Kessner, Daniel (Aaron)

Kessner, Daniel (Aaron), American composer, conductor, flutist, and teacher; b. Los Angeles, June 3, 1946. He studied composition with Lazarof at the Univ. of Calif, in Los Angeles (B.A., 1967; M.A., 1968; Ph.D., 1971). In 1970 he joined the faculty of the Calif. State Univ. in Northridge, where became a prof, in 1980. He also serves as coordinator of composition/theory, and as director of its Discovery Players (formerly New Music Ensemble). In 1970 and 1971 he received BMI prizes. He won the Queen Marie- José International Composition Prize in Geneva in 1972. Kessner has received grants from the NEA (1974, 1977), American Music Center (1981), and Arts International (1996).

Works

dramatic:The Telltale Heart, monodrama for Tenor and Chamber Orch. (1975–78); The Masque of the Red Death, tale in music, dance, and light for Dancer, Conductor, and 7 Players (1979); Texts for Nothing, musical-literary-theatrical stream for Soprano, Flute, Trombone, Viola, Cello, and Conductor (1980–82). orch.:Strata (1971); Mobile (1973); Romance: Orchestral Prelude No. 1 (1979) and Raging: Orchestral Prelude No. 2 (1981); Piano Concerto (1984–86); Breath for Cello and Orch. (1991); Lyric Piece for Piano and Orch. (1994); Icoane Românesti (Images of Romania) for Orch. and Narration (1996); Celebrations for Flute and Orch. (1998). Symphonic Band: Wind Sculptures (1973); Variations (1977); Sky Caves (1984–85); Symphonic Mobile II (1996); Balkan Dance (1999). chamber:Equali I for 4 Flutes, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1968–69), 77 for Piano or Celesta and 3 Percussionists (1970), 777 (Nebulae) for String Trio, 2 Guitars, and Harpsichord (1972), IV for Brass Quintet (1977), V for 6 Horns (1977–82), and VI for Marimba Ensemble (1978); 7 chamber concertos: No. 1 for Recorder, High Voice, Oboe, String Quartet, Piano, and Percussion (1972), No. 2 for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble (1978), No. 3 for Piano, Alto Flute, English Horn, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, and String Quintet (1980; also for String Orch.), No. 4 for Woodwind Quartet and String Quintet (1989), No. 5 for Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, and String Quintet (1992), No. 6 for Flute/Alto Flute, English Horn, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1994-95; also for Percussion, Harp, and Piano), and No. 7 for 2 Trumpets, 3 Horns, Trombone, Bass Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba (1997); Array, pieces for 2, 3, and 4 Guitars (1973); 6 Aphorisms for Clarinet and Guitar (1975); Trio for Violin, Guitar, and Cello (1976); The Bells of Poe for Percussion Quartet (1978); Ancient Song for Alto Recorder, Viola, and Prepared Guitar (1980); Continuum for Marimba (1981–82); Arabesque for Alto Saxophone and Vibraphone (1983); Incantations for Trombone and Percussion (1984); Circle Music I for Piano and Solo Instrument (1985) and II for Flute and Guitar (1985); Intersonata for Guitar (1987); 2 Old English Songs for Soprano, Flute, Viola, and Guitar (1988); Droning for Clarinet and Viola (1988); String Quartet (1990); Studies in Melodic Expression for Various Solo Instruments (1990–91); 2 Visions for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, and Piano (1991); Lament for Clarinet and Tape (1991–92); One Voice, Alone for Flute, English Horn, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon (1993); Shades of Pastel for Alto Flute and Prepared Guitar (1993); Simple Motion for Alto Flute and Piano (1993); Dueling for Viola and Cello (1993); Symphonic Mobile I for 9 Flutes (1995); Cantiones Duarum Vocum for 2 Instruments of Similar Register (1996); Divertimento for Flute, Alto Flute, Vibes, and Piano (1997); Tous les matins …for Bass Flute (1997); Dances for Clarinet and Guitar (1997); Sonata for 4 Timpani (1999). vocal:Madrigals for Chorus and Organ (1970; also for Chorus, Winds, and Brass, 1972); Ritual Music for Chamber Chorus and Percussion (1974); Alea-luia for Chorus (1978); Tre Solfeggi per Coro for Chorus (1990).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire