Role

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Composer Conductor  

 

Joseph Thalken is a renowned American composer, pianist, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, Thalken showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a pianist and his father a singer. Thalken's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Thalken attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He then went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he received a Master of Music degree in piano performance. During his time in New York, Thalken also studied composition with renowned composer John Corigliano. Thalken's career as a composer began to take off in the 1990s, when he started writing music for the theater. He composed the music for several off-Broadway productions, including "Was" and "Harlem Song." In 2001, Thalken received critical acclaim for his work on the Broadway musical "The Thing About Men," which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. Thalken's success in the theater world led to opportunities in the classical music world. He has composed works for several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Pops. In 2007, Thalken was commissioned by the New York City Ballet to compose a new ballet score, which was premiered at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to his work as a composer, Thalken is also an accomplished pianist and conductor. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony. Thalken has also conducted several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Pops. Thalken's contributions to the world of classical music have not gone unnoticed. He has received several awards and honors throughout his career, including the Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater, the Jonathan Larson Award, and the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award. Thalken has also been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Despite his success, Thalken remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to compose, perform, and conduct, always striving to create new and innovative works that push the boundaries of classical music. Thalken's passion for music is evident in everything he does, and his contributions to the world of classical music will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

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