Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

October 15, 1962 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Philip Blackburn is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1957 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Blackburn began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Blackburn attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in electronic music from Mills College in Oakland, California. Throughout his career, Blackburn has composed a wide range of works, including chamber music, orchestral pieces, and electronic music. He is known for his use of unconventional instruments and sounds, such as found objects and field recordings. One of Blackburn's early works is his 1984 piece "The Garden of Cyrus," which was inspired by the writings of Sir Thomas Browne. The piece features a mix of acoustic and electronic sounds, including recordings of crickets and other insects. "The Garden of Cyrus" was well-received and helped establish Blackburn as a rising talent in the contemporary classical music scene. In the years that followed, Blackburn continued to compose a variety of works, including pieces for chamber ensembles and orchestras. One notable work from this period is his 1992 piece "The Music of the Spheres," which was commissioned by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The piece features a mix of acoustic and electronic sounds, including recordings of NASA space probes and radio transmissions. In addition to his work as a composer, Blackburn has also been active as a curator and producer of new music. He has served as the director of the American Composers Forum's "In the Loop" series, which showcases new and experimental music. He has also produced numerous recordings of contemporary classical music, including works by John Cage, Morton Feldman, and Pauline Oliveros. One of Blackburn's most ambitious projects is his ongoing "Ghostly Psalms" series, which features compositions inspired by the Book of Psalms. The series began in 2006 with "Ghostly Psalms I," which features a mix of acoustic and electronic sounds, including recordings of church bells and Tibetan singing bowls. The series has since expanded to include several more works, each exploring different aspects of the Psalms. Another notable work from Blackburn's career is his 2015 piece "The Ice Cycle," which was inspired by the melting of the polar ice caps. The piece features recordings of melting ice and other environmental sounds, as well as live performances by a chamber ensemble. "The Ice Cycle" was well-received and helped raise awareness of the urgent need for action on climate change. Throughout his career, Blackburn has been recognized for his contributions to contemporary classical music. He has received numerous awards and grants, including a McKnight Fellowship and a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship. His works have been performed by leading ensembles and orchestras around the world, and he continues to be an influential figure in the contemporary classical music scene.

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