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Composer

 

Ashley John Long is a contemporary classical music composer, performer, and educator. He was born on August 6, 1975, in Cardiff, Wales. Long grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. He started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the cello and double bass. Long attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, where he studied composition with Anthony Powers and Peter Reynolds. He also studied cello with Robert Truman and double bass with Roger Argente. Long received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1997 and his Master of Music degree in 1998 from the same institution. Long's compositions are influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and rock. He is known for his use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation, such as prepared piano, toy instruments, and found objects. Long's music often explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. One of Long's early works is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1996. The piece is a four-movement work that showcases Long's skill in writing for string instruments. The quartet has been performed by various ensembles, including the Carducci Quartet and the Brodsky Quartet. In 2001, Long composed his first orchestral work, entitled The Inland Sea. The piece was commissioned by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and premiered at the St. David's Hall in Cardiff. The Inland Sea is a tone poem that depicts the beauty and power of the ocean. The piece features a large orchestra and includes a prominent role for the percussion section. Long's music has been performed by many renowned ensembles and soloists, including the London Sinfonietta, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Arditti Quartet. He has also collaborated with other artists, such as the poet Gwyneth Lewis and the visual artist David Garner. In addition to his work as a composer, Long is also an accomplished performer. He is a skilled cellist and has performed with various orchestras and ensembles, including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the London Sinfonietta. Long is also a member of the contemporary music ensemble, the Workers Union Ensemble, which he co-founded in 2008. Long is also an active educator and has taught composition and music theory at various institutions, including the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the University of Bristol. He has also given masterclasses and workshops on composition and improvisation. Long's most recent works include his String Quartet No. 2, which he composed in 2019. The piece is a three-movement work that explores the theme of memory and features a prominent role for the viola. The quartet was premiered by the Ligeti Quartet at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in November 2019. Long's music has received critical acclaim and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2003, he was awarded the BBC Radio 3 Composer of the Week award. He was also a finalist in the 2005 British Composer Awards for his work, The Angel of Death. In 2018, Long was awarded the Welsh Music Prize for his album, Open Music. In conclusion, Ashley John Long is a talented composer, performer, and educator who has made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music scene. His music is characterized by its innovative use of instrumentation and exploration of themes related to nature and the human condition.

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