Role

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Composer

Country

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France

Period

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Contemporary

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Keyboard

 

Joël-François Durand is a French-American composer who was born on February 28, 1954, in Paris, France. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Durand started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. He was also exposed to classical music from an early age, which sparked his interest in composition. Durand studied music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he received a degree in composition. He then went on to study at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Ph.D. in music composition. During his time in California, Durand was influenced by the minimalist music of composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Durand's music is characterized by its use of repetition, simple harmonies, and a focus on texture and timbre. His compositions often feature a combination of acoustic and electronic instruments, and he has also experimented with incorporating elements of jazz and rock music into his work. One of Durand's most notable works is his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet and premiered in 1991. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores different textures and timbres. The first movement features a slow, meditative melody that is gradually built upon by the other instruments. The second movement is more rhythmic and energetic, with the instruments playing off of each other in a complex interplay. The final movement is a return to the meditative mood of the first, with the instruments gradually fading out. Another notable work by Durand is his orchestral piece, "Mémoire des ombres," which was commissioned by the Orchestre National de France and premiered in 2002. The piece is inspired by the idea of memory and features a haunting melody that is repeated throughout the piece. The orchestration is sparse, with the instruments used to create a sense of space and atmosphere. Durand has also composed several works for solo piano, including "Les heures souterraines," which was commissioned by the pianist Nicolas Hodges and premiered in 2007. The piece is divided into six movements, each of which explores different textures and moods. The first movement is a slow, meditative piece that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement is more rhythmic and energetic, with the piano playing off of itself in a complex interplay. The third movement is a return to the meditative mood of the first, with the piano playing a simple, repetitive melody. In addition to his work as a composer, Durand has also taught music composition at several universities, including the University of California, San Diego, and Columbia University. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Rome Prize and the Guggenheim Fellowship. Overall, Joël-François Durand is a composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His work is characterized by its use of repetition, simple harmonies, and a focus on texture and timbre. He has composed works for a variety of instruments and ensembles, and his music has been performed by some of the world's leading musicians and orchestras.

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