Role

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Composer

Birth

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1981

Period

:

Contemporary

 

Ryan Francis is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1981 in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. From a young age, Francis was exposed to a wide range of musical genres and began playing the piano at the age of five. Francis attended the Juilliard School Pre-College Division, where he studied composition with Samuel Adler and piano with Yoheved Kaplinsky. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in composition from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with Richard Danielpour and Nils Vigeland. Francis then pursued a Master of Music degree in composition at the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Martin Bresnick and David Lang. Throughout his education, Francis received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the BMI Student Composer Award, and the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Francis's compositions are known for their intricate textures, complex rhythms, and use of extended techniques. He often draws inspiration from literature, visual art, and the natural world. Some of his most notable works include "String Quartet No. 2: The Ocean Between," "Piano Trio No. 2: Book of Days," and "Symphony No. 1: The Space Between." "String Quartet No. 2: The Ocean Between" was commissioned by the Daedalus Quartet and premiered in 2010. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the ocean. The first movement, "Currents," features swirling, interlocking rhythms that evoke the ebb and flow of the tides. The second movement, "Bioluminescence," is a shimmering, ethereal meditation on the glowing creatures that inhabit the deep sea. The final movement, "Storm," is a frenzied, tempestuous depiction of a violent oceanic tempest. "Piano Trio No. 2: Book of Days" was commissioned by the Claremont Trio and premiered in 2013. The piece is based on the concept of a "book of days," a medieval manuscript that contained daily prayers, psalms, and other devotional texts. The first movement, "Matins," is a serene, contemplative meditation on the morning hours. The second movement, "Lauds," is a joyful, celebratory piece that evokes the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. The final movement, "Compline," is a peaceful, introspective piece that reflects on the end of the day and the approach of night. "Symphony No. 1: The Space Between" was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra and premiered in 2016. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores the concept of "the space between" in different ways. The first movement, "Interlude," is a quiet, introspective piece that explores the spaces between notes and the silences that surround them. The second movement, "Intermezzo," is a lively, playful piece that explores the spaces between musical phrases and the unexpected connections that can arise between them. The final movement, "Interspace," is a grand, sweeping piece that explores the spaces between musical genres and the ways in which they can be bridged. In addition to his work as a composer, Francis is also an active performer and conductor. He has conducted numerous premieres of his own works, as well as works by other contemporary composers. He has also performed as a pianist in various chamber music ensembles.

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