Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Stevie Wishart is a British composer, performer, and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of classical music. She was born in 1959 in London, England, and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a jazz pianist, and her mother was a classical pianist and singer. Wishart began playing the violin at the age of six and later learned to play the viola, piano, and recorder. Wishart studied music at the University of York, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1981. She then went on to study composition at the Royal College of Music in London, where she earned a Master of Music degree in 1983. During her time at the Royal College of Music, Wishart studied with several prominent composers, including Peter Maxwell Davies and Harrison Birtwistle. After completing her studies, Wishart began working as a freelance composer and performer. She has written music for a wide range of ensembles and performers, including orchestras, choirs, and soloists. Her music is known for its innovative use of technology and its incorporation of elements from a variety of musical traditions, including medieval and traditional music. One of Wishart's most notable works is her opera "Out of This World," which was commissioned by the English National Opera and premiered in 1994. The opera tells the story of a woman who is abducted by aliens and explores themes of identity, memory, and the nature of reality. The music for the opera incorporates elements of electronic music, medieval music, and traditional music from around the world. Another significant work by Wishart is her "Enclosed Garden" cycle, which consists of six pieces for solo voice and electronics. The pieces are based on texts from medieval mystics and explore themes of spirituality and transcendence. The music for the cycle incorporates elements of medieval music, electronic music, and improvisation. In addition to her work as a composer, Wishart is also an accomplished performer. She is a skilled improviser and has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the medieval music ensemble Sinfonye and the electronic music group ORA. She has also performed as a soloist, playing the viola da gamba and other early music instruments. Wishart is also a respected researcher and has written extensively on topics related to music and technology. She has published several articles and books on the subject, including "On Sonic Art" and "Audible Design: A Plain and Easy Introduction to Sound Composition." Throughout her career, Wishart has received numerous awards and honors for her work. In 1999, she was awarded the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Composers, and in 2001, she was awarded the PRS Foundation New Music Award. She has also been a fellow at several prestigious institutions, including the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University and the Institute for Advanced Study in Berlin. Today, Wishart continues to be an active composer, performer, and researcher. Her work continues to push the boundaries of classical music and explore new possibilities for the intersection of technology and music.

More....