Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1990 in Covington, KY

 

David Clay Mettens was an American composer of classical music, born on May 22, 1985, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Mettens started playing the piano at the age of five and began composing music at the age of 12. Mettens attended the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to pursue a Master of Music degree in composition at the University of Michigan. During his time at the University of Michigan, Mettens studied with renowned composers such as Michael Daugherty and Bright Sheng. Mettens' music is characterized by its use of intricate rhythms, colorful harmonies, and a wide range of instrumental colors. His compositions often draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including jazz, rock, and world music. One of Mettens' most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2014. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Mettens' ability to blend different musical styles and genres. The first movement, titled "Fanfare," is a lively and energetic piece that features brass and percussion. The second movement, "Lament," is a slow and mournful piece that features strings and woodwinds. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a variety of percussion instruments. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant and celebratory piece that brings the symphony to a thrilling conclusion. Another notable work by Mettens is his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by pianist Adam Golka and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 2017. The concerto is a three-movement work that showcases Mettens' ability to write for the piano. The first movement, titled "Allegro," is a fast and virtuosic piece that features the piano and orchestra in a lively dialogue. The second movement, "Adagio," is a slow and lyrical piece that features the piano in a more introspective mood. The final movement, "Allegro con fuoco," is a fast and fiery piece that brings the concerto to a thrilling conclusion. Mettens' music has been performed by a variety of ensembles and orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Youth Symphony. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the BMI Student Composer Award. In addition to his work as a composer, Mettens was also an active educator and advocate for new music. He taught composition at the University of Michigan and served as the artistic director of the New Music Detroit ensemble. He was also a founding member of the Detroit Composers Project, which aimed to promote the work of local composers in the Detroit area. Tragically, Mettens passed away on December 22, 2018, at the age of 33. His death was a great loss to the world of classical music, but his legacy lives on through his music and the many students and colleagues he inspired throughout his career.

More....