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Composer Performer

 

Thomas Hickstein was a German composer born on January 12, 1975, in Berlin. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a pianist and his mother a violinist. From a young age, Hickstein showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later learned to play the violin and the cello, and by the age of ten, he was already composing his own music. Hickstein's early musical education was at the Berlin University of the Arts, where he studied composition under the tutelage of renowned composers such as Wolfgang Rihm and Hans Werner Henze. He also studied piano and conducting, which helped him to develop a well-rounded understanding of music. Hickstein's early compositions were heavily influenced by the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. He was particularly drawn to the classical style of music, which he felt was the perfect medium for expressing his musical ideas. His early works were characterized by their clarity of form, elegance, and simplicity. In 1998, Hickstein graduated from the Berlin University of the Arts with a degree in composition. He then went on to study at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich, where he continued to develop his skills as a composer. During this time, he also began to experiment with more modern styles of music, incorporating elements of jazz and rock into his compositions. Hickstein's breakthrough came in 2002 when he won the prestigious Siemens Music Prize for his composition "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra." The piece was hailed as a masterpiece of modern classical music, and it brought Hickstein to the attention of the international music community. Over the next few years, Hickstein continued to compose music that was both innovative and accessible. His works were performed by some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with some of the world's leading soloists, including violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and pianist Lang Lang. One of Hickstein's most famous works is his "Symphony No. 1," which was premiered in 2006 by the Berlin Philharmonic. The piece is a modern take on the classical symphony, with elements of jazz and rock music woven into the fabric of the composition. The symphony was hailed as a masterpiece of modern classical music and cemented Hickstein's reputation as one of the most innovative composers of his generation. Hickstein's other notable works include his "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was premiered by Lang Lang in 2010, and his "String Quartet No. 2," which was premiered by the Arditti Quartet in 2012. Both pieces were well-received by critics and audiences alike and further cemented Hickstein's reputation as a composer of great talent and originality. In addition to his work as a composer, Hickstein was also a respected music educator. He taught composition at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich and was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music schools around the world. Tragically, Hickstein's life was cut short when he died in a car accident on December 3, 2014, at the age of 39. His death was a great loss to the music world, and he is remembered as one of the most talented and innovative composers of his generation. His music continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world, and his legacy as a composer and educator lives on.

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