Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1969

 

Jacques Cohen was a British composer and conductor, born on May 22, 1953, in London, England. He was the son of a French father and an English mother, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a pianist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Cohen began his musical education at the age of six, when he started taking piano lessons. He later studied composition and conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was awarded several prizes for his work. He also studied with the renowned composer and conductor Pierre Boulez in Paris. Cohen's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, and he was known for his use of unconventional techniques and instruments. His first major composition was a piece for chamber orchestra called "Metamorphosis," which was premiered in 1976. In the 1980s, Cohen began to move away from the avant-garde and towards a more traditional style of composition. He was particularly interested in the music of the Baroque and Classical periods, and he began to incorporate elements of these styles into his own work. One of Cohen's most famous works is his "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra," which was premiered in 1990. The piece is notable for its use of Baroque-style counterpoint and its virtuosic solo violin part. It has been performed by many of the world's leading violinists, including Joshua Bell and Itzhak Perlman. Cohen was also known for his choral music, and he wrote several works for choir and orchestra. One of his most popular choral pieces is "The Lord is My Shepherd," which is based on the famous psalm and has been performed by choirs all over the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Cohen was also a respected conductor. He was the music director of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1995 to 2000, and he also conducted many other orchestras and ensembles throughout his career. Cohen was a prolific composer, and he wrote music in a wide variety of genres and styles. He was particularly interested in exploring the connections between different musical traditions, and he often incorporated elements of world music into his compositions. Sadly, Jacques Cohen passed away on December 23, 2020, at the age of 67. He left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

More....