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Composer Performer

 

Michael Tenzer is a renowned composer, ethnomusicologist, and performer who has made significant contributions to the field of classical music. He was born on August 10, 1957, in New York City, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist, which exposed him to a wide range of musical styles from an early age. Tenzer began his musical training at the age of six, studying piano and composition with his mother. He later went on to study at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in musicology. Throughout his career, Tenzer has been interested in exploring the intersections between different musical traditions. He has studied and performed music from a wide range of cultures, including Balinese gamelan, Indian classical music, and African drumming. This cross-cultural approach has informed his compositions, which often incorporate elements from multiple musical traditions. One of Tenzer's most significant contributions to the field of classical music is his work on just intonation. Just intonation is a tuning system that is based on the natural harmonic series, rather than the equal-tempered tuning system that is commonly used in Western classical music. Tenzer has written extensively on the subject and has composed several works that use just intonation. One of Tenzer's most well-known compositions is his piece "In the Eye of the Storm," which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 1991. The piece is scored for string quartet and Balinese gamelan, and it incorporates elements of both Western classical music and Balinese music. The piece has been performed by the Kronos Quartet and other ensembles around the world and has received critical acclaim for its innovative use of cross-cultural elements. Another notable work by Tenzer is his piece "Let Others Name You," which was commissioned by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 2005. The piece is scored for orchestra and features a solo cello part that is played using just intonation. The piece has been performed by several orchestras around the world and has been praised for its unique sound and innovative use of tuning systems. In addition to his work as a composer, Tenzer is also a respected ethnomusicologist and has written extensively on the music of Bali. He has conducted fieldwork in Bali and has published several books and articles on Balinese music and culture. His research has been instrumental in bringing Balinese music to a wider audience and has helped to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Tenzer is currently a professor of music at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches composition, ethnomusicology, and theory. He continues to compose and perform music that explores the intersections between different musical traditions and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential composers of his generation.

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