Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1951

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Ross Bauer was a renowned American composer of classical music, known for his unique style and innovative approach to composition. Born on May 12, 1951, in New York City, Bauer grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Bauer began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Bauer attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with Milton Babbitt and Elliott Carter. He also studied piano with Adele Marcus and chamber music with Felix Galimir. After graduating from Juilliard, Bauer continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in composition. Bauer's early works were heavily influenced by the serialist techniques of his teachers, Babbitt and Carter. However, as he matured as a composer, he began to develop his own unique style, which blended elements of serialism with tonality and rhythmic complexity. One of Bauer's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 1986. The symphony is a complex and challenging work, featuring intricate rhythms and dense harmonies. It received critical acclaim and established Bauer as one of the leading composers of his generation. Bauer's other notable works include his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the pianist Ursula Oppens and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 1991, and his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 1994. Both works showcase Bauer's unique style and his ability to blend traditional and modernist elements in his compositions. In addition to his work as a composer, Bauer was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught composition at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1980 until his death in 2018. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right, including Mason Bates, Ken Ueno, and Cindy Cox. Throughout his career, Bauer received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. He was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, the Rome Prize, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. He was also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Bauer's legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. His innovative approach to composition and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music have left a lasting impact on the field.

More....