Role

:

Composer

 

Daniel Kidane is a British-Eritrean composer who has been making waves in the classical music world with his unique and innovative compositions. Born in 1986 in London, Kidane grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a singer and his mother played the piano, and they both encouraged him to pursue his interest in music from a young age. Kidane began his musical education at the age of six, when he started taking piano lessons. He quickly showed a talent for the instrument, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already composing his own music. He went on to study music at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his studies, Kidane began to establish himself as a composer, and his works were soon being performed by some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the UK. In 2013, he was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize, which helped to raise his profile even further. One of the highlights of Kidane's early career was the premiere of his work "Dream Song" at the BBC Proms in 2016. The piece, which was inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and received critical acclaim. The Guardian described it as "a work of great beauty and emotional depth," while The Times praised its "richly textured orchestration and haunting melodies." Since then, Kidane has continued to produce a steady stream of new works, many of which have been commissioned by leading orchestras and festivals. His music is known for its eclectic mix of influences, which range from classical and jazz to African and Middle Eastern music. One of Kidane's most recent works is "Woke," a piece for orchestra and choir that was commissioned by the BBC Proms in 2020. The piece was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and features texts by the poet Claudia Rankine and the civil rights activist Angela Davis. It was performed by the Chineke! Orchestra and the BBC Singers, and received widespread praise for its powerful message and emotional impact. Another notable work by Kidane is "Zulu," a piece for string quartet that was commissioned by the Cheltenham Music Festival in 2017. The piece is based on a traditional Zulu song, and incorporates elements of African rhythms and harmonies into its composition. It has been described as "a thrilling and vibrant work" by The Guardian, and has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world. Kidane's music has also been featured on several recordings, including the album "The Lark Ascending" by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, which includes his piece "Be Still, My Soul." The album was released in 2019 and received critical acclaim for its beautiful and evocative performances. In addition to his work as a composer, Kidane is also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in classical music. He has spoken out about the need for greater representation of Black and minority ethnic musicians in the industry, and has worked with organizations such as Chineke! Orchestra to promote greater diversity in classical music. Overall, Daniel Kidane is a composer who is making a significant impact on the classical music world with his innovative and thought-provoking works.

More....