Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

October 10, 1944 in Corvallis, OR

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Stephen Scott is an American composer and pianist who is known for his unique approach to music composition. He was born on October 16, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Scott began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Scott attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied music composition and theory. He later went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in music composition from the California Institute of the Arts. During his time at CalArts, Scott studied with renowned composers such as Morton Subotnick and Mel Powell. Scott's early works were heavily influenced by the minimalist music movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He was particularly drawn to the music of composers such as Steve Reich and Philip Glass, who were known for their repetitive and hypnotic compositions. Scott's early works, such as "Piano Piece #1" and "Piano Piece #2," were characterized by their use of repetitive patterns and simple harmonies. In the 1980s, Scott began to develop his own unique approach to music composition. He became interested in the idea of creating music that was based on natural phenomena, such as the patterns of waves or the movements of birds. He began to experiment with different tuning systems and developed a new instrument called the Bowed Piano, which allowed him to create a wide range of sounds and textures. One of Scott's most famous works is "Bowed Piano Ensemble," which was first performed in 1987. The piece features a group of musicians playing the Bowed Piano, creating a haunting and otherworldly sound. The piece has been performed all over the world and has become one of Scott's signature works. Another notable work by Scott is "Rainbow Bridge," which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 1993. The piece is based on the natural phenomenon of the rainbow and features a complex system of tuning that allows the musicians to create a wide range of colors and textures. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of tuning and its ability to create a vivid and immersive musical experience. Scott has also composed a number of works for dance and theater, including "The Deep Image," which was commissioned by the Joffrey Ballet in 1990. The piece features a combination of live and recorded music and explores the themes of memory and identity. In addition to his work as a composer, Scott is also an accomplished pianist. He has performed all over the world and has recorded several albums of his own compositions. He is known for his virtuosic playing style and his ability to create a wide range of sounds and textures on the piano. Overall, Stephen Scott is a composer who has pushed the boundaries of classical music and created a unique and innovative approach to composition. His works are characterized by their use of natural phenomena and their ability to create immersive and otherworldly musical experiences. He continues to be a major figure in the world of contemporary classical music and his influence can be heard in the work of many younger composers today.

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