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Jonathan Cole |
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| GRAHAM FITKIN Biography Works |
Graham Fitkin was born in Cornwall in 1963. He studied at Nottingham University with Peter Nelson and Nigel Osborne. After completing his studies at Nottingham, Graham travelled to the Netherlands to study with Louis Andriessen at Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague. Composing for solo or multiple pianos has been central to his work. He founded the four-pianist group “Nanquidno”, and there followed commissions for Piano Circus and soloist Kathryn Stott. Twenty-seven piano solos in the catalogue are frequently performed by Fitkin himself.A “Composer for Dance Award” in 1990 led to a new work for David Massingham Dance. Ever since then Fitkin’s music has been in demand by choreographers around the world with recent performances being given by Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, Wayne MacGregor’s Random Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Munich Ballet and the National Ballet of Portugal. Firtkin won the International Grand Prix Music for Dance Video Award in 1994. Known particularly for his ensemble writing, Fitkin has collaborated with many of today’s performers of new music including the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Smith Quartet, Ensemble Bash, Loeki Stardust Recorder Quartet, as well as the London Chamber Orchestra and Nederlands Blazers Ensemble. Graham was composer in association with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra between 1994-96 and wrote 5 orchestral works in this period. Since then several new works have been commissioned and composed for orchestra, and performances include those by the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, English Northern Philharmonia, East of England, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Bournemouth Symphony, Ulster, Netherlands Radio Orchestra, and ?ster Festival (Switzerland). Fitkin’s commitment to education work has been proved over the years. A PRS Composer in Education for 3 residencies, he has also lectured, given master classes and led workshops all over the UK as well as in Italy, Ireland, USA, Japan and South Africa. Graham’s Double Concerto for two Pianos and Orchestra – “CIRCUIT” – was given its world premiere at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. It was a BBC commission and performed by soloists Kathryn Stott and Noriko Ogawa with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Graham’s project for harps and electronics - STILL WARM – is being toured through 2007 (free download from www.fitkinwall.com) and will be released as an album at the end of the year. Present commissions include a new multi media work in collaboration with Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance and The Wilson Twins for The Eden Project, a new ensemble work with Tim Garland and John Patitucci, piano quartet for The Schubert Ensemble and a new work for Combustion Chamber Orchestra in Holland. Future Recordings CIRCUIT –two piano concerto - to be recorded by BIS in 2007 with Kathryn Stott, Noriko Ogawa and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra PIANO SOLOS (including CARNAL, H1-6, FRANK) - to be recorded by BIS in 2007 – Noriko Ogawa STILL WARM – new work for multiple harps – to be recorded by GFG in 2006 – Ruth Wall PASSING – tenor saxophone and electronics – to be released autumn 06 – Andy Scott GLASS – saxophone and piano – release date 2007 – Lara James |