renowned composers of the time, including Jacob Druckman, Martin Bresnick, and Ezra Laderman. After completing her studies, Sarah began her career as a composer, and her works were quickly recognized for their originality and depth. Her music is characterized by its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of elements from various musical traditions. One of Sarah's early works, "Three Songs for Soprano and Piano," was premiered in 1982 and received critical acclaim. The songs, which set poems by Emily Dickinson, are characterized by their haunting melodies and intricate piano accompaniments. In 1984, Sarah composed "String Quartet No. 1," which was premiered by the Arditti Quartet. The piece is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as harmonics and glissandi, and its unconventional structure. The quartet is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different musical idea. Sarah's music continued to gain recognition throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1992, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to India to study Indian classical music. This experience had a profound impact on her music, and she began incorporating elements of Indian music into her compositions. One of Sarah's most notable works from this period is "Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra," which was premiered in 1995. The concerto features a solo sitar, which is accompanied by a Western orchestra. The piece is characterized by its use of Indian ragas and talas, as well as its incorporation of Western classical music. In addition to her work as a composer, Sarah was also a dedicated teacher. She taught composition at the Yale School of Music from 1986 to 1998, and at the Hartt School of Music from 1998 until her retirement in 2019. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers as composers and performers. Sarah's later works continued to explore new musical ideas and incorporate elements from various musical traditions. In 2010, she composed "Three Songs for Soprano and Chinese Instruments," which sets poems by Li Bai and Du Fu. The songs feature a soprano accompanied by a traditional Chinese ensemble, including the pipa, erhu, and guzheng. Sarah's final work, "Symphony No. 2," was completed in 2018 and premiered by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in 2019. The symphony is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as its incorporation of elements from Indian classical music. Throughout her career, Sarah Meneely-Kyder was recognized as one of the most innovative and original composers of her time. Her music continues to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world, and her legacy as a composer and teacher will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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