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Mark Hagerty was an American composer of classical music, born on August 22, 1954, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Hagerty started playing the piano at the age of five and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Elinor Armer and piano with Adolph Baller. After completing his studies, Hagerty moved to New York City, where he worked as a freelance composer and pianist. He also taught music theory and composition at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School. In 1985, he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which allowed him to travel to Europe and study with the renowned composer György Ligeti in Hamburg, Germany. Hagerty's music is characterized by its complexity and virtuosity, as well as its incorporation of elements from various musical traditions. He was influenced by the works of composers such as Ligeti, Stravinsky, and Bartók, as well as jazz and rock music. His compositions often feature intricate rhythms, unconventional harmonies, and extended techniques for the instruments. One of Hagerty's most notable works is his Piano Concerto, which he composed in 1983. The piece is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with fast and complex passages that require great technical skill. The concerto also features a prominent role for the percussion section, which adds to the rhythmic complexity of the piece. The Piano Concerto has been performed by many renowned pianists, including Ursula Oppens and Marc-André Hamelin. Another significant work by Hagerty is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1987. The piece is a four-movement work that showcases the composer's skill in writing for the string quartet. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic piece that features intricate interplay between the instruments. The second movement is a slow and lyrical piece that showcases the quartet's ability to create a rich and expressive sound. The third movement is a fast and energetic piece that features complex rhythms and virtuosic passages. The final movement is a lively and playful piece that brings the work to a joyful conclusion. Hagerty also composed several works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1992. The symphony is a three-movement work that showcases the composer's skill in writing for large ensembles. The first movement is a fast and energetic piece that features complex rhythms and intricate interplay between the instruments. The second movement is a slow and lyrical piece that showcases the orchestra's ability to create a rich and expressive sound. The final movement is a lively and playful piece that brings the symphony to a joyful conclusion. In addition to his compositions, Hagerty was also an accomplished pianist and often performed his own works in concert. He was known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to bring out the intricate rhythms and harmonies in his compositions. He also collaborated with many other musicians and ensembles, including the Kronos Quartet and the San Francisco Symphony. Hagerty's music has been performed by many renowned musicians and ensembles, both in the United States and abroad.

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