Maurice Peress
Encyclopedia
Maurice Peress is an American orchestra conductor, educator and author. After serving as assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic
under Leonard Bernstein
beginning in 1961, Peress went on to stand as leader of the orchestra in Corpus Christi, Texas
in 1962. In 1970, he also became leader for two years of the Austin Symphony Orchestra
. In 1974, he left Texas to take over the Kansas City
Philharmonic, where he remained until 1980. He has also extensively conducted orchestras internationally, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
in 1980, the Vienna State Opera
in 1981, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra of Rome
in 1988, the Brno Orkester of the Czech Republic
in 1997, the FOK Orkester at the Prague Spring Festival in 1988, the Shanghai Radio and Television Orchestra in 1996-1997, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
in 1998, and the Barbican Centre
Orchestra in London in 1999. In the 2000s, he has toured extensively in China
, leading the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, the China National Symphony in Beijing
and the Shenzhen Symphony.
In 1984, he became a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music
. Though he has himself a Bachelor of Arts
degree from New York University
, he established a Master of Arts
degree in conducting there.
He is the author of Dvorak to Duke Ellington: A Conductor Explores America's Music and Its African American Roots, published in 2004 by Oxford University Press
. Peress worked with Ellington
in revising the ending of Ellington's "Black, Brown and Beige", which revised composition he debuted with the American Jazz Orchestra in 1988.
As of 2009 he is the music director and conductor of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra in New Britain, Connecticut.
He has three children, all in the arts: Theatrical Director - Lorca Peress, Drummer/Composer - Paul Peress
, and Singer/Songwriter - Anika Paris (née Peress).
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
under Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
beginning in 1961, Peress went on to stand as leader of the orchestra in Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
in 1962. In 1970, he also became leader for two years of the Austin Symphony Orchestra
Austin Symphony Orchestra
The Austin Symphony Orchestra is the oldest performing group in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1911, and is celebrating its centenary year in 2011....
. In 1974, he left Texas to take over the Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
Philharmonic, where he remained until 1980. He has also extensively conducted orchestras internationally, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra , is the largest symphony orchestra in Hong Kong. First established in 1895 as an amateur orchestra, under the name Sino-British Orchestra, it was renamed the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 1957, and became a professional orchestra in 1974 under the funding...
in 1980, the Vienna State Opera
Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is an opera house – and opera company – with a history dating back to the mid-19th century. It is located in the centre of Vienna, Austria. It was originally called the Vienna Court Opera . In 1920, with the replacement of the Habsburg Monarchy by the First Austrian...
in 1981, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1988, the Brno Orkester of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
in 1997, the FOK Orkester at the Prague Spring Festival in 1988, the Shanghai Radio and Television Orchestra in 1996-1997, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Melbourne, Australia. It has 100 permanent musicians. Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia...
in 1998, and the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
Orchestra in London in 1999. In the 2000s, he has toured extensively in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, leading the Shanghai Opera Orchestra, the China National Symphony in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
and the Shenzhen Symphony.
In 1984, he became a professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music
Aaron Copland School of Music
The Aaron Copland School of Music is one of the oldest and most distinguished departments at Queens College, founded when the College opened in 1937....
. Though he has himself a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, he established a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in conducting there.
He is the author of Dvorak to Duke Ellington: A Conductor Explores America's Music and Its African American Roots, published in 2004 by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
. Peress worked with Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
in revising the ending of Ellington's "Black, Brown and Beige", which revised composition he debuted with the American Jazz Orchestra in 1988.
As of 2009 he is the music director and conductor of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra in New Britain, Connecticut.
He has three children, all in the arts: Theatrical Director - Lorca Peress, Drummer/Composer - Paul Peress
Paul Peress
Paul Peress is an American drummer, composer and producer, based in New York City.-Background:Paul Peress grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and also lived in Kansas City, Missouri for his last 2 years of high school.He has a B.A...
, and Singer/Songwriter - Anika Paris (née Peress).
Sources
- Maurice Peress, Professor, Aaron Copland School of Music.