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Howard Frazin is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1955 in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Frazin began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Frazin attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with Milton Babbitt and Roger Sessions. He also studied with John Harbison at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. Frazin received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and his Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music. Frazin's early works were influenced by the serialist techniques of his teachers, but he soon began to develop his own style. His music is characterized by its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and emotional depth. Frazin's compositions often explore themes of love, loss, and the human condition. One of Frazin's early works, "Three Songs for Soprano and Piano," was premiered in 1981 at the Tanglewood Music Center. The songs, which set poems by Emily Dickinson, are hauntingly beautiful and showcase Frazin's gift for melody and harmony. In 1983, Frazin was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Italy. While there, he composed "String Quartet No. 1," which was premiered in Rome in 1984. The quartet is a powerful work that explores themes of conflict and resolution. Frazin's music has been performed by many leading ensembles and soloists, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Emerson String Quartet. His works have been featured at festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. One of Frazin's most acclaimed works is "The Quartet Project," a cycle of six string quartets that he composed between 2005 and 2015. The cycle explores the emotional journey of a relationship, from the excitement of falling in love to the pain of separation. Each quartet is a self-contained work, but they are also designed to be performed together as a cycle. "The Quartet Project" has been performed by many leading string quartets, including the Borromeo String Quartet, the Pacifica Quartet, and the Miró Quartet. The cycle has been praised for its emotional depth, its inventive use of form and structure, and its beautiful melodies. Frazin's other notable works include "Songs of Remembrance," a cycle of songs that set poems by Holocaust survivors, and "The Memory Keeper," an opera that explores the relationship between a mother and her son, who has Down syndrome. Frazin is also a dedicated teacher and has taught composition at the New England Conservatory of Music, the Boston Conservatory, and the Longy School of Music. He has mentored many young composers and has been a strong advocate for new music. In addition to his work as a composer and teacher, Frazin is also a passionate advocate for social justice. He has been involved in many community-based music projects, including the Boston Children's Chorus and the Music for Food initiative, which raises money for hunger relief. Overall, Howard Frazin is a composer of great talent and emotional depth. His music is characterized by its lyricism, its rhythmic vitality, and its exploration of the human condition. Frazin's works have been performed by many leading ensembles and soloists, and he has been a strong advocate for new music and social justice.

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