Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

September 12, 1981 in Bordeaux, France

 

Danae Vlasse was born on May 22, 1974, in Athens, Greece. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer. From a young age, Vlasse showed a natural talent for music and began playing the piano at the age of four. She was also exposed to a wide range of classical music, which helped shape her musical style. Vlasse's family moved to the United States when she was eight years old, and she continued her musical education there. She studied piano with renowned pianist and teacher, Seymour Bernstein, and later attended the Manhattan School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. She also studied composition with Richard Danielpour and David Del Tredici. Vlasse's early compositions were heavily influenced by her Greek heritage, with works such as "Greek Dances" and "Greek Suite" showcasing her love for traditional Greek music. However, as she continued to develop as a composer, her style became more eclectic, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and other genres. One of Vlasse's most notable works is her piano concerto, "The Island," which was commissioned by the Greek National Symphony Orchestra in 2004. The piece is inspired by the Greek island of Hydra, where Vlasse spent much of her childhood. It features a solo piano part that is both virtuosic and lyrical, and the orchestration is colorful and evocative. Another significant work by Vlasse is her "Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra," which was commissioned by the New York Youth Symphony in 2001. The piece features two pianos in dialogue with each other, as well as with the orchestra. It is a complex and challenging work that showcases Vlasse's skill as a composer. In addition to her concert works, Vlasse has also composed music for film and television. She has worked on projects such as the documentary "The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization" and the television series "The Sopranos." Throughout her career, Vlasse has received numerous awards and honors for her work. She was a finalist for the Rome Prize in Composition in 2001 and has received grants from organizations such as the American Composers Forum and the New York State Council on the Arts. Vlasse continues to compose and perform, and her music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. Her unique blend of classical and world music influences has earned her a place among the most exciting and innovative composers of her generation.

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