Role

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Composer

Birth

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1974 in Swampscott, MA

 

Jefferson Friedman is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1974 in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Friedman began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Friedman attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with Nils Vigeland and David Del Tredici. He later earned a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School, where he studied with John Corigliano. Friedman's early works were influenced by minimalism and rock music, and he often incorporated electric guitars and drums into his compositions. His breakthrough work was the String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 2005. The piece is a powerful and emotional work that combines elements of rock music with classical string quartet writing. Friedman's music is known for its intense emotional content and its use of unconventional instrumentation. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including string quartets, orchestras, and rock bands. His music often explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. One of Friedman's most notable works is the oratorio "On In Love and War," which was commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2010. The piece is a powerful meditation on the human cost of war, and features a libretto by Michael Korie. The work was praised for its emotional depth and its ability to connect with audiences. Friedman has also written a number of works for dance, including collaborations with choreographers Aszure Barton and Pam Tanowitz. His music for dance is known for its rhythmic complexity and its ability to support and enhance the movement on stage. In addition to his work as a composer, Friedman is also an accomplished guitarist and bassist. He has performed with a number of rock bands, including the alternative rock band Shudder to Think. His experience as a rock musician has influenced his approach to composition, and he often incorporates elements of rock music into his classical works. Friedman's music has been performed by a number of leading ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the London Sinfonietta. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Overall, Jefferson Friedman is a composer who has made a significant impact on the contemporary classical music scene. His emotionally charged works and his willingness to experiment with unconventional instrumentation have earned him a devoted following and critical acclaim.

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