Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

1942 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Brian Cherney is a Canadian composer who was born on September 4, 1942, in Montreal, Quebec. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Cherney began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin before eventually focusing on composition. Cherney attended McGill University in Montreal, where he studied composition with Istvan Anhalt and took courses in electronic music with Alcides Lanza. He also spent time studying in Europe, including at the Darmstadt Summer Courses for New Music in Germany. Cherney's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s, including the works of composers such as Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. His compositions often featured complex rhythms and unconventional instrumentation, such as his 1968 work "Sextet for Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Percussion, Piano, and Cello." In the 1970s, Cherney's music began to incorporate more traditional elements, such as tonality and melody. His 1976 work "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" is an example of this shift, featuring a more lyrical and expressive style. Throughout his career, Cherney has been recognized for his contributions to Canadian music. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of Canada in 2010 and the Prix Denise-Pelletier in 2013. Some of Cherney's most notable works include his 1981 opera "The Stars Turn," which was commissioned by the Canadian Opera Company and premiered in Toronto. The opera is based on the life of astronomer Tycho Brahe and features a libretto by poet John Glassco. Cherney's 1990 work "String Quartet No. 2" is another significant composition, featuring a complex and intricate structure that showcases the composer's skill in manipulating musical form. The work was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Cherney has also been an influential teacher and mentor to many young musicians. He has taught at McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the Université de Montréal, among other institutions. Overall, Brian Cherney's contributions to Canadian music have been significant and far-reaching. His innovative and expressive compositions have helped to shape the landscape of contemporary classical music, and his influence as a teacher and mentor has helped to inspire a new generation of musicians.

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