Role

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Composer

Period

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Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Matthew Greenbaum is a contemporary American composer of classical music. He was born on August 23, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. Greenbaum grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. He began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. Greenbaum attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition with Jack Gottlieb. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. He then earned a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Jacob Druckman. Greenbaum's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the works of John Cage and Morton Feldman. His compositions often incorporate elements of improvisation and chance, as well as unconventional instrumentation and extended techniques. One of Greenbaum's early works, "The Garden of Love," was premiered in 1976 by the New York New Music Ensemble. The piece features a text by William Blake and incorporates spoken word, singing, and instrumental music. Another early work, "The Four Seasons," was premiered in 1978 by the New York Philharmonic. The piece is a set of four short works, each inspired by a different season. In the 1980s, Greenbaum began to incorporate more traditional forms and structures into his compositions. He also began to explore the use of electronics in his music. One of his most notable works from this period is "The Jukebox in the Tavern of Love," which was premiered in 1986 by the New York New Music Ensemble. The piece features a text by the composer and incorporates electronic sounds and live performance. In the 1990s, Greenbaum continued to explore the use of electronics in his music, as well as the incorporation of non-Western musical traditions. One of his most notable works from this period is "The Voice of Isaac," which was premiered in 1995 by the New York New Music Ensemble. The piece features a text by the composer and incorporates electronic sounds, live performance, and elements of Jewish liturgical music. In the 2000s, Greenbaum continued to explore new forms and structures in his compositions. He also began to incorporate more traditional tonal elements into his music. One of his most notable works from this period is "The Cusp of Magic," which was premiered in 2006 by the American Composers Orchestra. The piece features a text by the composer and incorporates live performance, electronics, and elements of jazz and rock music. Greenbaum's music has been performed by many notable ensembles and musicians, including the New York Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra, the Kronos Quartet, and the Bang on a Can All-Stars. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fromm Foundation Commission. In addition to his work as a composer, Greenbaum is also a professor of music at Rutgers University. He has taught composition and music theory at Rutgers since 1984 and has mentored many notable composers, including Missy Mazzoli and Anna Clyne. Overall, Matthew Greenbaum is a highly respected and influential composer of contemporary classical music. His work has been praised for its innovative use of form and structure, as well as its incorporation of diverse musical traditions and influences.

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