Cameron Carpenter
Encyclopedia
Cameron Carpenter is an American organist
known for his virtuosity, showmanship, technique and arrangements for the organ.
in New York, having studied with Gerre Hancock
, John Weaver, and Paul Jacobs
. Though he is not religious, Carpenter was from 2008 to 2009 the artist-in-residence at Middle Collegiate Church in New York's East Village
, where he played a four-manual virtual pipe organ that he designed for the broad ranging music of that church. Carpenter ended his residency in July 2009.
A champion of virtual pipe organs, Carpenter has been referred to as "extraordinary", "the most controversial organist in the world" and "meshing virtuosity with musical intelligence" while also attracting criticism.
, and his own improvisatory "New York City Sessions." Visuals for the Moussorgsky were created by Marshall Yaeger and his Kaleidoplex. The recording was made at Trinity Church, New York
.
An "early" recording, made in 2005 and financed by the Allen Organ Company, was titled notes from the underground. This recording was a highly unusual project for Allen, as Carpenter was given near-complete artistic control of the album, selection of the program and even oversight of graphic design (featuring location shots of Carpenter at famous New York City graffiti sites). This album was not reissued by Allen and is now a rarity.
On June 1, 2010, Telarc issued in the U.S. Carpenter's newest recording project, a two disc set with a CD carrying a J.S. Bach recital that had been recorded live at a recital he played in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City, and a DVD containing a full studio recital program with narration by Carpenter, as well as video clips from other live recital programs.
, Carpenter was identified as "queer" — a term often used to encompass one or more non-heterosexual orientations
. “While my first love was a boy and I’ve had numerous male lovers, I also love women,” Carpenter said. In a Sunday, November 15, 2009 Arts & Leisure full page interview with "The New York Times" ( "In Concert: Talent, Style and Sequins" by Vivien Schweitzer), Carpenter "describes his sexuality as 'radically inclusive.'" Schweitzer writes, "He has pushed the boundaries of organ technique to breathtaking heights, meshing virtuosity with musical intelligence."
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
known for his virtuosity, showmanship, technique and arrangements for the organ.
Biography
Carpenter has bachelor's and master's degrees from The Juilliard SchoolJuilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
in New York, having studied with Gerre Hancock
Gerre Hancock
Gerre Edward Hancock is an American organist, improviser, and composer. Hancock is currently Professor of Organ and Sacred Music at the University of Texas, Austin.Dr...
, John Weaver, and Paul Jacobs
Paul Jacobs
Paul Jacobs can refer to:*Paul Jacobs , American activist**Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang, documentary film about the above*Paul Jacobs , Flemish author*Paul Jacobs , professional hockey player...
. Though he is not religious, Carpenter was from 2008 to 2009 the artist-in-residence at Middle Collegiate Church in New York's East Village
East Village, Manhattan
The East Village is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, lying east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and north of the Lower East Side...
, where he played a four-manual virtual pipe organ that he designed for the broad ranging music of that church. Carpenter ended his residency in July 2009.
A champion of virtual pipe organs, Carpenter has been referred to as "extraordinary", "the most controversial organist in the world" and "meshing virtuosity with musical intelligence" while also attracting criticism.
Recordings
Early in 2008, Telarc signed Carpenter to an exclusive five-album recording contract. His Telarc debut album, Revolutionary, was recorded as a CD and DVD at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City, and released September 23, 2008. The title comes from Carpenter's transcription of Chopin's Revolutionary Etude. The album made Carpenter the first organist ever to receive a Grammy nomination in the category Best Solo Instrumental Performance (without orchestra) for a solo album. His first commercial album was a 2006 CD/DVD, Pictures at an Exhibition, on SeeMusicDVD. It includes his arrangement of the programmatic piano work by Modest MussorgskyModest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky was a Russian composer, one of the group known as 'The Five'. He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period...
, and his own improvisatory "New York City Sessions." Visuals for the Moussorgsky were created by Marshall Yaeger and his Kaleidoplex. The recording was made at Trinity Church, New York
Trinity Church, New York
Trinity Church at 79 Broadway, Lower Manhattan, is a historic, active parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York...
.
An "early" recording, made in 2005 and financed by the Allen Organ Company, was titled notes from the underground. This recording was a highly unusual project for Allen, as Carpenter was given near-complete artistic control of the album, selection of the program and even oversight of graphic design (featuring location shots of Carpenter at famous New York City graffiti sites). This album was not reissued by Allen and is now a rarity.
On June 1, 2010, Telarc issued in the U.S. Carpenter's newest recording project, a two disc set with a CD carrying a J.S. Bach recital that had been recorded live at a recital he played in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in New York City, and a DVD containing a full studio recital program with narration by Carpenter, as well as video clips from other live recital programs.
Work
Carpenter has been both criticized by some and praised by others for his unorthodox interpretations of the standard organ repertoire. Registrations rarely follow those suggested by the composer, and Carpenter often takes dramatic liberties in articulation. Carpenter is also noted for his advocacy of the digital organ, particularly development of a touring virtual pipe organ, citing factors such as the obstacles the pipe organ imposes on the ability of a traveling performer to enjoy an ongoing relationship with a single instrument in the same manner as many other instrumentalists. Despite this, he frequently performs on pipe organs, often garnering major exposure for the instrument.Personal life
In an interview with The AdvocateThe Advocate
The Advocate is an American LGBT-interest magazine, printed monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a web site. Both magazine and web site have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to LGBT people...
, Carpenter was identified as "queer" — a term often used to encompass one or more non-heterosexual orientations
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
. “While my first love was a boy and I’ve had numerous male lovers, I also love women,” Carpenter said. In a Sunday, November 15, 2009 Arts & Leisure full page interview with "The New York Times" ( "In Concert: Talent, Style and Sequins" by Vivien Schweitzer), Carpenter "describes his sexuality as 'radically inclusive.'" Schweitzer writes, "He has pushed the boundaries of organ technique to breathtaking heights, meshing virtuosity with musical intelligence."