Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1952

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Scott Wheeler is a renowned American composer of classical music, known for his unique style and innovative approach to composition. Born on January 13, 1952, in Washington D.C., Wheeler grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and his mother was a pianist, which exposed him to music from an early age. Wheeler began his musical education at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, where he studied composition with Jean Eichelberger Ivey. He later went on to study at Harvard University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 and his Master of Arts degree in 1975. While at Harvard, Wheeler studied composition with Earl Kim and Leon Kirchner, both of whom had a significant influence on his musical style. After completing his studies, Wheeler began his career as a composer, and quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to composition. His early works, such as "The Construction of Boston" and "The Construction of Boston II," were characterized by their use of unconventional instrumentation and complex rhythmic structures. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Wheeler continued to compose a wide range of works, including operas, chamber music, and orchestral pieces. One of his most notable works from this period is his opera "The Construction of Boston," which premiered in 1989 at the Boston University Opera Institute. The opera, which tells the story of the construction of Boston's subway system, was praised for its inventive use of music and its engaging storyline. In addition to his work as a composer, Wheeler has also been an active educator and mentor to young musicians. He has taught at a number of prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, the New England Conservatory of Music, and the Boston Conservatory. In recent years, Wheeler has continued to compose a wide range of works, including his "Songs for Adam," which premiered in 2014 at the Tanglewood Music Center. The work, which is based on the poetry of Adam Zagajewski, was praised for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. Overall, Scott Wheeler is a highly respected composer of classical music, known for his innovative approach to composition and his dedication to mentoring young musicians. His works continue to be performed and celebrated by audiences around the world, and he remains an important figure in the world of contemporary classical music.

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