Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1959

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Steven Heitzeg is a contemporary American composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born on August 16, 1959, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Heitzeg grew up in a musical family. His father was a high school band director, and his mother was a piano teacher. Heitzeg started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. Heitzeg attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition. Heitzeg also studied with the renowned composer Aaron Copland at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. Heitzeg's music is known for its emotional depth and its ability to connect with audiences. He has composed works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, choirs, and chamber groups. Heitzeg's music often incorporates elements of nature and the environment, reflecting his passion for environmental conservation. One of Heitzeg's most famous works is his Symphony In Sculpture, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra in 1993. The symphony is a tribute to the sculptures of Paul Granlund, a Minnesota artist who was known for his bronze sculptures. Heitzeg's symphony is divided into four movements, each of which is inspired by one of Granlund's sculptures. The symphony has been performed by orchestras around the world and has received critical acclaim for its beauty and emotional power. Another notable work by Heitzeg is his piece, "The Tin Forest," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra in 2009. The piece is based on the children's book of the same name by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson. The book tells the story of an old man who lives in a world of trash and dreams of creating a forest out of tin cans. Heitzeg's music captures the spirit of the book, with its whimsical melodies and playful rhythms. Heitzeg has also composed several works for choir, including his piece, "Little Tree," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Chorale in 1996. The piece is based on the poem of the same name by e.e. cummings and tells the story of a tree that grows in a city park. Heitzeg's music captures the beauty and wonder of the natural world, with its soaring melodies and lush harmonies. In addition to his work as a composer, Heitzeg is also an advocate for environmental conservation. He has composed several works that are inspired by nature, including his piece, "The Hidden Gift," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra in 2007. The piece is a tribute to the beauty of the Mississippi River and its importance to the people who live along its banks. Heitzeg's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the McKnight Foundation Fellowship, the Bush Foundation Fellowship, and the American Composers Forum's Champion of New Music Award. In conclusion, Steven Heitzeg is a talented and accomplished composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His music is known for its emotional depth and its ability to connect with audiences.

More....