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Composer Performer

 

Frank J. Oteri is a contemporary classical music composer, writer, and advocate based in New York City. Born on January 31, 1964, in New York City, Oteri grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Oteri started playing the piano at the age of five and began composing music when he was a teenager. Oteri received his Bachelor of Music degree in composition from the Manhattan School of Music in 1986 and his Master of Music degree in composition from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in 1988. He also studied at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival. Oteri's music is characterized by its eclecticism, drawing on a wide range of influences, including jazz, rock, and world music. His compositions often feature unconventional instrumentation, such as toy pianos, accordions, and electronic instruments. Oteri's music has been performed by numerous ensembles and soloists, including the American Composers Orchestra, the New York New Music Ensemble, and pianist Kathleen Supové. One of Oteri's most notable works is his opera, The Nubian Word for Flowers, which premiered in 2019 at the Prototype Festival in New York City. The opera, which was co-commissioned by the festival and the Harlem-based music organization, The Dream Unfinished, tells the story of the life and work of the composer and ethnomusicologist, George Quincy. The opera features a libretto by poet and playwright, Caridad Svich, and incorporates elements of jazz, blues, and African music. In addition to his work as a composer, Oteri is also a prolific writer and advocate for contemporary classical music. He is the co-founder and co-editor of NewMusicBox, an online magazine that covers contemporary classical music and the people who make it. Oteri has also written for numerous other publications, including The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Chamber Music magazine. Oteri has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer and advocate for contemporary classical music. In 2005, he was awarded the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for his writing about music. In 2013, he was named a recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Charles Ives Fellowship, which recognizes outstanding young composers. Overall, Frank J. Oteri is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of contemporary classical music. His eclectic and innovative compositions, as well as his work as a writer and advocate, have helped to shape the direction of the genre in the 21st century.

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