Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1965 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Russell Platt is a contemporary American composer, music critic, and educator. He was born on December 30, 1965, in New York City, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Robert Platt, was a composer and musicologist, and his mother, Barbara Platt, was a pianist and music teacher. Russell Platt began studying piano at the age of six and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. Platt attended the Juilliard School, where he studied composition with Milton Babbitt, David Diamond, and Vincent Persichetti. He also studied musicology with Joseph Kerman and Richard Taruskin at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1995. Platt's early compositions were influenced by the serialist techniques of his teachers, but he later developed a more eclectic style that incorporates elements of tonality, minimalism, and jazz. Platt's music has been performed by many leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also written chamber music, vocal music, and opera. Platt's works often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. One of Platt's most notable works is his Symphony No. 2, "Resounding Earth," which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 2012. The piece is scored for large orchestra, chorus, and percussion ensemble, and is inspired by the sounds of the earth, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and thunderstorms. Platt spent several years researching and recording natural sounds from around the world, which he incorporated into the piece. "Resounding Earth" has been praised for its innovative use of percussion and its evocative depiction of the natural world. Platt's other orchestral works include "Reflections on Narcissus," a tone poem for orchestra inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus; "The Bell Ringer," a concerto for percussion and orchestra; and "The Dream of the Infinite Rooms," a symphonic poem based on a poem by Jorge Luis Borges. Platt has also written several chamber works, including "The Interior Castle," a string quartet inspired by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila; "The Water's Edge," a trio for clarinet, cello, and piano; and "The Four Elements," a suite for piano inspired by the classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water. In addition to his work as a composer, Platt is also a respected music critic and journalist. He has written for many publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Opera News. Platt has also taught music composition and theory at various institutions, including the Juilliard School, Columbia University, and the Mannes School of Music. Platt's music has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He has received commissions from the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the American Composers Orchestra, among others. Platt has also been awarded fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the MacDowell Colony, and the American Academy in Rome. In conclusion, Russell Platt is a highly accomplished composer, music critic, and educator. His music is characterized by its innovative use of percussion, its incorporation of natural sounds, and its exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes.

More....