Role

:

Composer  

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Mark Winges is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1957 in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Winges began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Winges attended San Francisco State University, where he studied composition with Richard Festinger and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980. He then went on to study at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1982 and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1987, both in composition. Throughout his career, Winges has been recognized for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. His works often incorporate elements of improvisation, extended techniques, and non-traditional instrumentation. He has been commissioned by numerous ensembles and organizations, including the San Francisco Symphony, the Kronos Quartet, and the American Composers Forum. One of Winges' most notable works is his opera, "The Skating Rink," which premiered in 2017 at the West Edge Opera in Berkeley, California. The opera is based on the novel of the same name by Roberto Bolaño and tells the story of a love triangle set against the backdrop of a small town ice rink. The music is characterized by its use of unconventional instruments, including a toy piano and a musical saw. Another notable work by Winges is his "Concerto for Bass Clarinet and Orchestra," which was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and premiered in 2005. The concerto features the bass clarinet as a solo instrument and explores the instrument's range and capabilities. The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as multiphonics and glissandi. Winges' music has been performed by numerous ensembles and musicians, including the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and the Del Sol String Quartet. His works have been featured at festivals and venues throughout the United States and Europe, including the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Other Minds Festival, and the Festival Internacional de Música Contemporánea de Tres Cantos in Spain. In addition to his work as a composer, Winges has also been active as a teacher and mentor. He has taught composition at the University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has also served as a mentor for young composers through programs such as the American Composers Forum's Minnesota Emerging Composer Award. Winges' music has been praised for its originality, creativity, and emotional depth. His works often explore themes of memory, loss, and the human experience. He has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Rome Prize, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. Overall, Mark Winges is a highly respected and influential composer in the contemporary classical music world. His innovative and experimental approach to composition has earned him a reputation as a leading figure in the field. His works continue to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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