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Composer

 

Susan Kander is a renowned American composer of classical music, known for her unique style and innovative approach to composition. Born in 1957 in New York City, Kander grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her father was a jazz pianist and her mother was a singer, and Kander began playing the piano at the age of four. Kander's early musical education was focused on classical piano, and she studied with several renowned teachers, including Rosina Lhevinne and Seymour Lipkin. She also studied composition at the Juilliard School, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1979. After completing her studies, Kander began her career as a composer, and quickly gained recognition for her innovative and eclectic style. Her early works were influenced by a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, rock, and folk music, and she often incorporated elements of these styles into her compositions. One of Kander's early works, "The Golem," was a multimedia opera based on the Jewish legend of a creature made of clay that comes to life. The opera was a critical success and helped establish Kander as a rising star in the world of classical music. Over the years, Kander continued to explore new musical styles and techniques, and her compositions became increasingly complex and sophisticated. She also began to incorporate more political and social themes into her work, and many of her pieces dealt with issues such as war, poverty, and social justice. One of Kander's most notable works is "The News from Poems," a song cycle based on the poetry of William Carlos Williams. The piece was commissioned by the New York Festival of Song and premiered in 2003 to critical acclaim. The cycle features a wide range of musical styles, from jazz to classical, and showcases Kander's ability to seamlessly blend different genres into a cohesive whole. Another notable work by Kander is "The Memory Stone," an opera based on the life of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. The opera premiered in 2016 and was praised for its powerful and moving portrayal of Wiesel's experiences during the Holocaust. In addition to her work as a composer, Kander is also an accomplished pianist and has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. She has also taught composition at several universities, including the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas. Throughout her career, Kander has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. In 2017, she was awarded the Missouri Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts, and in 2018, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome. Today, Kander continues to compose and perform, and her work remains an important and influential part of the classical music canon. Her innovative approach to composition and her commitment to exploring new musical styles and themes have made her one of the most important and respected composers of her generation.

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