Role

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Composer Performer

Genre

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Avant-Garde

 

Brian Belet is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 16, 1956, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Belet began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Belet attended San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music composition in 1978. He then went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in music composition from Mills College in Oakland, California, in 1981. While at Mills College, Belet studied with composers such as Robert Ashley, David Behrman, and Alvin Curran. Belet's early works were heavily influenced by the minimalist and experimental music of the 1970s. His compositions often featured repetitive patterns and electronic sounds. In the 1980s, Belet began incorporating more traditional classical music elements into his works, such as melody and harmony. One of Belet's most notable works is his 1985 composition "The Unseen." The piece is a multimedia work that combines live performance with pre-recorded electronic sounds and video projections. "The Unseen" was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and was premiered at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. Another notable work by Belet is his 1990 composition "The Garden of Forking Paths." The piece is a chamber work for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. "The Garden of Forking Paths" was inspired by the short story of the same name by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. The piece features complex rhythms and harmonies and has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world. In addition to his compositions, Belet is also a respected educator and researcher. He has taught music composition and electronic music at San Jose State University since 1989 and has published numerous articles on music technology and composition. Belet has also been a guest lecturer and composer-in-residence at universities and music festivals around the world. Belet's more recent works have continued to explore the intersection of traditional classical music and electronic music. His 2010 composition "The Gift" is a chamber work for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano that features live processing of the acoustic instruments. The piece was commissioned by the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and has been performed by numerous ensembles. Overall, Brian Belet is a composer who has made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music world. His works have been performed and commissioned by numerous ensembles and organizations, and his research and teaching have helped to advance the field of music technology and composition.

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