Avner Dorman
Encyclopedia
Avner Dorman is an Israeli born composer
of contemporary classical music.
where he studied as a C.V. Starr fellow with John Corigliano
. He completed his Master’s degree at Tel Aviv University
(where he majored in music
, musicology
, and physics
) studying with former Soviet composer Josef Bardanashvili.
At age 25, Avner Dorman became the youngest composer to ever win Israel's prestigious Prime-Minister's award. Since, he has been awarded the "ACUM" prize from the Israeli performing rights society for his Ellef Symphony.Ma’ariv, the second largest newspaper in Israel, named Dorman “Composer of the Year” for 2002, and the performance of his song cycle Boaz received the Israeli Cultural Ministry Prize for best performance of Israeli music the same year. Dorman’s Variations Without a Theme, premiered by Zubin Mehta
and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
in November 2003, won the 2004 Best Composition of the Year award from ACUM. This piece led to a commission from Zubin Mehta
, PercaDu, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
for Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!, a concerto for percussion duo and orchestra. Avner Dorman's music is published by G. Schirmer
Prominent orchestras that have performed Avner Dorman's music include the New York Philharmonic Orchestra the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony
, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
.
In 2006 Naxos Records
released an album dedicated to Avner Dorman's piano works with Eliran Avni
at
the piano to critical acclaim. Ken Smith of the Gramophone Magazine wrote that “Dorman is not just a fresh, young voice, worth following.
He’s also a composer whose music, particularly as rendered here by pianist Eliran Avni (for whom several of these works were written), fits well on the instrument and resonates strongly with the musical tradition at large.” In 2010 Naxos Records
release an album dedicated to Avner Dorman's chamber orchestra concerti. Avi Avital's performance of Dorman's Mandolin Concerto on this recording was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award
in the category of Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra.
Dorman is a Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation
(IcExcellence) chosen artist since 2008, which is one of Israel's highest recognition for excellence in the arts.
He is currently a professor of theory and composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.
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...
of contemporary classical music.
Biography
Avner Dorman holds a Doctorate in Music Composition 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...
where he studied as a C.V. Starr fellow with John Corigliano
John Corigliano
John Corigliano is an American composer of classical music and a teacher of music. He is a distinguished professor of music at Lehman College in the City University of New York.-Biography:...
. He completed his Master’s degree at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
(where he majored in music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, musicology
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
, and physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
) studying with former Soviet composer Josef Bardanashvili.
At age 25, Avner Dorman became the youngest composer to ever win Israel's prestigious Prime-Minister's award. Since, he has been awarded the "ACUM" prize from the Israeli performing rights society for his Ellef Symphony.Ma’ariv, the second largest newspaper in Israel, named Dorman “Composer of the Year” for 2002, and the performance of his song cycle Boaz received the Israeli Cultural Ministry Prize for best performance of Israeli music the same year. Dorman’s Variations Without a Theme, premiered by Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
in November 2003, won the 2004 Best Composition of the Year award from ACUM. This piece led to a commission from Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta
Zubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
, PercaDu, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
for Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!, a concerto for percussion duo and orchestra. Avner Dorman's music is published by G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer
G. Schirmer Inc. is an American classical music publishing company based in New York City, founded in 1861. It publishes sheet music for sale and rental, and represents some well-known European music publishers in North America, such as the Italian Ricordi, Music Sales Affiliates ChesterNovello,...
Prominent orchestras that have performed Avner Dorman's music include the New York Philharmonic Orchestra the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony
San Francisco Symphony
The San Francisco Symphony is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has performed at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization...
, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
The Münchner Philharmoniker is a German symphony orchestra located in the city of Munich. It is one of Munich's three principal orchestras, along with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian State Orchestra...
, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra is the orchestra of the Austrian national broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk . Founded in 1969 with the name of the ORF-Symphonieorchester , it is the only radio orchestra in the country...
.
In 2006 Naxos Records
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
released an album dedicated to Avner Dorman's piano works with Eliran Avni
Eliran Avni
-Biography:Born in Israel in 1975, Eliran Avni studied at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music with Marina Bondarenko. He received both his BM and MM degrees studying with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Juilliard School. Currently, he is working on his Doctorate dissertation with Carl Schachter.At the age...
at
the piano to critical acclaim. Ken Smith of the Gramophone Magazine wrote that “Dorman is not just a fresh, young voice, worth following.
He’s also a composer whose music, particularly as rendered here by pianist Eliran Avni (for whom several of these works were written), fits well on the instrument and resonates strongly with the musical tradition at large.” In 2010 Naxos Records
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
release an album dedicated to Avner Dorman's chamber orchestra concerti. Avi Avital's performance of Dorman's Mandolin Concerto on this recording was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the category of Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra.
Dorman is a Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation
Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation
The Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation is a private cultural foundation which aims to identify, nurture, and support Israel's most outstanding artists....
(IcExcellence) chosen artist since 2008, which is one of Israel's highest recognition for excellence in the arts.
He is currently a professor of theory and composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.
Works for Symphonic Orchestra
- Astrolatry (2011, Commissioned and premiered by the Alabama Symphony OrchestraAlabama Symphony Orchestra- 1921-1955: Beginnings :The Alabama Symphony Orchestra can trace its beginnings to 1921, when on Friday, April 29, fifty-two volunteer musicians joined to perform at the Birmingham Music Festival at the Old Jefferson Theater...
, led by music director Justin Brown) - (not) The Shadow (2010, a Magnum Opus commission, premiered by Marin Symphony conducted by Alasdair Neale)
- Azerbaijani Dance (2010, premiered by the Israel Philharmonic OrchestraIsrael Philharmonic OrchestraThe Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
conducted by Zubin MehtaZubin MehtaZubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
) - Uriah (2008-9, commissioned and premiered by the San Francisco SymphonySan Francisco SymphonyThe San Francisco Symphony is an orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980, the orchestra has performed at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. The San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are part of the organization...
conducted by David Robertson) - Lost Souls, a Piano Concerto (2009, premiered by Alon GoldsteinAlon GoldsteinAlon Goldstein is an Israeli classical pianist.-Biography:Alon Goldstein is one of the most original and sensitive artists of his generation, admired for his musical intelligence and dynamic personality. Alon’s artistic vision and innovative programming have made him a favorite with audiences and...
and the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Michael SternMichael SternMichael Charles Stern is a British Conservative Party politician. Stern contested Derby South at the 1979 general election before being elected as Member of Parliament for Bristol North West at the 1983 general election. He represented the seat for 14 years...
) - Violin Concerto (2006, premiered by Ittai Shappira and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra)
- Variations Without A Theme (2003, premiered by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta)
- Ellef Symphony (2000)
- Chorale for Strings (1999)
Concertos for Chamber Orchestra
- Mandolin Concerto (2006)
- Concerto Grosso (2003)
- Concerto in A (1995)
- Piccolo Concerto (2001)
- Saxophone Concerto (2003, Premiered by Joshua RedmanJoshua RedmanJoshua Redman is an American jazz saxophonist and composer who records for Nonesuch Records. He won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991.-Biography:...
and the Alabama Symphony OrchestraAlabama Symphony Orchestra- 1921-1955: Beginnings :The Alabama Symphony Orchestra can trace its beginnings to 1921, when on Friday, April 29, fifty-two volunteer musicians joined to perform at the Birmingham Music Festival at the Old Jefferson Theater...
conducted by Justin Brown)
Music for Film and Dance
- Impact (2006)
- "Falafel" (2001)
- Accord/Discord (1999)
- Ben (1997)
Chamber Music
- Memory Games (2011, commissioned by Hilary HahnHilary HahnHilary Hahn is an American violinist.Hahn was born in Lexington, Virginia. Beginning her studies when she was three years old at Baltimore's Peabody Institute, she was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia at age ten, and in 1991, made her major orchestral debut with the...
) - Niggunim, Sonata no.3 for Violin and Piano (2011, co-commissioned and premiered by Gil ShahamGil Shaham-Biography:Gil Shaham was born in Urbana, Illinois, while his parents, Israeli scientists, were on an academic fellowship at the University of Illinois. His father Jacob was an astrophysicist, and his mother, Meira Diskin, was a cytogeneticist. His sister is the pianist Orli Shaham. He is a...
and Orli ShahamOrli ShahamOrli Shaham is an American pianist, born in Jerusalem, Israel, the daughter of two scientists, Jacob Shaham and Meira Diskin. Her brother is the violinist Gil Shaham. She is a graduate of the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, New York, and of Columbia University...
at the 92 Street Y) - Prayer for the Innocents for two string quartets (2009, commissioned by Keshet Eilon Masterclasses)
- Sonata No.2 for Violin and Piano (2008, commissioned and premiered by Sayaka ShojiSayaka Shojiis a Japanese classical violinist. She is the first Japanese and youngest winner at the Paganini Competition in Genoa in 1999.She was born into an artistic family and spent her childhood in Siena, Italy. She studied at Hochschule für Musik Köln under Zakhar Bron and graduated in 2004...
) - Jerusalem Mix (2007 commissioned by the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival and the Chicago Chamber Musicians)
- String Quartet No.2 (2004)
- Sonata No.1 for Violin and Piano (2004)
- String Quartet No.1 (2003)
- Trio (2001)
- Tree-yO! (1996)
Piano Solo
- Libi Bamizrach - Piano Sonata No.4 (2011)
- For Jenny (2008)
- Nocturne Insomniaque (2007, commissioned and premiered by Inon Barnatan)
- Azerbaijani Dance (2005)
- Sonata No.3 / Dance Suite (2005)
- Moments Musicaux (2003)
- Piano Sonata No.2 (2000)
- Piano Sonata No.1 (1999)
- Prelude No.1 (1992)
Concertos for Percussion
- Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! (2006 premiered April 2,4,6 2006 by PercaDu and the Israel Philharmonic OrchestraIsrael Philharmonic OrchestraThe Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Israel. It was originally known as the Palestine Orchestra, and in Hebrew as התזמורת הסימפונית הארץ ישראלית The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (abbreviation IPO; Hebrew: התזמורת הפילהרמונית הישראלית, ha-Tizmoret ha-Filharmonit...
conducted by Zubin MehtaZubin MehtaZubin Mehta is an Indian conductor of western classical music. He is the Music Director for Life of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.-Biography:...
) - "Frozen in Time" (2007 premiered December 2,3 2007 by Martin Grubinger and the Hamburg PhilharmonicPhilharmoniker HamburgThe Philharmoniker Hamburg is a German symphony orchestra based in Hamburg. Its current Music Director is GMD Simone Young. It is also the orchestra of the Hamburg State Opera....
conducted by Simone YoungSimone YoungSimone Margaret Young AM is an Australian conductor. She is music director of the Hamburg Philharmonic and general manager of the Hamburg State Opera...
)
Vocal
- Psalm 67 (2004)
- Boaz (2002)
- The fear of men (2006), after two poems by Ronen Altman KaydarRonen Altman KaydarRonen Elimelech Altman Kaydar is an Israeli writer and poet.The topics of his academic and artistic writing include science fiction, sexual identity, philosophy of science, history of science and more...