Michael Abels
Encyclopedia
Michael Abels is an American
composer. Abels was born in Phoenix, Arizona
, and studied at the University of Southern California
. His best known work is Global Warming. Other works include the opera
Homies and Popz commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera
and premiered in 2000.
, where he lived with his grandparents. Introduced to music via the family piano, he began showing an innate curiosity towards music at age four. His music-loving grandparents convinced the local piano teacher to take him on as a student despite his age. Michael was a quick study, and began composing at age 8, having his first completed work performed at 13. “I was totally fascinated by how music works, what it does. The fact that you can put these notes together, and that they can stir up such emotions, has always been amazing to me.”
Upon graduating from high school, Abels left Phoenix for the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Being of mixed-race parents, Michael chose to live in LA to immerse himself in a multicultural urban environment. He eventually studied African drumming techniques, and joined a Baptist Church to further explore his African-American roots.
artist Rev. James Cleveland
asked him to do some arrangements for an upcoming recording. Soon thereafter, he was commissioned by the Phoenix Symphony
to write arrangements for a collaborative event with a local Baptist choir. This commission led to many subsequent arrangements for gospel choir and orchestra. Of these pieces Abels said, “They offer a really great cross-cultural experience. There is no more enthusiastic a group than a black church choir. For an orchestra to share that energy, and vice versa, brings them all to another world.”
During the Phoenix engagement, Abels conceived of his most successful piece to date, Global Warming (1991). His description of how the piece came about is as follows:
"Global Warming was written around the time of the collapse of the Berlin Wall
, when the Cold War
was ending. Living in Los Angeles, I've been able to learn about music from around the world simply by opening the window; among my neighbors are immigrants
from every corner of the world. I was intrigued by the similarities between folk music
of divergent cultures, and decided to write a piece that celebrates these common threads as well as the sudden improvement in international relations
that was occurring. Since the piece was commissioned for an orchestra in the desert city of Phoenix, AZ, "global warming" was the title that seemed to incorporate all these ideas best."
This genre-crossing work has had over 100 performances by many of today’s leading orchestras, solidifying its place in the repertoire. With elements from Irish and Arabic folk music, Global Warming embodies Mr. Abels’ multicultural leanings. “I’m influenced by many styles of music, so I can’t help but explore that in my own work. However, I have a definite artistic voice that is my own perspective on the world, a prism through which my ideas are reflected.”
Frederick’s Fables (1994) Scored for narrator and orchestra, Fables is based on a collection of children’s stories by Leo Lionni
. During its premiere performances by Phillip Brunelle and the Plymouth Music Series of MN, narrated by both Garrison Keillor
and James Earl Jones
, “The charm of [Frederick’s Fables]... carried the day. The score was painted in broad strokes, underlining the narration but not detailing every point. Abels’ deft orchestration matched each change of mood and [the] spoken words carried clearly..." (St. Paul Pioneer Press).
Also receiving much acclaim is Abels’ homage to black civil rights
leader Martin Luther King
called Dance for Martin’s Dream (1997). After an elegiac opening section, the piece bristles with celebratory dance rhythms throughout. The work offers an array of styles, from bluegrass mountain music to the vocalized “beat-boxing” technique found in hip-hop (used as an evocation of the chanted slogans of civil rights rallies). Dance for Martin's Dream expresses “the unbelievable positive difference [King’s] courage and the courage of those who marched with him has made.” (from the composer’s website)
Mr. Abels has been the recipient of two Meet The Composer grants, both of which support the creation of new work with an educational slant. The first, a three-year New Residencies grant, took place at the Watts Tower
Arts Center in South Los Angeles
. During his time there, he composed music for several world-premiere plays for the community-oriented Cornerstone Theater, and a work for the USC Percussion Ensemble, which was premiered at the Watts Towers’ annual Day of the Drum Festival.
Also during his Watts residency, Mr. Abels began a mentoring program for disadvantaged youths in music technology and production techniques. Students learn how to operate samplers
, MIDI devices, and drum machine
s; tools used to create much of today’s popular music
. As the students sample old vinyl records from their parents’ unused collections, they come up against basic musical ideas such as phrasing, tempo
, and key
. Abels capitalizes on these moments, finding this a relevant approach to teaching music appreciation. “The traditional method is backwards: usually students are taught how to listen to music they wouldn’t otherwise like. Film classes, on the other hand, generally start with works that are already familiar to encourage critical thinking about film as an art. With this knowledge, they then can appreciate silent films and Citizen Kane
. Music appreciation should start by simply spinning the radio dial, and then relate that back to Mozart
.”
His second Meet The Composer residency began this month in Richmond, Virginia
. He’ll be working with the Richmond Symphony and its youth orchestra as part of MTC’s Music Alive program, co-sponsored the American Symphony Orchestra League. During his first visit, he worked with The Richmond Symphony as they prepared for a “side-by-side” performance of Global Warming with members of the youth orchestra. Abels also began mentoring several youth orchestra members in composing their own orchestral music for a reading by the Richmond Symphony
. The residency was originally scheduled for October of last year, but the tragic events of 9/11
forced them to postpone until now. In light of this, the orchestra will be performing his recent work reflecting on those events, Tribute (2001), which was commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Other current activities include work on a new piece for orchestra called River of Jewels. Abels is exploring some of the interesting ideas raised by the sampling methods of his music technology students. He generates original materials, and then “samples” himself in various ways. And finally, Cedille Records
has a fall ’02 release planned for the premiere recording of Global Warming, performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta. The work is part of a compilation of music by African-American composers titled African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. III.*
In 2004, Abels composed and arranged a music score based on operatic themes of Giuseppe Verdi
, for Yo, Sam, a hip-hop song about the Watts Towers
. The song appears on the sound track of I Build the Tower
, a documentary feature film on the life of the Towers' creator, Simon Rodia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer. Abels was born in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, and studied at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. His best known work is Global Warming. Other works include the opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
Homies and Popz commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera
Los Angeles Opera
The Los Angeles Opera is an opera company in Los Angeles, California. It is the fourth largest opera company in the United States. The company's home base is the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, part of the Los Angeles Music Center.-Current leadership:...
and premiered in 2000.
Early life
Abels early years were spent on a small farm in South DakotaSouth Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, where he lived with his grandparents. Introduced to music via the family piano, he began showing an innate curiosity towards music at age four. His music-loving grandparents convinced the local piano teacher to take him on as a student despite his age. Michael was a quick study, and began composing at age 8, having his first completed work performed at 13. “I was totally fascinated by how music works, what it does. The fact that you can put these notes together, and that they can stir up such emotions, has always been amazing to me.”
Upon graduating from high school, Abels left Phoenix for the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Being of mixed-race parents, Michael chose to live in LA to immerse himself in a multicultural urban environment. He eventually studied African drumming techniques, and joined a Baptist Church to further explore his African-American roots.
Career
The renowned gospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
artist Rev. James Cleveland
James Cleveland
The Reverend Dr. James Cleveland was a gospel singer, arranger, composer and, most significantly, the driving force behind the creation of the modern gospel sound, bringing the stylistic daring of hard gospel and jazz and pop music influences to arrangements for mass choirs...
asked him to do some arrangements for an upcoming recording. Soon thereafter, he was commissioned by the Phoenix Symphony
Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is a major United States symphony orchestra based in Phoenix, Arizona.Founded in 1947 when Phoenix had a population of less than 100,000, the orchestra began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year...
to write arrangements for a collaborative event with a local Baptist choir. This commission led to many subsequent arrangements for gospel choir and orchestra. Of these pieces Abels said, “They offer a really great cross-cultural experience. There is no more enthusiastic a group than a black church choir. For an orchestra to share that energy, and vice versa, brings them all to another world.”
During the Phoenix engagement, Abels conceived of his most successful piece to date, Global Warming (1991). His description of how the piece came about is as follows:
"Global Warming was written around the time of the collapse of the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
, when the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
was ending. Living in Los Angeles, I've been able to learn about music from around the world simply by opening the window; among my neighbors are immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
from every corner of the world. I was intrigued by the similarities between folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
of divergent cultures, and decided to write a piece that celebrates these common threads as well as the sudden improvement in international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
that was occurring. Since the piece was commissioned for an orchestra in the desert city of Phoenix, AZ, "global warming" was the title that seemed to incorporate all these ideas best."
This genre-crossing work has had over 100 performances by many of today’s leading orchestras, solidifying its place in the repertoire. With elements from Irish and Arabic folk music, Global Warming embodies Mr. Abels’ multicultural leanings. “I’m influenced by many styles of music, so I can’t help but explore that in my own work. However, I have a definite artistic voice that is my own perspective on the world, a prism through which my ideas are reflected.”
Frederick’s Fables (1994) Scored for narrator and orchestra, Fables is based on a collection of children’s stories by Leo Lionni
Leo Lionni
Leo Lionni was an author and illustrator of children's books. Born in Holland, he moved to Italy and lived there before moving to the United States in 1939, where he worked as an art director for several advertising agencies, and then for Fortune magazine. He returned to Italy in 1962 and started...
. During its premiere performances by Phillip Brunelle and the Plymouth Music Series of MN, narrated by both Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio personality. He is known as host of the Minnesota Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor (born August 7, 1942) is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio...
and James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones is an American actor. He is well-known for his distinctive bass voice and for his portrayal of characters of substance, gravitas and leadership...
, “The charm of [Frederick’s Fables]... carried the day. The score was painted in broad strokes, underlining the narration but not detailing every point. Abels’ deft orchestration matched each change of mood and [the] spoken words carried clearly..." (St. Paul Pioneer Press).
Also receiving much acclaim is Abels’ homage to black civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
leader Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
called Dance for Martin’s Dream (1997). After an elegiac opening section, the piece bristles with celebratory dance rhythms throughout. The work offers an array of styles, from bluegrass mountain music to the vocalized “beat-boxing” technique found in hip-hop (used as an evocation of the chanted slogans of civil rights rallies). Dance for Martin's Dream expresses “the unbelievable positive difference [King’s] courage and the courage of those who marched with him has made.” (from the composer’s website)
Mr. Abels has been the recipient of two Meet The Composer grants, both of which support the creation of new work with an educational slant. The first, a three-year New Residencies grant, took place at the Watts Tower
Watts Towers
The Watts Towers or Towers of Simon Rodia in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California, is a collection of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet . The Towers were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato Rodia in his spare time over a period of...
Arts Center in South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles
South Los Angeles, often abbreviated as South L.A. and formerly South Central Los Angeles, is the official name for a large geographic and cultural portion lying to the southwest and southeast of downtown Los Angeles, California. The area was formerly called South Central, and is still widely known...
. During his time there, he composed music for several world-premiere plays for the community-oriented Cornerstone Theater, and a work for the USC Percussion Ensemble, which was premiered at the Watts Towers’ annual Day of the Drum Festival.
Also during his Watts residency, Mr. Abels began a mentoring program for disadvantaged youths in music technology and production techniques. Students learn how to operate samplers
Sampler (musical instrument)
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
, MIDI devices, and drum machine
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
s; tools used to create much of today’s popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
. As the students sample old vinyl records from their parents’ unused collections, they come up against basic musical ideas such as phrasing, tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
, and key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
. Abels capitalizes on these moments, finding this a relevant approach to teaching music appreciation. “The traditional method is backwards: usually students are taught how to listen to music they wouldn’t otherwise like. Film classes, on the other hand, generally start with works that are already familiar to encourage critical thinking about film as an art. With this knowledge, they then can appreciate silent films and Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, directed by and starring Orson Welles. Many critics consider it the greatest American film of all time, especially for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure. Citizen Kane was Welles' first feature film...
. Music appreciation should start by simply spinning the radio dial, and then relate that back to Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
.”
His second Meet The Composer residency began this month in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. He’ll be working with the Richmond Symphony and its youth orchestra as part of MTC’s Music Alive program, co-sponsored the American Symphony Orchestra League. During his first visit, he worked with The Richmond Symphony as they prepared for a “side-by-side” performance of Global Warming with members of the youth orchestra. Abels also began mentoring several youth orchestra members in composing their own orchestral music for a reading by the Richmond Symphony
Richmond Symphony Orchestra
The Richmond Symphony is based in Richmond, Virginia. One of the nation's leading regional orchestras, it employs 72-85 musicians who give over 100 performances each season to over 125,000 audience members. Its music director is Steven Smith; its associate conductor is Dr. Erin Freeman...
. The residency was originally scheduled for October of last year, but the tragic events of 9/11
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
forced them to postpone until now. In light of this, the orchestra will be performing his recent work reflecting on those events, Tribute (2001), which was commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Other current activities include work on a new piece for orchestra called River of Jewels. Abels is exploring some of the interesting ideas raised by the sampling methods of his music technology students. He generates original materials, and then “samples” himself in various ways. And finally, Cedille Records
Cedille Records
#REDIRECTCedille Records is the independent record label of TheChicago Classical Recording Foundation.-Company History:In 1989, James Ginsburg founded Cedille Records, as a...
has a fall ’02 release planned for the premiere recording of Global Warming, performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta. The work is part of a compilation of music by African-American composers titled African Heritage Symphonic Series, Vol. III.*
In 2004, Abels composed and arranged a music score based on operatic themes of Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
, for Yo, Sam, a hip-hop song about the Watts Towers
Watts Towers
The Watts Towers or Towers of Simon Rodia in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California, is a collection of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet . The Towers were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato Rodia in his spare time over a period of...
. The song appears on the sound track of I Build the Tower
I Build the Tower
I Build the Tower is a feature-length documentary film depicting the life of Sabato Rodia , the Italian immigrant who created the Watts Towers in South Los Angeles....
, a documentary feature film on the life of the Towers' creator, Simon Rodia
Simon Rodia
Sabato "Simon" Rodia was an Italian-American architect. Rodia created the Watts Towers, one of the most famous landmarks in Los Angeles.-Biography:...
.