Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1976 in Illinois

Period

:

Contemporary

 

Aaron Cassidy is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on January 1, 1976, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Cassidy began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and saxophone. He was also interested in composition from an early age and began writing music in his teenage years. Cassidy received his Bachelor of Music degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he studied composition with Peter-Anthony Togni. He then went on to earn his Master of Music degree from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, where he studied with Christopher Butterfield. Cassidy later earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Huddersfield in England, where he studied with Richard Barrett. Cassidy's music is known for its complexity and experimental nature. He often uses extended techniques and unconventional notation in his compositions. His works have been performed by ensembles such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Arditti Quartet, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. One of Cassidy's most notable works is "The Crutch of Memory," which was commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2007. The piece is scored for large orchestra and features a solo percussionist who plays a variety of instruments, including a drum kit, vibraphone, and glockenspiel. The piece is known for its intricate rhythms and complex textures. Another notable work by Cassidy is "The wreck of former boundaries," which was commissioned by the Arditti Quartet and premiered in 2010. The piece is scored for string quartet and features a variety of extended techniques, including bowing behind the bridge and playing on the fingerboard. The piece is known for its intense energy and virtuosic playing. Cassidy's music has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2002, he was awarded the Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music, which is one of Canada's most prestigious music awards. In 2012, he was awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation Prize, which is one of the most prestigious awards for contemporary classical music. In addition to his work as a composer, Cassidy is also a professor of music at the University of Huddersfield. He has written extensively on contemporary music and has given lectures and workshops around the world. Overall, Aaron Cassidy is a highly respected composer in the world of contemporary classical music. His music is known for its complexity and experimental nature, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work. Cassidy continues to push the boundaries of classical music and inspire new generations of composers and performers.

More....