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Composer

 

Bill Alves was an American composer, performer, and musicologist who was born on August 22, 1954, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Alves began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and other instruments. Alves attended the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 1976. He then went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in music from California Institute of the Arts in 1978. During his time at CalArts, Alves studied with composers Morton Subotnick and James Tenney, who had a significant influence on his musical style. Alves' music is characterized by its use of non-Western musical traditions, particularly those of Asia and the Middle East. He was interested in exploring the intersections between different musical cultures and often incorporated elements of Indian classical music, Indonesian gamelan music, and Arabic music into his compositions. One of Alves' most significant works is his opera, "The Heart of the World," which he composed in collaboration with librettist Joan La Barbara. The opera premiered in 1991 at the Los Angeles Festival and was later performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. "The Heart of the World" tells the story of a young woman who embarks on a journey to find the source of the world's music. The opera features a diverse range of musical styles, including Indian classical music, Indonesian gamelan music, and Western classical music. Another notable work by Alves is his "Concerto for Sitar and Orchestra," which he composed in 1995. The concerto features the sitar, a traditional Indian stringed instrument, and combines elements of Indian classical music with Western classical music. The piece was premiered by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Orange County, California, with Alves himself performing on the sitar. In addition to his work as a composer, Alves was also a performer and musicologist. He was a skilled guitarist and sitar player and often performed his own compositions. He also wrote extensively about music, particularly the music of Asia and the Middle East. His book, "Music of the Peoples of the World," was published in 1999 and provides an overview of the musical traditions of various cultures around the world. Alves was a professor of music at Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he taught composition, music theory, and world music. He was also a visiting professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the California Institute of the Arts. Tragically, Bill Alves passed away on December 29, 2019, at the age of 65. His contributions to the world of music, particularly his exploration of the intersections between different musical cultures, continue to inspire and influence musicians and composers around the world.

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