Role

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Composer  

Genre

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Chamber

 

Kurt Rohde is a contemporary classical music composer, violist, and professor of music at the University of California, Davis. He was born on August 16, 1966, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Bay Area. Rohde began playing the viola at the age of 10 and was soon performing in youth orchestras and chamber music groups. Rohde received his Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Isadore Tinkleman. He then went on to earn his Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Samuel Rhodes. Rohde also holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied with Andrew Imbrie. Rohde's compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and use of extended techniques. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including chamber groups, orchestras, and solo performers. Some of his most notable works include "Double Trouble" for two violas and "Blindnesses" for string quartet. In addition to his work as a composer, Rohde is also an accomplished violist. He has performed with a number of orchestras and chamber music groups, including the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Opera, and the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. Rohde is also a founding member of the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble and the Earplay Ensemble. Rohde has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer, including the Rome Prize, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Barlow Prize. His music has been performed by a number of prominent ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet, the San Francisco Symphony, and the New York Philharmonic. One of Rohde's most notable works is "Double Trouble," a piece for two violas that was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony. The piece was inspired by the idea of two people having a conversation, and Rohde uses the two violas to create a dialogue between the performers. The piece is known for its intricate harmonies and complex rhythms, and has been performed by violists around the world. Another notable work by Rohde is "Blindnesses," a piece for string quartet that was commissioned by the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. The piece is based on the novel "Blindness" by Jose Saramago, and explores the themes of isolation and loss of identity. The piece is known for its use of extended techniques, including harmonics and glissandi, and has been performed by a number of prominent string quartets. Rohde's music has been described as "intensely emotional" and "viscerally powerful." His compositions often explore complex themes and ideas, and are known for their intricate harmonies and rhythms. Rohde's work as a composer and performer has had a significant impact on the contemporary classical music scene, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the field.

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