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Composer Performer

 

Wieland Hoban is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in London, England in 1978. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. From a young age, Hoban was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He later went on to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. Hoban's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Alban Berg. He was also drawn to the music of other contemporary composers such as György Ligeti and Helmut Lachenmann. Hoban's compositions often feature complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as unconventional instrumental techniques. One of Hoban's early works, "String Quartet No. 1," was premiered in 2002 by the Arditti Quartet. The piece is characterized by its use of microtonal intervals and unconventional playing techniques, such as bowing the strings with a credit card. The quartet was well-received by critics and helped establish Hoban as a rising talent in the contemporary classical music scene. In 2004, Hoban was awarded a fellowship from the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. The fellowship allowed him to study the works of Swiss composer Frank Martin, whose music had a significant impact on Hoban's own compositions. During his time in Switzerland, Hoban also had the opportunity to work with renowned conductor Pierre Boulez, who was a mentor and inspiration to him. Hoban's music has been performed by a number of prominent ensembles and orchestras, including the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Modern, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. In 2010, he was commissioned by the London Sinfonietta to write a piece for their 40th anniversary season. The resulting work, "The Name of the Game," is a concerto for electric guitar and ensemble that features virtuosic guitar playing and intricate ensemble writing. Another notable work by Hoban is "The Face of the Waters," a large-scale choral work that was commissioned by the BBC Proms in 2015. The piece is based on the biblical story of creation and features a text by poet Alice Oswald. The work was premiered by the BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Sakari Oramo, and received critical acclaim for its powerful and evocative music. Hoban's music often explores themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage. He has written several works that draw on his own mixed-race heritage, including "The Still Point of the Turning World," a piece for string quartet that was inspired by the poetry of T.S. Eliot and the music of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. The work explores the idea of cultural hybridity and the tension between different cultural traditions. In addition to his work as a composer, Hoban is also a respected musicologist and scholar. He has written extensively on the music of Frank Martin and has edited several volumes of Martin's music for publication. Hoban's scholarly work has been published in a number of academic journals and he has presented papers at conferences around the world. Overall, Wieland Hoban is a composer who has made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music scene. His music is characterized by its complexity and innovation, as well as its exploration of themes related to identity and cultural heritage.

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