Country

:

United Kingdom

 

Michael Harrison is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born in 1960 in New York City, Harrison grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Harrison started playing the piano at the age of six and showed a natural talent for music. Harrison's early musical education was in classical music, and he studied piano with renowned pianist and teacher, Adele Marcus. He also studied composition with La Monte Young, a pioneer of minimalist music. Harrison's exposure to both classical and minimalist music had a significant impact on his musical style. In the 1980s, Harrison began to explore the music of India and became interested in the Indian classical music system of raga. He studied with the renowned Indian musician, Pandit Pran Nath, and learned to sing and play the tambura, a stringed instrument used in Indian classical music. Harrison's exposure to Indian classical music had a profound impact on his musical style, and he began to incorporate elements of Indian music into his compositions. Harrison's music is characterized by a unique blend of classical, minimalist, and Indian classical music. His compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, complex rhythms, and use of just intonation, a tuning system that uses pure intervals instead of the tempered tuning system used in Western classical music. Harrison has performed his music at major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. He has also performed at major music festivals, including the Bang on a Can Marathon and the Spoleto Festival USA. In 2007, Harrison released his debut album, Revelation: Music in Pure Intonation, which received critical acclaim and was named one of the top ten classical albums of the year by The New York Times. The album features Harrison's compositions performed on a custom-made piano that uses just intonation tuning. Harrison has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 2018, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Music Composition. The fellowship is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity in the arts. Harrison's music has also been featured in films and television shows. His composition, "Just Ancient Loops," was used in the documentary film, The Great Invisible, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival. In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Harrison is also a teacher and has taught at major universities and music schools, including the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Harrison's contributions to the world of music have been significant, and his unique blend of classical, minimalist, and Indian classical music has inspired many musicians and composers. His dedication to exploring new musical forms and his commitment to excellence have made him one of the most respected and influential classical music artists of his generation.

More....