Philip Lasser
Encyclopedia
Philip Lasser is an American
composer
, pianist
, and music theorist. He is a professor of music at the Juilliard School
in New York City.
, and following receipt of a Bachelor's degree
he lived in Paris
(1985 - 1988).
In 1988 Lasser entered Columbia University
for a Master's degree
in Composition, then entered Juilliard
, receiving a degree in Doctor of Musical Arts
. He wrote an academic work on the contrapuntal analysis of music entitled The Spiraling Tapestry, published by Rassel Editions. His piece Twelve Variations on a Chorale by J. S. Bach has been recorded by pianist Simone Dinnerstein
on the Telarc record label.
Lasser is president of the European American Musical Alliance. As director of EAMA's Summer Music Programs in Paris since its 1996 inception, he promotes the pedagogical training of young musicians.
Lasser became a faculty member of Juilliard in 1994. In 2006 he received the Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He previously received the National Orchestral Association's New Music Orchestral Project, and the Louis B. Mayer Award for operatic endeavors. He has been composer-in-residence at the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France, and at the Yaddo
Colony.
Concertante
Chamber music
Piano
Vocal
Choral
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and music theorist. He is a professor of music at the Juilliard School
Juilliard 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 City.
Career and contributions
Lasser began taking piano lessons at age five. At age sixteen he entered the Ecole d'Arts Americaines in the Palace of Fontainebleau, France. He studied at Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and following receipt of a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
he lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(1985 - 1988).
In 1988 Lasser entered Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
for a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Composition, then entered Juilliard
Juilliard 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...
, receiving a degree in Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Musical Arts
The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is a doctoral academic degree in music. The D.M.A. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The D.M.A...
. He wrote an academic work on the contrapuntal analysis of music entitled The Spiraling Tapestry, published by Rassel Editions. His piece Twelve Variations on a Chorale by J. S. Bach has been recorded by pianist Simone Dinnerstein
Simone Dinnerstein
Simone Dinnerstein is an American classical pianist who became celebrated, both critically and commercially, for her self-financed recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations, released in 2007.-Education:...
on the Telarc record label.
Lasser is president of the European American Musical Alliance. As director of EAMA's Summer Music Programs in Paris since its 1996 inception, he promotes the pedagogical training of young musicians.
Lasser became a faculty member of Juilliard in 1994. In 2006 he received the Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He previously received the National Orchestral Association's New Music Orchestral Project, and the Louis B. Mayer Award for operatic endeavors. He has been composer-in-residence at the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France, and at the Yaddo
Yaddo
Yaddo is an artists' community located on a 400 acre estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment."...
Colony.
Partial list of compositions
Orchestral- So Says the Wind for string orchestra (2004)
- Manchester Miniature for string orchestra (2001)
- Circle of Dreams (2000)
- Southern Landscapes (1998)
- Prelude and Double Fugue in G Minor (1995)
Concertante
- Vocalise for violin and string orchestra (2000)
- Ballade for violin and string orchestra (1999)
- 3 Counterpoints on Preludes and Fugues from the Well-Tempered Klavier for violin and orchestra (1998)
Chamber music
- Sonapartita for solo violin (2009)
- Ballade for flute and string quartet (2008)
- Chaconne Variations for violin and piano (2008)
- Childhood Suite for solo guitar (2004)
- Sonata for cello and piano (2003)
- Trio in F for violin, cello and piano (2003)
- Vocalise for violin (or viola, or cello) and quartet (arr.) (2003)
- Manchester Miniature for string quartet (2001)
- Into Evening for trombone and harp (2001)
- La Boite de Bijoux for violin and piano (2000)
- Vocalise for violin and piano (arr.) (1999)
- Berceuse Fantasque for violin and piano (1996)
- Sonata for solo viola (1996)
- String Quartet No.1 (1994)
- Counterpoints to the Well-Tempered Klavier for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, or cello and keyboard
Piano
- Still Life in Toccata Style (2005)
- Twelve Variations on a Chorale by J.S. Bach (2002)
- Sonata "Les Hiboux Blancs" (1996)
- Prelude "From Winter to Spring" (1994)
Vocal
- Nicolette et Aucassin for two sopranos, narrator and piano (2008)
- License of Love for mezzo-soprano and piano (2002)
- Les Couleurs de la Vie for soprano and piano (2000)
- Lonely in Eden for mezzo-soprano and piano (1999)
- Parisian Evening for soprano and piano (1999)
- Les Visage de l’Amour for soprano and piano (1998)
Choral
- The Dream Keeper for mixed chorus and chamber orchestra (2006)
- Sing Christmas! for mixed chorus and piano (2001)
- Kaddish for the Six Million for double mixed chorus, cello and cantor (2000)
- B’chol Dor Vador for mixed chorus and piano (1999)
- Esai Esa, Psalm 121 for baritone and mixed chorus (1987)