Role

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Composer

Birth

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1968

Period

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Contemporary

Genre

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Band

 

Kenneth Hesketh is a British composer of contemporary classical music. He was born on July 20, 1968, in Liverpool, England. Hesketh grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. He began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. Hesketh studied music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1990. He then went on to study composition at the Royal College of Music in London, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1993. During his time at the Royal College of Music, Hesketh studied with some of the most prominent composers of the time, including George Benjamin and Edwin Roxburgh. Hesketh's early works were heavily influenced by the music of Stravinsky, Bartok, and Ligeti. His music is characterized by its intricate rhythms, complex harmonies, and use of extended techniques. Hesketh's compositions often feature unusual instrumental combinations, such as his piece "Danceries," which is scored for brass band. One of Hesketh's most notable works is his "Masque," which was commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2003. The piece is a tribute to the music of Benjamin Britten and is scored for a large orchestra. "Masque" has been performed by orchestras around the world and has received critical acclaim for its intricate orchestration and use of Britten's musical language. Another notable work by Hesketh is his "Wunderkammer," which was commissioned by the London Sinfonietta in 2005. The piece is scored for a chamber ensemble and is inspired by the idea of a "cabinet of curiosities." "Wunderkammer" features a wide range of instrumental colors and textures, and has been praised for its imaginative use of sound. Hesketh's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize in 1997 and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award in 2009. In addition to his work as a composer, Hesketh is also a respected music educator. He has taught composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music, and has served as a visiting professor at universities around the world. Overall, Kenneth Hesketh is a highly regarded composer of contemporary classical music. His music is characterized by its intricate rhythms, complex harmonies, and imaginative use of instrumental colors and textures. Hesketh's works have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of music.

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