Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

1953

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Jim Fox is a renowned American composer of contemporary classical music. He was born on February 23, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. Fox grew up in a musical family, and his father was a jazz pianist. He started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Fox attended California State University, Northridge, where he studied composition with Aurelio de la Vega and conducting with John Prince. Fox's early works were influenced by minimalism and experimental music. In the 1970s, he co-founded the Los Angeles Free Music Society, a collective of experimental musicians. Fox's early compositions were often performed by the group, and he released several albums of his music on the LAFMS label. In the 1980s, Fox began to focus more on classical composition. He studied with Morton Subotnick at the California Institute of the Arts and later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in composition from the California Institute of the Arts. Fox's music is characterized by its use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation. He often incorporates electronic sounds and field recordings into his compositions. His works are also known for their use of silence and space. One of Fox's most notable works is "The Copy of the Drawing," a piece for string quartet and electronics. The piece was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 1992. It features a haunting melody played by the strings, which is gradually overtaken by electronic sounds. The piece has been praised for its use of space and its ability to create a sense of unease in the listener. Another notable work by Fox is "Descansos, Past," a piece for chamber ensemble and electronics. The piece was commissioned by the California EAR Unit and premiered in 1995. It features a haunting melody played by the ensemble, which is gradually overtaken by electronic sounds. The piece has been praised for its use of space and its ability to create a sense of unease in the listener. Fox has also composed several works for orchestra, including "The City the Wind Swept Away," which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and premiered in 2001. The piece features a complex interplay of orchestral sounds and electronic sounds, creating a sense of chaos and disorientation. In addition to his work as a composer, Fox has also been active as a performer and producer. He has performed with several experimental music groups, including the LAFMS and the improvisational group, Ghosts and Monsters. He has also produced albums for several other musicians, including John Cage and Morton Feldman. Fox's music has been performed by several notable ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the California EAR Unit. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In conclusion, Jim Fox is a highly respected composer of contemporary classical music. His works are known for their use of extended techniques, unconventional instrumentation, and electronic sounds. He has composed several notable works for chamber ensemble and orchestra, and his music has been performed by several notable ensembles. Fox's contributions to the world of contemporary classical music have been significant, and his work continues to inspire and challenge listeners today.

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