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Composer

 

Jeremy Thurlow is a British composer of contemporary classical music. He was born in 1974 in Cambridge, England, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a composer and his mother was a pianist, so music was always a part of his life. Thurlow began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. Thurlow studied music at the University of Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2002. He also studied composition with Robin Holloway and Alexander Goehr. During his time at Cambridge, Thurlow was awarded several prizes for his compositions, including the John Armitage Memorial Prize and the Cambridge Composer's Prize. After completing his studies, Thurlow began working as a freelance composer and music teacher. He has taught at several universities, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the Royal Academy of Music. He has also been a visiting lecturer at universities in the United States and Canada. Thurlow's music is characterized by its complexity and its use of unconventional techniques. He often incorporates elements of jazz and rock music into his compositions, as well as electronic sounds and field recordings. His works have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Arditti Quartet. One of Thurlow's most notable works is his opera, The Weaver's Knot, which premiered in 2012. The opera is based on a play by the German playwright Gerhart Hauptmann and tells the story of a weaver who becomes embroiled in a love triangle. The opera features a large cast of singers and actors, as well as a chamber orchestra and a choir. The Weaver's Knot was well-received by critics and has been performed in several countries. Another notable work by Thurlow is his piece for orchestra and electronics, The Deluge. The piece was inspired by the biblical story of Noah's Ark and features a recording of rain and thunder as well as electronic sounds. The Deluge has been performed by several orchestras, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta. Thurlow has also written several works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet. The piece features unconventional techniques, such as playing behind the bridge and using a glass slide on the strings. Thurlow's chamber music has been performed by ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. In addition to his work as a composer, Thurlow is also a writer and a critic. He has written articles and reviews for several music publications, including The Guardian and Tempo. He has also written a book on the music of the composer Harrison Birtwistle. Thurlow's music has been praised for its originality and its ability to challenge audiences. His use of unconventional techniques and his incorporation of electronic sounds and field recordings have set him apart from other contemporary classical composers. Thurlow continues to compose and teach, and his work is sure to be heard by audiences around the world for years to come.

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