Role

:

Composer

 

Elizabeth Ogonek is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1989 in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a composer. Ogonek began playing the violin at a young age and later learned to play the piano and the guitar. She also sang in choirs and played in orchestras throughout her childhood. Ogonek attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the Yale School of Music in New Haven, Connecticut. While at Yale, Ogonek studied with Martin Bresnick, Aaron Jay Kernis, and Christopher Theofanidis. Ogonek's music is characterized by its intricate textures, rich harmonies, and use of extended techniques. She often draws inspiration from literature, visual art, and nature. Her compositions have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Ogonek's most notable works is her 2015 composition "All These Lighted Things," which was commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The piece is a tribute to the city of Chicago and its vibrant cultural scene. It features a large orchestra and incorporates elements of jazz and blues music, as well as references to the city's architecture and landmarks. Another notable work by Ogonek is her 2017 composition "As though birds," which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The piece is inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson and features a solo violin and a large orchestra. It explores themes of flight, freedom, and transcendence. Ogonek has also written several chamber music works, including "In silence" for string quartet and "Invisible Colors" for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. Her chamber music often features intricate counterpoint and explores the interplay between different instruments. In addition to her work as a composer, Ogonek is also an educator. She has taught composition at the University of Chicago and the University of Southern California, and has served as a mentor for young composers through programs such as the American Composers Orchestra's EarShot program. Overall, Elizabeth Ogonek is a talented and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Her works are characterized by their intricate textures, rich harmonies, and use of extended techniques, and often draw inspiration from literature, visual art, and nature.

More....