Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 8, 1959 in Denver, CO

 

Ben Goldberg is a renowned American composer and musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on September 8, 1959, in Denver, Colorado, Goldberg grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Goldberg started playing the clarinet at the age of nine and quickly developed a passion for music. Goldberg's early musical education was primarily focused on jazz. He studied with renowned jazz clarinetist Rosario Mazzeo and later attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with George Russell and Joe Maneri. During this time, Goldberg also became interested in classical music and began studying with clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. After completing his studies, Goldberg moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he became an active member of the local music scene. He played with a variety of jazz and experimental music groups, including the Tin Hat Trio, New Klezmer Trio, and the Nels Cline Singers. Goldberg also began composing his own music, drawing on his diverse musical influences to create a unique sound that blended elements of jazz, classical, and world music. One of Goldberg's most significant contributions to the world of classical music is his work in the field of chamber music. He has composed numerous pieces for small ensembles, including string quartets, woodwind quintets, and mixed ensembles. His chamber music is characterized by its intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and use of extended techniques. One of Goldberg's most well-known chamber works is "Orphic Machine," a piece for clarinet, string quartet, and piano. The piece was inspired by the writings of philosopher and poet Charles Olson and explores themes of mythology, history, and the human condition. "Orphic Machine" has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and has received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to chamber music. In addition to his work in chamber music, Goldberg has also composed several works for orchestra. His orchestral music is characterized by its lush harmonies, sweeping melodies, and use of unconventional instrumentation. One of his most notable orchestral works is "The Door, The Hat, The Chair, The Fact," a piece for orchestra and narrator that tells the story of a man's journey through life. The piece has been performed by several orchestras, including the Berkeley Symphony and the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players. Goldberg's music has been performed by numerous ensembles and musicians around the world, including the Kronos Quartet, the New York Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony. He has also collaborated with a variety of artists from different genres, including jazz pianist Myra Melford and indie rock band Deerhoof. In addition to his work as a composer, Goldberg is also an accomplished performer. He has released several albums as a bandleader and has performed with a variety of jazz and experimental music groups. His playing is characterized by its virtuosity, expressiveness, and improvisational skill. Goldberg has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 2013, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Music Composition, and in 2015, he was named a Doris Duke Performing Artist. He has also been a recipient of the Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant and the American Composers Forum Subito grant.

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