Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

January 22, 1949 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

April 13, 2013 in Princeton, NJ

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Dean Drummond was an American composer, conductor, and performer who was known for his contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born on August 27, 1949, in New York City, Drummond grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to a wide range of musical styles from an early age. Drummond began his musical education at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He quickly showed a talent for music and began to explore other instruments, including the clarinet and saxophone. By the time he was a teenager, he had already started composing his own music and was performing in local jazz clubs. After graduating from high school, Drummond attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition and conducting. He also studied with the renowned composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who had a significant influence on his musical style. During this time, Drummond began to experiment with microtonal music, which would become a hallmark of his work. In 1976, Drummond founded the Newband, an ensemble dedicated to performing microtonal music. The group consisted of a variety of unusual instruments, including the Harry Partch instruments, which were designed to play microtonal music. Newband quickly gained a reputation for their innovative performances and became one of the leading ensembles in the world of contemporary classical music. Throughout his career, Drummond was known for his collaborations with other musicians and artists. He worked with a wide range of performers, including the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. He also collaborated with visual artists, including the sculptor Richard Lippold and the painter Robert Rauschenberg. One of Drummond's most significant achievements was his work on the opera "The Architecture of Music." The opera, which was commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, was a collaboration between Drummond and the composer and librettist Heiner Goebbels. The opera premiered in 1994 and was widely praised for its innovative use of microtonal music and its exploration of the relationship between music and architecture. Drummond's work was recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to continue his work on microtonal music. He was also awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1993, which is often referred to as the "genius grant." The fellowship provided him with a significant amount of funding to continue his work and allowed him to explore new avenues in his music. Despite his many achievements, Drummond's life was cut short when he passed away on October 13, 2013, at the age of 64. His contributions to the world of contemporary classical music continue to be celebrated and remembered by musicians and music lovers around the world. In conclusion, Dean Drummond was a pioneering figure in the world of contemporary classical music. His innovative use of microtonal music and his collaborations with other musicians and artists helped to push the boundaries of what was possible in the world of classical music. His work continues to inspire and influence musicians and composers today, and his legacy will undoubtedly be felt for many years to come.

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