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Nathan Shirley was a classical music composer born on May 12, 1985, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his mother being a pianist and his father a cellist. Shirley showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later learned to play the violin and the cello. Shirley attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition under the tutelage of John Corigliano. He also studied conducting with James DePreist and piano with Jerome Lowenthal. During his time at Juilliard, Shirley composed several works that were performed by the school's orchestras and ensembles. After graduating from Juilliard in 2007, Shirley moved to Europe to further his studies. He spent a year in Vienna, Austria, studying with Wolfgang Rihm at the University of Music and Performing Arts. He then moved to Paris, France, where he studied with Tristan Murail at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse. Shirley's music is characterized by its complexity and its use of extended techniques. He often incorporated electronic elements into his compositions, creating a unique blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. His works were influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, rock, and world music. One of Shirley's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 2010. The symphony is a large-scale work that features a wide range of orchestral colors and textures. It is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different musical idea. The symphony received critical acclaim and established Shirley as a rising star in the classical music world. Another notable work by Shirley is his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered by the Arditti Quartet in 2009. The quartet is a challenging work that requires the performers to use a variety of extended techniques, including harmonics, glissandi, and pizzicato. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of the string quartet medium. Shirley's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Rome Prize in Composition and the Guggenheim Fellowship. Tragically, Nathan Shirley passed away in a car accident in 2012 at the age of 27. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, as he was considered one of the most promising young composers of his generation. Despite his short career, Shirley left behind a significant body of work that continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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