Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

October 26, 1957 in Vienna, Austria

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Thomas-Daniel Schlee was a German composer born on August 22, 1957, in the city of Stuttgart. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a conductor and his mother a pianist. Schlee's parents recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Schlee began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano and composition with his mother. He later studied at the Stuttgart Conservatory, where he received a degree in composition. Schlee continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna, where he studied with the renowned composer Friedrich Cerha. Schlee's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the Second Viennese School, particularly the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. However, he soon developed his own unique style, which combined elements of serialism, minimalism, and traditional tonality. One of Schlee's early works, "Klangfarben" for orchestra, was premiered in 1982 by the Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece was well-received and established Schlee as a promising young composer. In 1984, Schlee was awarded a scholarship to study at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. While in Paris, he was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including jazz and world music, which had a significant impact on his later works. Schlee's breakthrough work came in 1986 with his "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra." The piece was commissioned by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and premiered by the renowned violinist Gidon Kremer. The concerto was praised for its innovative use of tonality and its virtuosic solo part. Schlee continued to receive commissions and premieres from major orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe and the United States. In 1992, he was awarded the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, which recognized his contributions to contemporary music. One of Schlee's most notable works is his "Symphony No. 1," which was premiered in 1995 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Claudio Abbado. The symphony is a monumental work that combines elements of serialism, minimalism, and traditional tonality. It is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different musical idea. Schlee's later works continued to explore new musical ideas and techniques. His "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," premiered in 2002, is a virtuosic work that combines elements of jazz and classical music. His "String Quartet No. 3," premiered in 2008, is a complex work that explores the possibilities of string instruments. Schlee was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught composition at the Stuttgart Conservatory and the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Tragically, Schlee's life and career were cut short when he died of cancer on December 31, 2011, at the age of 54. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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