Role

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Composer  

Birth

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1954

Genre

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Band

 

 

Chamber

 

Cynthia Folio is a renowned American composer and flutist, known for her innovative and expressive works that have been performed and recorded by leading musicians and ensembles around the world. Born in 1954 in New York City, Folio grew up in a musical family and began playing the flute at a young age. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in flute performance. Folio's early career as a flutist included performances with the New York Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the New York City Opera. However, she soon became interested in composition and began studying with composers such as George Crumb and Richard Wernick. In 1983, she earned her Doctorate in Composition from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied with George Rochberg and George Crumb. Folio's compositions are characterized by their expressive and emotional qualities, as well as their use of extended techniques and unconventional sounds. Her works often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience, and draw on a wide range of musical influences, from classical and jazz to world music and electronic music. One of Folio's most well-known works is her flute concerto, "The Garden of Cosmic Speculation," which was commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and premiered in 2004. The piece is inspired by the famous garden of the same name, designed by landscape architect Charles Jencks, and features a solo flute part that is both virtuosic and lyrical. The concerto has been performed by flutists such as Carol Wincenc and Marina Piccinini, and has been praised for its imaginative use of orchestration and its evocative musical language. Another notable work by Folio is her song cycle, "The Sacred Feminine," which sets texts by female poets such as Emily Dickinson and Mary Oliver to music. The cycle was commissioned by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and premiered in 2010, and has since been performed by vocalists such as Lucy Shelton and Tony Arnold. The piece explores themes of spirituality and the divine feminine, and features lush harmonies and intricate vocal lines. Folio's other works include chamber music, solo pieces, and electronic music, and have been performed by ensembles such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Daedalus Quartet, and the Network for New Music. She has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Pew Fellowship in the Arts, and a Fromm Foundation Commission. In addition to her work as a composer, Folio is also a dedicated educator and mentor. She has taught at Temple University, the University of the Arts, and the University of Pennsylvania, and has mentored numerous young composers and performers. She is also a frequent guest lecturer and presenter, and has given talks and workshops at institutions such as the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the American Composers Forum. Overall, Cynthia Folio is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of contemporary classical music. Her works are known for their emotional depth and expressive power, and have been performed and recorded by some of the world's leading musicians and ensembles. Her dedication to education and mentorship has also helped to inspire and shape the next generation of composers and performers.

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