Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Ireland

Birth

:

October 8, 1956 in Dublin, Ireland

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Garth Knox is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary music. Born in Ireland in 1956, Knox grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. His father was a cellist, and his mother was a pianist, which meant that Knox was surrounded by classical music from the very beginning. Knox began his musical education at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin, where he studied viola and piano. He later went on to study at the Queen's University Belfast and the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied with the legendary violist Serge Collot. It was during his time in Paris that Knox began to develop his unique style of playing, which combined classical techniques with contemporary improvisation. Knox's career as a professional musician began in the 1980s when he joined the Ensemble InterContemporain, a Paris-based contemporary music ensemble founded by Pierre Boulez. Knox quickly established himself as a leading violist in the ensemble, and he went on to perform with them for over a decade. During this time, Knox also began to collaborate with other contemporary music ensembles, including the Arditti Quartet and the Ensemble Modern. In the 1990s, Knox began to focus more on his solo career, and he released his first solo album, "Viola Spaces," in 1997. The album was a critical success and showcased Knox's unique approach to playing the viola. Knox continued to release solo albums throughout the 2000s, including "D'Un Matin De Printemps" and "Saltarello." In addition to his solo work, Knox has also collaborated with a wide range of musicians and composers, including Arvo Pärt, György Ligeti, and Steve Reich. He has also performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of the highlights of Knox's career came in 2012 when he was awarded the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. The prize is awarded annually to a composer, performer, or musicologist who has made significant contributions to contemporary music. Knox was the first violist to receive the award, and it was a testament to his groundbreaking work in the field of contemporary music. Knox's work has also been recognized by his peers in the music industry. In 2015, he was awarded the French National Order of Merit for his contributions to French culture. He has also been awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government. Despite his many accolades, Knox remains committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. He continues to collaborate with other musicians and composers, and he is constantly exploring new ways to incorporate improvisation into his performances. Knox's unique approach to playing the viola has made him one of the most innovative and influential musicians of his generation, and his work will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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