Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 27, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Malcolm Goldstein is a renowned American composer, violinist, and improviser who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born on March 27, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Goldstein grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Goldstein started playing the violin at the age of six and showed exceptional talent from an early age. Goldstein's musical education began at the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied with Ivan Galamian and Dorothy DeLay. He later continued his studies at Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. During his time at Columbia, Goldstein became interested in contemporary music and began experimenting with improvisation and extended techniques on the violin. In the 1960s, Goldstein became involved with the Fluxus movement, a group of artists and musicians who rejected traditional art forms and embraced experimental and avant-garde techniques. Goldstein's work with Fluxus led him to explore new ways of creating music, including improvisation, graphic notation, and performance art. One of Goldstein's most significant contributions to contemporary music is his development of the "soundings" technique. This technique involves exploring the sonic possibilities of a single note or sound, using extended techniques such as bowing, plucking, and scraping the strings of the violin. Goldstein's use of soundings has influenced many other composers and performers in the contemporary classical music world. Throughout his career, Goldstein has performed and collaborated with many notable musicians and composers, including John Cage, Morton Feldman, and Pauline Oliveros. He has also been a member of the Tone Roads Ensemble, a group of composers and performers dedicated to exploring new forms of music. Goldstein's work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1999, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his contributions to contemporary music. He has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. Some of Goldstein's most notable performances include his solo violin performance at the 1968 Festival of Free Expression in Berlin, where he played a piece called "A Sounding of Sources." This performance was a landmark event in the history of contemporary music and helped to establish Goldstein as a leading figure in the field. Another significant performance by Goldstein was his collaboration with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1984. Goldstein composed the music for Cunningham's dance piece "Pictures," which was performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The performance was widely praised for its innovative use of sound and movement. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Goldstein has also been an influential teacher and mentor to many young musicians. He has taught at the University of California, San Diego, and the New England Conservatory of Music, among other institutions. Today, Goldstein continues to be an active performer and composer, and his work continues to inspire and influence musicians and composers around the world. His contributions to the world of contemporary classical music have been significant, and his legacy will continue to be felt for many years to come.

More....