Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1958

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Toby Twining is a renowned American composer, singer, and musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 22, 1957, in New York City, Twining grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. From a young age, Twining was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, which helped shape his unique style of composition. Twining began his formal music education at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He later learned to play the guitar and the bass, which he used to accompany his singing. In his teenage years, Twining became interested in choral music and joined the choir at his high school. He also started composing his own music, which he performed with his friends. After completing high school, Twining attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he studied music composition. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in music composition from the California Institute of the Arts. During his time in college, Twining was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including avant-garde, jazz, and world music. These influences can be heard in his compositions, which often blend different genres and styles. Twining's early works were primarily choral pieces, which he composed for his own choir, Toby Twining Music. His first album, "Toby Twining Music," was released in 1993 and featured a collection of his choral compositions. The album received critical acclaim and helped establish Twining as a rising star in the world of classical music. In the years that followed, Twining continued to compose choral music, but he also began to experiment with other forms of composition. He composed several pieces for string quartet, including "Eurydice," which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet. He also composed several pieces for solo voice, including "Chrysalid Requiem," which was performed by the New York Virtuoso Singers. One of Twining's most notable works is "Satyagraha," an opera based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi. The opera premiered in 2007 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and was later performed at the English National Opera in London. "Satyagraha" received critical acclaim for its innovative use of vocal techniques and its powerful message of nonviolence. Twining's compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and innovative use of vocal techniques. He often uses extended vocal techniques, such as overtone singing and throat singing, to create unique sounds and textures. His compositions also often feature unconventional time signatures and complex polyrhythms, which give his music a distinctive sound. In addition to his work as a composer, Twining is also an accomplished singer and musician. He has performed with several ensembles, including the Paul Dresher Ensemble, the Philip Glass Ensemble, and the Steve Reich Ensemble. He has also collaborated with several other musicians and composers, including Meredith Monk, John Zorn, and Terry Riley. Twining's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with several awards and honors. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Rockefeller Foundation. He has also been awarded the Rome Prize in Music Composition and the Guggenheim Fellowship.

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