Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 24, 1936 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

December 8, 2020 in Arcadia, CA

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Harold Budd was an American composer and pianist known for his minimalist and ambient music. He was born on May 24, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. Budd grew up in the Mojave Desert, where he developed a love for the vast and open landscapes that would later influence his music. Budd began his musical career as a jazz drummer, but he soon turned to the piano and began composing his own music. He studied at the University of Southern California and later at the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with the composer and theorist, Morton Subotnick. Budd's early works were heavily influenced by the avant-garde and experimental music of the 1960s. His first album, "The Pavilion of Dreams," was released in 1978 and featured collaborations with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. The album was a critical success and established Budd as a leading figure in the ambient music scene. Budd's music is characterized by its sparse and ethereal quality, with a focus on texture and atmosphere rather than melody and harmony. His compositions often feature long, sustained chords and delicate piano melodies, creating a sense of space and stillness. One of Budd's most famous works is "The Pearl," a collaboration with Brian Eno released in 1984. The album features Budd's delicate piano playing and Eno's atmospheric soundscapes, creating a dreamlike and otherworldly atmosphere. Budd continued to release albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Lovely Thunder" (1986), "The Room" (2000), and "Avalon Sutra" (2004). He also collaborated with a number of other musicians, including Robin Guthrie of the Cocteau Twins and the composer and producer, John Foxx. In addition to his work as a composer, Budd was also a respected teacher and lecturer. He taught at the California Institute of the Arts and the University of California, San Diego, and was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music festivals around the world. Budd's music has been widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth. His minimalist and ambient compositions have influenced a generation of musicians, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists. Harold Budd passed away on December 8, 2020, at the age of 84.

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