Short bio Stephen Hartke
Full biography Stephen Hartke
Stephen Hartke is an American composer born in 1952 who is known for his influential and distinctive music that draws upon a wide range of styles and influences. Hartke has composed music for a variety of genres, including orchestra, opera, chamber music, and vocal music. He has won several prestigious awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship, Prix de Rome, and a Grammy award.
Hartke's style is notable for its eclectic mix of traditional tonal elements and modernist techniques. His music often features lush, intricate harmony and a rich orchestration that showcases his background in jazz and rock music. Hartke's music is also heavily influenced by literature and poetry and often explores powerful and universal themes.
One of Hartke's most famous works is his opera "The Greater Good," which premiered in 2006 and explores the theme of redemption. Another notable work is his piano concerto "Ship of State," composed in 2017, which features a unique blend of jazz and contemporary classical elements.
Alongside his prolific career as a composer, Hartke is also a highly respected music educator. He has taught at the University of Southern California, the University of California, and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
In conclusion, Stephen Hartke is a highly influential and respected American composer known for his innovative and eclectic style. Through his broad range of compositions, he has left a significant impact on the contemporary classical music world and has inspired generations of musicians and composers.
Compositions featuring Stephen Hartke
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fault Line, for harp | 7:48 min | Chamber Music | 2021 |
| 2 | Ship of State, chamber concerto for piano & 20 players | 19:09 min | Concerto | 2017 |
| 3 | Muse of the Missouri, for orchestra | 12:01 min | Orchestral | 2012 |
| 4 | Netsuke, for violin & piano | 20:26 min | Chamber Music | 2011 |
| 5 | A Brandenburg Autumn, for chamber orchestra | 18:36 min | Orchestral | 2006 |
| 6 | The Greater Good, or the Passion of Boule de Suif, opera in 2 acts | 141:41 min | Opera | 2006 |
| 7 | Percolative Processes, for percussion ensemble | 4:09 min | Chamber Music | 2005 |
| 8 | Cathedral in the Thrashing Rain, for 4 voices | 18:21 min | Vocal Music | 2003 |
| 9 | Symphony No. 3, for countertenor, 2 tenors, baritone & orchestra | 28:33 min | Symphony | 2003 |
| 10 | Beyond Words, for piano quartet | 12:52 min | Chamber Music | 2002 |
| 11 | Clarinet Concerto ("Landscapes with Blues") | 28:10 min | Concerto | 2001 |
| 12 | Gradus, for bass clarinet, vibraphone, piano, violin, cello & double bass | 7:12 min | Chamber Music | 1999 |
| 13 | Tituli, for 5 voices, violin & percussion | 42:00 min | Vocal Music | 1998 |
| 14 | The Rose of the Winds, for 4 violins, 2 violas & 2 cellos | 13:04 min | Chamber Music | 1998 |
| 15 | Piano Sonata | 13:59 min | Keyboard | 1998 |
| 16 | The Horse with the Lavender Eye, episodes (4) for violin, clarinet & piano | 18:34 min | Chamber Music | 1997 |
| 17 | Sons of Noah: Three Lost Chapters of the Bible, for soprano, 4 flutes, 4 guitars & 4 bassoons | 29:56 min | Vocal Music | 1996 |
| 18 | The Ascent of the Equestrian in a Balloon, for orchestra | 10:50 min | Orchestral | 1995 |
| 19 | Wir Küssen Ihnen Tausendmal die Hände, for clarinet, horn, string trio & piano | 9:54 min | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| 20 | Night Rubrics, for cello | 15:31 min | Chamber Music | 1990 |
| 21 | Pacific Rim, for orchestra | 11:13 min | Orchestral | 1988 |
| 22 | The King of the Sun, for piano quartet | 19:57 min | Chamber Music | 1988 |
| 23 | Oh Them Rats Is Mean in My Kitchen for violin & piano | 15:21 min | Chamber Music | 1985 |
| 24 | Post-modern Homages, for piano in 2 sets | Keyboard | 1984 | |
| 25 | Sonata Variations, for violin & piano | 27:16 min | Chamber Music | 1984 |
| 26 | Alvorada: Three Madrigals, for string orchestra | 17:36 min | Orchestral | 1983 |
| 27 | Symphony No. 2 | 26:28 min | Symphony | - |
| 28 | Meanwhile, incidental music to imaginary puppet plays | 17:38 min | Orchestral | - |
| 29 | Concerto for violin & orchestra "Auld Swaara" | 28:30 min | Concerto | - |
| 30 | Caoine, for solo violin | 7:56 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 31 | Wulfstan at the Millennium, for 10 players | 28:38 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Stephen Hartke
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Xak Bjerken, Hartke, Ogonek, Jones – The Oberlin Concertos(CD, Album) | 2021 | Oberlin Music |
| 2 |  |
Stephen Hartke - Richard Faria, Ellen Jewett, Xak Bjerken, Los Angeles Piano Quartet – The Horse With The Lavender Eye (Piano And Chamber Music)(CD, Album) | 2009 | Chandos |
| 3 |  |
Stephen Hartke / Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, Robertson – The Greater Good, Or The Passion Of Boule de Suif(2×CD, Album) | 2007 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Tituli / Cathedral In The Thrashing Rain | 2003 | ECM Records |
| 5 |  |
Sons Of Noah; Wulfstan At The Millennium(CD, ) | 2003 | New World Records |
| 6 |  |
Stephen Hartke - Richard Stoltzman, The IRIS Chamber Orchestra, Michael Stern (3) – Clarinet Concerto • The Rose Of The Winds • Pacific Rim • Gradūs(CD, Album) | 2003 | Naxos |
| 7 |  |
Stephen Hartke — Riverside Symphony, George Rothman, Michelle Makarski – Concerto For Violin & Orchestra "Auld Swaara" • Symphony No. 2(CD, ) | 1998 | New World Records |
| 8 |  |
Stephen Hartke — Ronald Copes, Angela Schwartz, James Bonn, The Dunsmuir Piano Quartet – The King Of The Sun(CD, Compilation) | 1995 | New World Records |
| 9 |  |
Donald Crockett, Stephen Hartke, Libby Larsen, Rand Steiger, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – Für Wolfgang Amadeus (Tributes To Mozart)(CD, ) | 1994 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
| 10 |  |
Donald Crockett / Stephen Hartke - Jane Thorngren, James Furmston, James Smith (32) / Ronald Copes, Lisa Stidham – The Pensive Traveller / Occhi Dell' Alma Mia / Caoine / Iglesia Abandonada(LP) | 1984 | Orion |
| 11 |  |
Michelle Makarski / John Cage, John Harbison, Stephen Hartke, Yehudi Wyner – Works By Cage, Harbison, Hartke, Wyner(CD, Album) | - | New World Records |
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