Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1970

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Garrett Fisher is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1972 in Kennewick, Washington. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Fisher began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Fisher attended the University of Washington, where he studied composition with William O. Smith and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1994. He then went on to study at the Yale School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1996. Fisher's early works were heavily influenced by his interest in jazz and world music. He often incorporated elements of these genres into his compositions, creating a unique and eclectic sound. One of his early works, "The Passion of St. Thomas More," was premiered by the Seattle Symphony in 1995 and received critical acclaim. In the late 1990s, Fisher began to focus more on opera and music theater. He collaborated with librettist Mark Campbell on several works, including "The Passion of Saint Thomas More," "The Mystery of the Broken Jar," and "The Echo Drift." These works were performed at various venues across the United States, including the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Prototype Festival. Fisher's music is known for its use of unconventional instruments and sounds. He often incorporates found objects, such as glass bottles and metal pipes, into his compositions. He also uses electronic sounds and recordings of natural sounds, such as birdsong and water, to create a unique and immersive listening experience. One of Fisher's most notable works is "Akio's Music," a chamber opera based on the life of Akio Toyoda, the CEO of Toyota. The opera premiered in 2015 at the Asia Society in New York City and was later performed in Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan. The work explores the relationship between Toyoda and his grandfather, the founder of Toyota, and the challenges of leading a global corporation. In addition to his work as a composer, Fisher is also a performer and conductor. He has conducted several of his own works, as well as works by other composers, with various orchestras and ensembles. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Fisher Ensemble, a Seattle-based music theater company that specializes in interdisciplinary works. Fisher's music has been performed by numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Seattle Symphony, the American Composers Orchestra, and the New York City Opera. He has received several awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2016 and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2017. Overall, Garrett Fisher is a highly regarded composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His unique and eclectic style, combined with his interest in opera and music theater, has resulted in a body of work that is both innovative and engaging.

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