Role

:

Composer Performer

 

Michael Alec Rose is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 15, 1959, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Rose began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and bass. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his undergraduate studies, Rose went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the Yale School of Music. He also studied at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival and School. During his time at Yale, Rose studied with composers Jacob Druckman and Martin Bresnick, who had a significant influence on his musical style. Rose's music is known for its eclectic style, which draws on a wide range of musical traditions and influences. His compositions often incorporate elements of jazz, rock, and world music, as well as classical music. He has been praised for his ability to blend these different styles into a cohesive whole, creating music that is both innovative and accessible. One of Rose's early works, "The Book of Hours," was written for the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 1990. The piece is a set of seven short movements, each inspired by a different hour of the day. The music is characterized by its use of unconventional techniques, such as plucking the strings of the instruments and using extended techniques to create unusual sounds. Another notable work by Rose is "The Celestial Circus," which was commissioned by the Nashville Symphony and premiered in 2003. The piece is a musical depiction of the medieval concept of the "celestial circus," which was believed to be a heavenly spectacle of dancing angels and saints. The music is characterized by its use of percussion instruments, which are used to create a sense of rhythmic energy and excitement. In addition to his work as a composer, Rose is also a professor of composition at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been a member of the faculty since 1994 and has taught a wide range of courses in music theory, composition, and performance. He has also served as a mentor to many young composers, helping them to develop their own unique musical voices. Rose's music has been performed by a wide range of ensembles and musicians, including the Nashville Symphony, the Kronos Quartet, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fromm Foundation Commission. His music has been recorded on several labels, including Naxos, Albany Records, and Innova Recordings. Overall, Michael Alec Rose is a composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His music is characterized by its innovative style, which draws on a wide range of musical traditions and influences. He has been praised for his ability to create music that is both accessible and challenging, and for his dedication to teaching and mentoring young composers.

More....