Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1954

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Chamber

 

Brian Kershner was born on May 12, 1978, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical violinist. From a young age, Kershner showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Kershner's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. He began taking piano lessons with renowned pianist and teacher, Maria João Pires, at the age of six. Under her guidance, Kershner developed a deep understanding of classical music and honed his skills as a pianist. As a teenager, Kershner began composing his own music. He was heavily influenced by the works of classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, as well as jazz musicians like Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans. Kershner's compositions were a unique blend of classical and jazz elements, with intricate harmonies and complex rhythms. After graduating from high school, Kershner attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with John Corigliano. During his time at Juilliard, Kershner's compositions began to gain recognition, and he was awarded several prestigious prizes, including the BMI Student Composer Award and the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award. Kershner's early works were characterized by their complexity and technical virtuosity. His Piano Sonata No. 1, written when he was just 19 years old, was a tour-de-force of pianistic technique, with intricate passagework and complex harmonies. His String Quartet No. 1, written a few years later, was a more introspective work, with lyrical melodies and subtle harmonies. In 2001, Kershner was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to write a new work for their annual Young People's Concerts. The resulting piece, titled "The Adventures of Max and Molly," was a playful and whimsical work for orchestra, inspired by the composer's own childhood memories of exploring the city with his siblings. Over the next few years, Kershner continued to write works for a variety of ensembles, including chamber music, orchestral works, and solo piano pieces. His music was performed by some of the world's leading musicians, including pianist Lang Lang, violinist Joshua Bell, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In 2008, Kershner was commissioned by the New York City Ballet to write a new work for their annual Fall Gala. The resulting ballet, titled "In the City," was a vibrant and energetic work, with driving rhythms and colorful harmonies. The ballet was a critical and commercial success, and Kershner was hailed as one of the most promising young composers of his generation. In the years that followed, Kershner continued to write music that was both technically demanding and emotionally powerful. His Piano Concerto, written in 2012, was a virtuosic tour-de-force for piano and orchestra, with intricate passagework and soaring melodies. His Symphony No. 1, written in 2015, was a more introspective work, with lush harmonies and a hauntingly beautiful slow movement. Throughout his career, Kershner remained committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music and exploring new sounds and techniques. His music was characterized by its complexity and technical virtuosity, as well as its emotional depth and expressive power. He was widely regarded as one of the most important composers of his generation, and his music continues to be performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

More....