Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1956

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Ian Krouse is a renowned American composer of classical music, known for his unique style that blends traditional Western classical music with elements of jazz, rock, and world music. Born on December 22, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, Krouse grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Jack Krouse, was a jazz pianist, and his mother, Shirley Krouse, was a classical pianist. Krouse started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and soon became interested in composing music. Krouse attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied composition with Henri Lazarof and guitar with Pepe Romero. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from UCLA in 1978 and went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree in composition from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 1980. While at CalArts, Krouse studied with Morton Subotnick, Stephen Mosko, and Mel Powell. Krouse's early works were influenced by the avant-garde and experimental music of the 1960s and 1970s. His first major composition, "The Invention of the Saxophone," was written in 1978 and premiered at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The piece, which features a solo saxophone accompanied by a chamber ensemble, explores the history and evolution of the saxophone as an instrument. In the 1980s, Krouse began to incorporate elements of jazz and rock into his compositions. His works from this period, such as "The Invisible Cities" (1983) and "The Fire and the Rose" (1985), feature complex rhythms, improvisation, and extended techniques. Krouse also started to experiment with electronic music, using synthesizers and computer-generated sounds in his compositions. In the 1990s, Krouse's music became more influenced by world music, particularly the music of India and the Middle East. His works from this period, such as "The Color of Dusk" (1992) and "The Voices of Our Ancestors" (1996), feature exotic scales, modal melodies, and intricate rhythms. Krouse also started to incorporate elements of traditional Western classical music into his compositions, creating a unique blend of styles. One of Krouse's most famous works is his guitar concerto, "Labyrinth" (1990), which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and premiered by guitarist Pepe Romero. The piece, which features a solo guitar accompanied by a chamber orchestra, is a virtuosic showcase for the guitar and combines elements of classical, jazz, and world music. Another notable work by Krouse is his opera, "The Properties of Light" (2000), which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera and premiered at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The opera, which is based on the life of Isaac Newton, features a libretto by Craig Lucas and explores themes of science, religion, and human relationships. The music is a blend of classical, jazz, and world music, and features a large orchestra, chorus, and soloists. Krouse has received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including the Rome Prize, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. His music has been performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. In addition to his work as a composer, Krouse is also a professor of music at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he teaches composition and guitar.

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