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Composer Conductor  

 

Robert Paterson is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on February 3, 1970, in Evanston, Illinois. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Paterson started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. Paterson attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from Indiana University. Paterson also studied at the Aspen Music Festival and School and the Tanglewood Music Center. Paterson's music is known for its eclectic style, blending elements of classical, jazz, rock, and world music. He has composed works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and soloists. Some of his most notable works include "Dark Mountains," "Star Crossing," and "The Book of Goddesses." "Dark Mountains" is a concerto for percussion and orchestra that was commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra. The piece was inspired by Paterson's love of hiking and the natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains. The work features a wide range of percussion instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, and glockenspiel, and has been praised for its rhythmic complexity and virtuosic solo passages. "Star Crossing" is a chamber work for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano that was commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The piece is based on the idea of celestial navigation and features intricate interplay between the instruments. The work has been described as "a shimmering, starry soundscape" by The New York Times. "The Book of Goddesses" is a song cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble that was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra. The work features texts by women writers from around the world and explores themes of femininity, spirituality, and mythology. The piece has been praised for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. In addition to his work as a composer, Paterson is also an accomplished percussionist and conductor. He has performed with a number of orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Paterson is also the co-founder and artistic director of the American Modern Ensemble, a New York-based chamber group that specializes in contemporary music. Paterson's music has been performed by a wide range of ensembles and musicians, including the New York Philharmonic, the Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. His works have been featured at festivals and venues around the world, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and Carnegie Hall. Paterson has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the Copland House Residency Award, and the Aaron Copland Award. He has also been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony and the Yaddo Artist Colony. In conclusion, Robert Paterson is a contemporary classical music composer who has made significant contributions to the field of music. His eclectic style and innovative approach to composition have earned him critical acclaim and a devoted following. Paterson's works continue to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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