Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

June 25, 1971 in Washington, D.C.

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Michael Hersch is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on October 25, 1971, in Washington, D.C. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Hersch began playing the piano at the age of three and started composing music when he was just eight years old. Hersch attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, where he studied composition with Robert Hall Lewis and piano with Leon Fleisher. He later earned his Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied with composer and pianist Lee Hyla. Hersch's early works were heavily influenced by the music of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg, as well as the Second Viennese School. His compositions often feature complex harmonies and dissonant textures, with a focus on exploring the limits of tonality and atonality. One of Hersch's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1997 at the age of 26. The piece is a large-scale work for orchestra that features a wide range of musical styles and techniques, including atonal passages, complex rhythms, and intricate counterpoint. The symphony was premiered by the American Composers Orchestra in 1998 and has since been performed by numerous orchestras around the world. In addition to his orchestral works, Hersch has also composed a number of chamber music pieces, including several string quartets. His String Quartet No. 2, which he composed in 2001, is a particularly powerful work that explores themes of loss and grief. The piece was inspired by the death of Hersch's close friend and fellow composer, Steven Gerber, and features haunting melodies and dissonant harmonies that convey a sense of profound sadness. Hersch's music has been praised for its emotional depth and intensity, as well as its technical complexity. His compositions often require a high level of virtuosity from the performers, with intricate rhythms and challenging harmonies that push the boundaries of traditional classical music. Despite his success as a composer, Hersch has faced numerous challenges throughout his career. In 2001, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that required extensive treatment and forced him to take a hiatus from composing. He also struggled with depression and anxiety, which he has spoken openly about in interviews and in his music. Despite these challenges, Hersch has continued to compose music that is both innovative and deeply personal. His works have been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and chamber ensembles, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to contemporary classical music.

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