Role

:

Composer Conductor

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Mark Alburger is a contemporary American composer, conductor, and musicologist. He was born on December 2, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alburger began studying music at a young age, starting with piano lessons at age six. He later learned to play the trumpet and the French horn, and began composing music in his teens. Alburger attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 1980. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in musicology from San Francisco State University in 1983, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1990. Throughout his career, Alburger has composed a wide variety of music, including operas, symphonies, chamber music, and vocal works. He is known for his eclectic style, which incorporates elements of classical, jazz, and world music. Alburger has also written extensively about music, publishing articles and books on topics ranging from music theory to the history of opera. One of Alburger's most notable works is his opera, "The Little Death: Voltaire's Philosophical Fantasy," which premiered in 1998. The opera is based on a short story by Voltaire and explores themes of love, death, and the nature of reality. The music is a blend of classical and jazz styles, with elements of French chanson and cabaret music. Another significant work by Alburger is his Symphony No. 12, "The Tempest," which premiered in 2016. The symphony is based on Shakespeare's play of the same name and features a large orchestra and chorus. The music is highly dramatic and incorporates elements of jazz and world music. Alburger has also composed a number of chamber works, including his String Quartet No. 3, which premiered in 2001. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that showcases Alburger's skill as a composer. It features intricate rhythms, unconventional harmonies, and a wide range of dynamics. In addition to his work as a composer, Alburger is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted a number of orchestras and ensembles, including the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra, which he founded in 2002. The orchestra is dedicated to performing the works of contemporary composers and has premiered many of Alburger's own compositions. Throughout his career, Alburger has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer and musicologist. In 2017, he was awarded the American Prize in Composition for his Symphony No. 14, "Symphony for a New Millennium." The work is a large-scale symphony that incorporates elements of jazz, rock, and world music. Overall, Mark Alburger is a highly accomplished composer, conductor, and musicologist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His eclectic style and innovative approach to composition have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting and original composers working today.

More....