Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1949 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

March 4, 2007

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

John Thow was an American composer and educator who was born on August 26, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Thow began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition in 1971 and a Master of Music degree in composition in 1973. After completing his studies, Thow moved to California, where he began his career as a composer and educator. He taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz, from 1973 to 1976 and at San Francisco State University from 1976 to 1980. In 1980, he joined the faculty at the University of California, Davis, where he remained until his retirement in 2014. Throughout his career, Thow composed a wide range of works, including orchestral, chamber, and vocal music. His music was characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate textures. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of timbre and color in his compositions, often using unusual instrumental combinations to create unique sonic landscapes. One of Thow's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1984 and premiered by the San Francisco Symphony in 1985. The symphony is a large-scale work in four movements and features a wide range of instrumental colors and textures. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a bold and energetic opening that sets the tone for the rest of the work. The second movement, "Lament," is a slow and mournful elegy that features a haunting solo violin. The third movement, "Scherzo," is a lively and playful dance that showcases Thow's skill at writing for the orchestra. The final movement, "Epilogue," is a quiet and introspective meditation that brings the symphony to a peaceful close. Another notable work by Thow is his String Quartet No. 2, which was composed in 1990 and premiered by the Alexander String Quartet in 1991. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that explores a wide range of moods and emotions. The first movement, "Allegro," is a fast and frenetic dance that features intricate rhythms and complex harmonies. The second movement, "Adagio," is a slow and lyrical meditation that showcases Thow's gift for melody. The third movement, "Scherzo," is a playful and whimsical dance that features a lively pizzicato section. The final movement, "Allegro con fuoco," is a fiery and intense finale that brings the quartet to a thrilling close. In addition to his work as a composer, Thow was also a dedicated educator who inspired generations of young musicians. He was known for his passionate and engaging teaching style, and his students remember him as a mentor who encouraged them to explore their own creative voices. Thow was also a respected scholar who wrote extensively on the music of Charles Ives and other American composers. John Thow passed away on January 4, 2020, at the age of 70. He left behind a rich legacy of music and a lasting impact on the world of classical music. His compositions continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world, and his influence as a teacher and mentor lives on in the countless students he inspired over the course of his career.

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