Role

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Composer Performer

Birth

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1957

 

Edmund Campion was a renowned American composer of classical music, born on January 4, 1957, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a pianist, and his mother was a singer. Campion started playing the piano at the age of five and began composing music when he was just eight years old. Campion attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied composition with Andrew Imbrie and John Thow. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1979 and went on to earn his Master of Arts degree in 1981. He then pursued his doctoral studies at Columbia University, where he studied with Mario Davidovsky and received his Ph.D. in 1986. Campion's music is known for its complexity and experimentation with electronic and computer-generated sounds. He was one of the pioneers of computer music and was a member of the Computer Music Center at Columbia University. His music often combines acoustic instruments with electronic sounds, creating a unique and innovative sound. One of Campion's most notable works is his opera, "Corona," which premiered in 1996 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The opera is based on the life of the 17th-century Mexican nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and explores themes of gender, power, and creativity. The opera received critical acclaim and was praised for its innovative use of technology and its powerful storytelling. Another notable work by Campion is his piece, "Suburban Dreams," which was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony and premiered in 2001. The piece is a tribute to the composer's childhood memories of growing up in suburban Connecticut. It features a combination of acoustic and electronic sounds and is known for its intricate rhythms and complex harmonies. Campion's music has been performed by many renowned orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Kronos Quartet. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a Rome Prize. In addition to his work as a composer, Campion was also a respected educator. He taught at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1986 to 1992 and at the University of California, Santa Cruz, from 1992 until his death in 1998. He was known for his dedication to his students and his passion for teaching. Campion's untimely death at the age of 41 was a great loss to the world of classical music. However, his legacy lives on through his music and the many students he inspired during his career. His innovative use of technology and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music continue to influence and inspire composers today.

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