Period

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Contemporary

 

Richard Valitutto is a highly acclaimed classical music artist known for his exceptional skills as a pianist, composer, and conductor. Born in Los Angeles, California, on May 22, 1987, Valitutto showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a singer and his father a guitarist, which greatly influenced his musical development. Valitutto received his early music education at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, where he studied piano with John Perry and composition with Stephen Hartke. He later went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Kevin Fitz-Gerald. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with Vicki Ray. Valitutto's career as a classical music artist began to take off in the early 2010s, when he started performing in various venues across the United States. He quickly gained a reputation for his virtuosic piano playing and his ability to interpret complex and challenging works. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Presser Graduate Music Award, which allowed him to travel to Europe to study with renowned pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. Since then, Valitutto has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and the Kennedy Center. He has also collaborated with many notable musicians and ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Calder Quartet, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. Valitutto is also an accomplished composer, with his works being performed by various ensembles and orchestras. His compositions are known for their intricate harmonies and unconventional structures, and they often explore themes of identity, memory, and spirituality. In 2016, he was awarded the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award for his composition "The Firmament," which was premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Valitutto is also an active conductor. He has conducted various ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and the wild Up ensemble. He is known for his innovative programming and his ability to bring out the best in his musicians. Valitutto's performances have been praised by critics for their technical brilliance and emotional depth. The Los Angeles Times has called him "a pianist of exceptional insight and imagination," while The New York Times has described his playing as "dazzlingly virtuosic." He has also been praised for his commitment to contemporary music and his ability to bring new works to life. Valitutto's discography includes several critically acclaimed recordings, including his debut album, "Nocturnes & Lullabies," which features works by composers such as George Crumb, Frederic Rzewski, and John Cage. He has also recorded works by contemporary composers such as Andrew McIntosh, Nicholas Deyoe, and Sarah Hennies. Valitutto's career as a classical music artist continues to thrive, with many exciting projects on the horizon. He is currently working on a new album of solo piano works by contemporary composers, which is set to be released in 2022.

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