Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

January 8, 1957 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Chamber

 

David Lang is a contemporary American composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on January 8, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, Lang grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music from a young age. Lang began playing the piano at the age of seven and later learned to play the guitar and violin. Lang attended Stanford University, where he studied composition with William Bolcom and Donald Erb. He later earned a master's degree in music from the University of Iowa, where he studied with George Crumb. Lang's early works were heavily influenced by minimalism, a style of music characterized by repetitive patterns and simple harmonies. His compositions often featured repetitive rhythms and melodies, which created a hypnotic effect. One of Lang's most notable works is "The Little Match Girl Passion," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2008. The piece is based on the story "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen and is written for four voices and percussion. Lang's use of percussion in the piece is particularly noteworthy, as he uses it to create a sense of urgency and tension. Another notable work by Lang is "The Difficulty of Crossing a Field," an opera based on a short story by Ambrose Bierce. The opera premiered in 2002 and has since been performed at numerous venues around the world. The piece is notable for its use of spoken word and its exploration of themes such as memory and identity. Lang has also composed numerous works for orchestra, including "Man Made," which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and premiered in 2007. The piece is a meditation on the relationship between humans and the natural world and features a variety of percussion instruments, including marimbas and vibraphones. In addition to his work as a composer, Lang is also a co-founder of the music collective Bang on a Can. The group was founded in 1987 and has since become known for its innovative approach to classical music. Bang on a Can has commissioned numerous works by contemporary composers and has performed at venues around the world. Lang's contributions to the world of classical music have been widely recognized. In addition to his Pulitzer Prize, he has received numerous other awards and honors, including a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2010. He has also been commissioned by numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the Kronos Quartet. Overall, David Lang is a composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works are characterized by their use of repetition and their exploration of themes such as memory and identity. Lang's contributions to the music world have been widely recognized, and his work continues to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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