Rand Steiger
Encyclopedia
Rand Steiger is an American composer, conductor, and pedagogue.
Steiger became a faculty member at the California Institute of the Arts
in 1982, remaining there until 1987. Following this he joined the faculty of the University of California San Diego; as of 2006 he is the chair of the school's music department.
As a composer, Steiger first won notice in the 1980s for his work Quintessence. He was a fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
from 1987 to 1989, and has had compositions recorded by contemporary classical music
ensembles recording for Centaur
, CRI, Crystal
, New Albion, and New World
. His work often features elements of computer music
and digital manipulation alongside traditional orchestral forces.
Steiger was the founding artistic director and a member of the California EAR Unit. He has also conducted contemporary ensembles such as the Arditti Quartet
, Ensemble Sospeso, La Jolla Symphony, and the New York New Music Ensemble
, and has conducted recordings on Einstein, Koch
, Mode
and Nonesuch
.
In 2010 Steiger released a CD/DVD entitled Ecosphere.
Steiger became a faculty member at the California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
in 1982, remaining there until 1987. Following this he joined the faculty of the University of California San Diego; as of 2006 he is the chair of the school's music department.
As a composer, Steiger first won notice in the 1980s for his work Quintessence. He was a fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September...
from 1987 to 1989, and has had compositions recorded by contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
ensembles recording for Centaur
Centaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded in 1976. Their recordings are available in major markets throughout the world, and their catalog includes classical, historical, pops,...
, CRI, Crystal
Crystal Records
Crystal Records, Inc. is an American producer and distributor of classical chamber and solo music recordings. The company was founded in 1966 by Peter George Christ and is incorporated in the state of Washington....
, New Albion, and New World
New World Records
New World Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in American music. The label was established in 1975 through a Rockefeller Foundation grant to produce a 100 disc anthology covering 200 years of American music....
. His work often features elements of computer music
Computer music
Computer music is a term that was originally used within academia to describe a field of study relating to the applications of computing technology in music composition; particularly that stemming from the Western art music tradition...
and digital manipulation alongside traditional orchestral forces.
Steiger was the founding artistic director and a member of the California EAR Unit. He has also conducted contemporary ensembles such as the Arditti Quartet
Arditti Quartet
The Arditti Quartet is a string quartet founded in 1974. The quartet is associated particularly with contemporary music.-Early history:The quartet was founded in 1974 by violinist Irvine Arditti together with John Senter, Levine Andrade and Lenox Mackenzie...
, Ensemble Sospeso, La Jolla Symphony, and the New York New Music Ensemble
New York New Music Ensemble
The New York New Music Ensemble is a contemporary "Pierrot ensemble" chamber music group. The group formed in 1975 by Robert Block.Current members include: flutist Jayn Rosenfeld, clarinetist Jean Kopperud, violinist Linda Quan, cellist Chris Finckel, pianist Stephen Gosling and percussionist...
, and has conducted recordings on Einstein, Koch
Koch Records
E1 Music , the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal...
, Mode
Mode Records
Mode Records is an AmericaContemporary classical music|n record label based in New York City, New York, whose primary focus is modern classical, avant-garde, and new music. Composers featured include John Cage, Morton Feldman, Iannis Xenakis, and Harry Partch. Performers include Aki Takahashi,...
and Nonesuch
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed by Warner Bros. Records.-Company history:Nonesuch was founded in 1964 by Jac Holzman to produce "fine records at the same price as a trade paperback", which would be half the price of a normal LP...
.
In 2010 Steiger released a CD/DVD entitled Ecosphere.
Further reading
- Rand Steiger at the UCSD Department of Music homepage