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Composer

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1953

 

Stephen Whittington is a contemporary Australian composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on October 23, 1953, in Adelaide, South Australia, Whittington grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a visual artist. Whittington began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Whittington's formal music education began at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide, where he studied composition with Richard Meale and Peter Sculthorpe. He also studied piano with Clemens Leske and Geoffrey Parsons. After completing his undergraduate degree, Whittington went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Adelaide. Throughout his career, Whittington has been influenced by a wide range of musical styles and traditions. He has drawn inspiration from classical composers such as Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy, as well as from contemporary composers like John Cage and Morton Feldman. He has also been influenced by non-Western musical traditions, particularly those of Japan and Indonesia. Whittington's early works were characterized by a minimalist aesthetic, with a focus on repetition and gradual transformation of musical material. His first major composition, "Windmill," was written in 1979 and was inspired by the windmills of the Australian outback. The piece features a repetitive, rhythmic pattern that gradually builds in intensity, creating a sense of momentum and energy. In the 1980s, Whittington began to incorporate more complex harmonic and rhythmic structures into his compositions. His works from this period, such as "The Garden of Earthly Delights" and "The Garden of Forking Paths," are characterized by intricate textures and a sense of musical exploration. In the 1990s, Whittington began to incorporate elements of non-Western musical traditions into his compositions. His works from this period, such as "Earth Cry" and "The Stars Turn," feature elements of Indonesian gamelan music and Japanese court music. These works are characterized by a sense of cross-cultural exploration and a blending of musical traditions. One of Whittington's most significant works is "Easter Oratorio," which was commissioned by the Adelaide Festival of Arts in 2000. The piece is a setting of the Passion story from the Gospel of John, and features a large choir, soloists, and orchestra. The work is characterized by its use of traditional choral techniques, as well as its incorporation of non-Western musical elements. In addition to his work as a composer, Whittington has also been active as a performer and educator. He has performed as a pianist and conductor, and has taught composition at the University of Adelaide and the Elder Conservatorium of Music. He has also been involved in the organization of numerous music festivals and events, including the Adelaide Festival of Arts and the Soundstream New Music Festival. Whittington's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He has received the Don Banks Music Award, the APRA Award for Classical Composition, and the Adelaide Critics Circle Award for Music. His works have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has been commissioned by organizations such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

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