Role

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Composer Performer

Birth

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1958

 

David Claman is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1964 in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Claman began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Claman attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with John Corigliano and David Del Tredici. He later earned a Ph.D. in composition from Princeton University, where he studied with Paul Lansky and Steven Mackey. Claman's music is characterized by its eclectic style, drawing on a wide range of influences from classical, jazz, and world music traditions. His compositions often feature complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as unconventional instrumentation. One of Claman's early works, "Three Pieces for Piano," was written while he was still a student at the Manhattan School of Music. The piece showcases Claman's early interest in exploring unconventional harmonies and rhythms, with each of the three movements featuring a different rhythmic pattern. In the 1990s, Claman began to incorporate elements of jazz and world music into his compositions. His piece "Tango for Two Pianos" is a prime example of this, featuring a driving tango rhythm and intricate interplay between the two pianos. Claman's interest in world music also led him to explore the music of India. His piece "Raga for Solo Violin" is based on the traditional Indian musical form of the raga, and features the violin playing in a style reminiscent of the Indian sarangi. In addition to his instrumental works, Claman has also composed several vocal pieces. His "Three Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson" features soprano and piano, with the piano part incorporating elements of jazz and blues. Claman's music has been performed by a wide range of ensembles and performers, including the New York Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Kronos Quartet. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fromm Foundation Commission. In recent years, Claman has continued to explore new musical territory. His piece "Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra" features the electric guitar as a solo instrument, with the orchestra providing a lush, cinematic backdrop. Claman's music is a testament to his eclectic tastes and his willingness to explore new musical ideas. His compositions are characterized by their complexity and their ability to draw on a wide range of musical traditions, making him one of the most exciting and innovative composers working today.

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