Role

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Composer

Birth

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1958 in Albania

 

Thomas Simaku is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in Lushnje, Albania, in 1958. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Simaku began his musical education at a young age, studying piano and violin. He later attended the Tirana Conservatoire, where he studied composition with Tonin Harapi. In 1981, Simaku moved to England to continue his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. There, he studied with Nicholas Maw and Robert Saxton, and later with Brian Ferneyhough at the University of California, San Diego. Simaku's time in California was particularly influential, as he was exposed to the works of avant-garde composers such as György Ligeti and Iannis Xenakis. Simaku's early works were heavily influenced by Albanian folk music, but he soon began to incorporate elements of avant-garde and experimental music into his compositions. His music is characterized by complex rhythms, intricate textures, and a sense of drama and tension. One of Simaku's most notable works is his 2006 piece, "Soliloquy V: Flauto Acerbo," which was commissioned by the BBC and premiered at the Proms. The piece is scored for solo flute and chamber orchestra, and is based on a poem by the Italian poet Eugenio Montale. The work is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as multiphonics and flutter-tonguing, and its intricate interplay between the soloist and the orchestra. Another notable work by Simaku is his 2011 piece, "The Scream," which was inspired by the painting of the same name by Edvard Munch. The piece is scored for string quartet and electronics, and is characterized by its intense, dissonant harmonies and its use of electronic effects to create a sense of unease and tension. Simaku has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the prestigious British Composer Award in 2013 for his piece, "Concerto for Orchestra." He has also been commissioned by a number of prominent ensembles and organizations, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. In addition to his work as a composer, Simaku is also a respected music educator. He has taught at a number of institutions, including the University of York, where he is currently a professor of composition. He has also served as a visiting professor at a number of universities around the world, including the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Overall, Thomas Simaku is a highly respected and influential composer in the contemporary classical music world. His work is characterized by its complexity, its sense of drama and tension, and its incorporation of avant-garde and experimental elements. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and his influence on the next generation of composers is sure to be felt for years to come.

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