Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 4, 1951 in Hammond, IN

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Lois V. Vierk is a contemporary American composer known for her unique approach to composition, which combines elements of minimalism, microtonality, and Japanese music. Born on February 4, 1951, in Spokane, Washington, Vierk grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. She went on to study music at the University of Washington, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1973. After completing her undergraduate studies, Vierk moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. She studied composition with renowned composers such as Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, and Richard Teitelbaum, and became involved in the city's vibrant experimental music scene. In the 1980s, she co-founded the composers' collective "Bang on a Can" with fellow composers Michael Gordon and David Lang, which became a major force in the contemporary classical music world. Vierk's music is characterized by its use of unconventional tuning systems and microtonal intervals, which create a rich and complex harmonic palette. She often draws inspiration from Japanese music, particularly the traditional gagaku music of the imperial court, which she studied during a residency in Japan in the 1990s. Her compositions also incorporate elements of minimalism, with repetitive patterns and gradual changes in texture and dynamics. One of Vierk's most famous works is "Red Shift," a piece for string quartet that was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 1989. The piece is named after the astronomical phenomenon in which light from distant galaxies appears to shift towards the red end of the spectrum due to the expansion of the universe. The music of "Red Shift" reflects this idea, with slow, sustained tones that gradually shift in pitch and color. The piece has been performed by numerous ensembles around the world and has become a staple of the contemporary classical repertoire. Another notable work by Vierk is "River Beneath the River," a piece for chamber ensemble that was commissioned by the New York-based ensemble Either/Or in 2002. The piece is inspired by the idea of a river flowing beneath the surface of another river, and features intricate rhythms and complex harmonies that create a sense of fluidity and motion. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of microtonality and its evocative imagery. In addition to her work as a composer, Vierk has also been a dedicated teacher and mentor to young musicians. She has taught at numerous institutions, including the California Institute of the Arts, the University of California San Diego, and the New England Conservatory of Music. She has also been a frequent guest lecturer and workshop leader at universities and music festivals around the world. Throughout her career, Vierk has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to contemporary classical music. In 1994, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed her to travel to Japan to study gagaku music. She has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 2019, she was awarded the prestigious Alpert Award in the Arts, which recognizes artists who have made significant contributions to their field. Today, Vierk continues to compose and perform music, and her work remains an important part of the contemporary classical repertoire.

More....