Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1958 in Bryn Mawr, PA

 

Michael Harrison is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1958 in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Harrison began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Harrison studied music at the Manhattan School of Music and later at the New England Conservatory of Music. He also studied Indian classical music with the renowned sitar player Ravi Shankar. This exposure to Indian music had a profound influence on Harrison's compositions, as he began to incorporate elements of Indian classical music into his work. Harrison's early compositions were primarily for piano, and he gained recognition for his innovative use of just intonation tuning systems. Just intonation is a tuning system that uses pure intervals based on the harmonic series, as opposed to the equal temperament tuning system used in Western classical music. Harrison's use of just intonation created a unique and ethereal sound that set him apart from other contemporary composers. One of Harrison's early works, "Revelation," was composed for piano and premiered in 1982. The piece is based on a just intonation tuning system and features intricate harmonies and rhythms. "Revelation" received critical acclaim and established Harrison as a leading figure in the contemporary classical music scene. In the 1990s, Harrison began to explore the possibilities of combining Indian classical music with Western classical music. He composed several works that blended the two traditions, including "Raga Prelude" for piano and "Raga Cycle" for string quartet. These works featured Indian ragas, or melodic frameworks, combined with Western harmonies and rhythms. Harrison's most well-known work is "Just Ancient Loops," which was composed in 2012. The piece is a meditation on the concept of time and features a combination of just intonation tuning systems and Indian ragas. "Just Ancient Loops" was commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music and premiered to critical acclaim. Harrison has also composed several works for orchestra, including "Revelation for Orchestra" and "Time Loops." These works feature complex harmonies and rhythms and showcase Harrison's unique approach to just intonation tuning systems. In addition to his work as a composer, Harrison is also a performer and has recorded several albums of his own compositions. He has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Talujon Percussion Quartet. Harrison's contributions to contemporary classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rockefeller Foundation, and he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2018. Overall, Michael Harrison is a pioneering composer who has pushed the boundaries of contemporary classical music. His innovative use of just intonation tuning systems and incorporation of Indian classical music has created a unique and ethereal sound that has captivated audiences around the world.

More....