Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

February 7, 1958 in Detroit, MI

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

James Lentini is a renowned classical music composer who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960, Lentini grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Lentini started playing the guitar at the age of six and later learned to play the piano and other instruments. Lentini's passion for music led him to pursue a career in music composition. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance. He later earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Michigan. Lentini's early works were influenced by the classical guitar, and he composed several pieces for the instrument. His compositions were well-received, and he won several awards for his work. In 1987, he won the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Composition Competition for his piece "Sonata for Guitar." Lentini's compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and melodic lines. He draws inspiration from a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and rock. His works often feature unconventional instrumentation, such as the use of electric guitar in classical music. One of Lentini's most notable works is his "Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra," which was premiered in 1995 by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the guitar, featuring intricate fingerpicking and fast runs. The piece also features lush orchestration, with the guitar weaving in and out of the orchestral texture. Lentini has also composed several works for chamber ensembles, including his "String Quartet No. 1," which was premiered in 1992 by the Cassatt String Quartet. The piece is a complex and challenging work, featuring intricate counterpoint and shifting harmonies. In addition to his work as a composer, Lentini is also an accomplished guitarist and has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He has recorded several albums of his own compositions, as well as works by other composers. Lentini has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Aaron Copland Award, the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and the American Composers Forum National Composition Contest. He has also been commissioned to write works by several prominent organizations, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the American Composers Orchestra. Lentini is currently a professor of music at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he teaches composition and guitar. He is also the director of the Oakland University Contemporary Music Ensemble, which performs new works by living composers. In conclusion, James Lentini is a highly respected composer and musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works are known for their intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and melodic lines, and he draws inspiration from a wide range of musical styles. Lentini's compositions have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work.

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