Brian Israel (February 5, 1951 - May 7, 1986), was an American composer, pianist, and conductor. He was a faculty member of the Syracuse University School of Music from 1975 until his death, at age 35, from leukemia.[1] He left a large number of symphonic, chamber, and solo works, several of which have been recorded for Spectrum, Redwood, Pro-Viva, Innova Records, and Albany Records.[2][full citation needed] "His music is marked by extreme contrasts in tempo and mood, often following a witty or downright funny movement with one that is deadly serious."[3]
In his honor, the Syracuse Society for New Music awards the Brian Israel Prize every year to an emerging New York State composer. In addition, Syracuse University gives the Brian Israel Award each year to a deserving student composer at the university.[4][full citation needed]
A prolific composer, he won several awards and received numerous commissions, among them a commission from the Society for New Music. Several of his works have been recorded on Spectrum, Redwood, and Pro-Viva. His "Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble" is regarded as his "most original creation," according to composer Daniel Godfrey in a 1986 interview. The movement titles are "Crystalnacht," "Coronach" and "Liberation." As a pianist, composer, and conductor, he performed with numerous ensembles, including, for many years, the Society for New Music.[citation needed]
Other notable works include a Piano Quartet (1984), his String Quartet No. 2 ("Music for the Next to Die"), and his final work: Symphony No. 6, for soprano, baritone, and orchestra, with texts from the Bible and Langston Hughes.[citation needed]
RecordingsEdit
String Quartet #2 ("Music for the Next to Die"). Included on the album Society for New Music, Spectrum Records, 1984 (SR-183)
In Praise of Practically Nothing. Included on the album Eastman American Music Series, Vol.6, Albany Records, 1999 (Troy 277)
String Quartet #2 ("Music for the Next to Die"). Included on the CD boxed-set American Masters for the 21st Century, Society for New Music, Innova (616), 2004
Sonatinetta for Mandolin and Guitar. Included on the album American Music for Mandolin and Guitar, by Duetto Gioconda, Querstand/Forte, 2007.
ReferencesEdit
^Cifelli, Cheryl, A Study of Selected Clarinet Music of Brian Israel (Doctoral Dissertation), University of North Texas, August 2004
brian, israel, february, 1951, 1986, american, composer, pianist, conductor, faculty, member, syracuse, university, school, music, from, 1975, until, death, from, leukemia, left, large, number, symphonic, chamber, solo, works, several, which, have, been, recor. Brian Israel February 5 1951 May 7 1986 was an American composer pianist and conductor He was a faculty member of the Syracuse University School of Music from 1975 until his death at age 35 from leukemia 1 He left a large number of symphonic chamber and solo works several of which have been recorded for Spectrum Redwood Pro Viva Innova Records and Albany Records 2 full citation needed His music is marked by extreme contrasts in tempo and mood often following a witty or downright funny movement with one that is deadly serious 3 In his honor the Syracuse Society for New Music awards the Brian Israel Prize every year to an emerging New York State composer In addition Syracuse University gives the Brian Israel Award each year to a deserving student composer at the university 4 full citation needed Biography EditA native of the Bronx New York Brian Israel studied with Lawrence Widdoes Ulysses Kay Robert Moffat Palmer Burrill Phillips and Karel Husa He received his MFA and DMA degrees from Cornell University and joined the Syracuse University School of Music faculty upon completion of his graduate studies He remained at Syracuse University until his death from leukemia at age 35 citation needed A prolific composer he won several awards and received numerous commissions among them a commission from the Society for New Music Several of his works have been recorded on Spectrum Redwood and Pro Viva His Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble is regarded as his most original creation according to composer Daniel Godfrey in a 1986 interview The movement titles are Crystalnacht Coronach and Liberation As a pianist composer and conductor he performed with numerous ensembles including for many years the Society for New Music citation needed Other notable works include a Piano Quartet 1984 his String Quartet No 2 Music for the Next to Die and his final work Symphony No 6 for soprano baritone and orchestra with texts from the Bible and Langston Hughes citation needed Recordings EditString Quartet 2 Music for the Next to Die Included on the album Society for New Music Spectrum Records 1984 SR 183 In Praise of Practically Nothing Included on the album Eastman American Music Series Vol 6 Albany Records 1999 Troy 277 String Quartet 2 Music for the Next to Die Included on the CD boxed set American Masters for the 21st Century Society for New Music Innova 616 2004 Sonatinetta for Mandolin and Guitar Included on the album American Music for Mandolin and Guitar by Duetto Gioconda Querstand Forte 2007 References Edit Cifelli Cheryl A Study of Selected Clarinet Music of Brian Israel Doctoral Dissertation University of North Texas August 2004 Tritone Press and Tenuto Publications Neil Gladd Music for Mandolin Guitar and Voice Program Notes for a concert on June 2 2002 Society for New Music website This article about an American composer born in the 20th century is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brian Israel amp oldid 1167675672, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
