Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1960 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerald Cohen is a contemporary American composer of classical music. He was born on January 31, 1960, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both played in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Cohen began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. Cohen attended Harvard University, where he studied music composition with Leon Kirchner and Earl Kim. He also studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and the Juilliard School. After completing his studies, Cohen worked as a freelance composer and taught music at various institutions, including Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. Cohen's music is characterized by its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and emotional depth. He draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including Jewish liturgical music, folk music, and jazz. His compositions often explore themes of spirituality, love, and human connection. One of Cohen's most notable works is his opera, "Steal a Pencil for Me," which premiered in 2018 at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. The opera tells the true story of two Dutch Jews who fell in love while imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II. The opera received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and emotional impact. Another notable work by Cohen is his "Voyagers," a choral piece that celebrates the achievements of the Voyager spacecraft. The piece was commissioned by the New York Virtuoso Singers and premiered in 2017. It features a text by poet and science writer Diane Ackerman and incorporates recordings of the Voyager spacecraft's transmissions. Cohen has also composed numerous works for chamber ensembles, including his "Variously Blue" for clarinet, cello, and piano, and his "Sea of Reeds" for clarinet quartet. His music has been performed by many prominent musicians and ensembles, including the Cassatt String Quartet, the New York Philharmonic, and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Cohen is also an active performer and conductor. He has conducted the New York Virtuoso Singers and the New York Festival Singers, and has performed as a clarinetist with various ensembles. Cohen has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer, including the Aaron Copland Award, the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award. He is also a member of the American Composers Forum and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Overall, Gerald Cohen is a highly respected and accomplished composer of classical music. His works are known for their emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and innovative use of musical forms and styles. He continues to be an important figure in the contemporary classical music scene, and his music is sure to inspire and move audiences for years to come.

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