Role

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Composer

Birth

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1964 in Mountain View, CA

Period

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Contemporary

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Keyboard

 

Lansing D. McLoskey is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on December 24, 1964, in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. McLoskey started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. He attended the University of Miami, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and a Master of Music degree in composition and theory. McLoskey's early compositions were influenced by jazz and rock music, but he later turned to classical music. He studied with several renowned composers, including John Corigliano, David Del Tredici, and Milton Babbitt. McLoskey's music is characterized by its complexity, dissonance, and use of extended techniques. One of McLoskey's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered in 1997. The symphony is in four movements and features a large orchestra, including a full percussion section and a choir. The work is inspired by the poetry of Walt Whitman and explores themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. Another significant work by McLoskey is his opera, "Zealot Canticles," which premiered in 2019. The opera is based on the life of Paul the Apostle and features a libretto by the poet and theologian Christian Wiman. The work is scored for a small ensemble and features vocal soloists and a choir. The opera explores themes of faith, doubt, and redemption. McLoskey has also composed several works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Del Sol String Quartet and premiered in 2007. The work is in four movements and features a variety of extended techniques, including harmonics, glissandi, and pizzicato. In addition to his work as a composer, McLoskey is also a professor of music at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Rome Prize in Composition, the Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition. McLoskey's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Sinfonietta. His music has been praised for its originality, complexity, and emotional depth. In conclusion, Lansing D. McLoskey is a contemporary classical music composer who has made significant contributions to the field of music. His works are characterized by their complexity, dissonance, and use of extended techniques. McLoskey's Symphony No. 1 and opera "Zealot Canticles" are among his most notable works, and he has also composed several works for chamber ensembles. McLoskey's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his work.

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