Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1953

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Arthur Levering is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on January 3, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Levering started playing the piano at a young age and showed a keen interest in music composition. Levering attended the University of Michigan, where he studied composition with William Bolcom and Leslie Bassett. He later went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Malcolm Peyton and Pozzi Escot. Levering also studied with the renowned composer Elliott Carter at the Tanglewood Music Center. Levering's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. However, he later developed his own unique style, which is characterized by complex rhythms, intricate textures, and a wide range of instrumental colors. One of Levering's most notable works is his orchestral piece "Still Raining, Still Dreaming," which was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2001. The piece is inspired by the music of Jimi Hendrix and features a solo electric guitar, which is played by the composer himself. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of the electric guitar in a classical music context. Another notable work by Levering is his chamber opera "Mare Undarum," which was commissioned by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and premiered in 2015. The opera is based on the life of the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, who was known for his observations of the planet Mars. The opera features a libretto by Thomas Wells and is scored for a small ensemble of instruments, including flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and percussion. Levering has also written a number of works for solo instruments, including "Ripple Effect" for solo piano, "Vestibule III" for solo violin, and "Vestibule IV" for solo cello. These works showcase Levering's ability to create intricate and virtuosic music for individual instruments. In addition to his work as a composer, Levering is also a professor of music at Harvard University, where he has taught since 1993. He has also taught at the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of California, San Diego. Levering's music has been performed by a number of prominent ensembles and orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fromm Foundation Commission, and a Rome Prize. Overall, Arthur Levering is a highly respected and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His music is characterized by its complexity, virtuosity, and unique instrumental colors, and his works continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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