Page 329 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

CONTEMPORARY 327

See also: Symphonie fantastique 162–163 ■ Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor 179 ■ Das Lied von der
Erde 198–201 ■ Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune 228–231 ■ The Lark Ascending 252–253 ■ Appalachian Spring 286–287

Higdon siblings who played those The work premiered on May 1, The solo clarinet features
instruments. As Higdon is the 2000, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prominently in blue cathedral. It was
older sibling, the flute appears with Robert Spano as conductor. the instrument played by Higdon’s
first, followed by the clarinet. Musicians and critics lauded brother, who died of skin cancer shortly
before Higdon composed the piece.
This duet briefly returns near the Higdon’s ability to communicate
end, before the flute ceases, leaving the universal themes of love,
the clarinet (Andrew) to continue life, and death. The work’s strong The conductor initiated what
its journey alone. lyricism, exploration of orchestral would become known as the
Additional extended solos are color, and programmatic content Atlanta School of Composers,
presented by the English horn and made it a great success, and it a group comprising Higdon,
a violin; both are complemented became one of the 21st century’s Christopher Theofanidis, Osvaldo
by smaller instrumental melodies most popular compositions, with Golijov, Michael Gandolfi, and
that represent the lives a single some 600 productions (at all levels) Adam Schoenberg. Although
person touches in his or her journey. performed across the world. diverse in musical style, the
In the introduction and coda, composers are unified by their
Higdon also experiments with the The Atlanta School dedication to tonality and melody,
percussion section, utilizing some Following blue cathedral’s premiere, as well as their incorporation of
unorthodox orchestration, such as Higdon began a long and fruitful world music and popular culture.
crystal glasses and Chinese bells, association with the Atlanta Together, they have redefined the
to create an ethereal atmosphere. Symphony Orchestra led by Spano. genre of contemporary music. ■

Jennifer Higdon Jennifer Higdon was born in Concerto, Grammy Awards
Brooklyn, New York, in 1962, for her Percussion Concerto
and then moved with her family and Viola Concerto, and an
first to Atlanta and then to the International Opera Award for
Appalachian Mountains in her first opera, Cold Mountain,
Tennessee. After teaching herself based on the bestselling novel
to play the flute at the age of 15, of the same name by Charles
she began formal music studies Frazier. Her popularity allows
at 18 and went on to pursue her to compose exclusively
composition studies at graduate on commission.
level alongside two of America’s
most significant composers of the Other key works
20th century, Ned Rorem and
George Crumb. 2005 The Percussion Concerto
Higdon has received many 2008 The Singing Rooms
awards, including the Pulitzer 2009 Violin Concerto
Prize in Music for her Violin 2015 Cold Mountain

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