Role

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Composer

Period

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Modern

Genre

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Chamber

 

Peter Susser is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in New York City in 1959. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional violinist and his mother a pianist. Susser began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola as well. Susser attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Milton Babbitt and Roger Sessions. He also studied with composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who had a significant influence on his musical style. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Susser began his career as a composer, writing music for a variety of ensembles and orchestras. His early works were heavily influenced by the serialist and atonal styles of his teachers, but he later developed a more eclectic style that incorporated elements of jazz, rock, and world music. One of Susser's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 1992. The symphony is a large-scale work that features a wide range of musical styles and influences, including jazz, blues, and Latin American music. It has been praised for its innovative use of orchestration and its ability to blend different musical genres into a cohesive whole. Another significant work by Susser is his opera, The Faith Operas, which was premiered in 2005. The opera is a collection of three one-act operas that explore different aspects of faith and spirituality. The first opera, The Book of Job, is based on the biblical story of Job and features a libretto by poet and playwright David Yezzi. The second opera, The Bhagavad Gita, is based on the Hindu scripture of the same name and features a libretto by poet and translator Andrew Schelling. The third opera, The Tao Te Ching, is based on the Chinese philosophical text and features a libretto by poet and translator Red Pine. In addition to his large-scale works, Susser has also written numerous chamber music pieces, including string quartets, piano trios, and solo works for various instruments. His chamber music is characterized by its intricate textures and use of extended techniques, such as harmonics and glissandi. Susser has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. He has also been a resident composer at several prestigious institutions, including the MacDowell Colony and the Yaddo artist colony. Overall, Peter Susser is a highly respected and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His works are characterized by their eclectic style, innovative use of orchestration, and exploration of spiritual and philosophical themes.

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