Liebermann, Lowell

Liebermann, Lowell, American composer, pianist, and conductor; b. N.Y., Feb. 22, 1961. He began piano lessons at the age of 8, becoming a student of Ada Sohn Segal by age 11; at 14, began piano and composition lessons with Ruth Schonthal. In 1977 he made his debut at N.Y.’s Carnegie Recital Hall. In 1978 he commenced private composition lessons with Diamond, who continued as his mentor at the Juilliard School in N.Y. from 1979; also studied there with Lateiner (piano), Halasz (conducting), and Persichetti (composition), taking a B.Mus. (1982), a M.Mus. (1984), and a D.M.A. (1987). In 1986 he won the Victor Herbert/ASCAP Award, and in 1990 the Charles Ives fellowship of the American Academy and Inst. of Arts and Letters and ASCAP’s Young Composers Competition. Lieber-mann’s output demonstrates a deft handling of both traditional and modern elements in an accessible style.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Dorian Gray (1993–94; Monte Carlo, May 8, 1995). orch.: Concertino for Cello and Chamber Orch. (1982); Sym. (1982; N.Y, Feb. 19, 1988); 2 piano concertos: No. 1 (1983; Lake Forest, 111., Oct. 28,1988) and No. 2 (Washington, D.C., June 11,1992); The Domain of Arnheim (1990; N.Y, Jan. 12, 1991); Flute Concerto (St. Louis, Nov. 6, 1992). chamber: Cello Sonata (1978); 2 Pieces for Violin and Viola (1978; N.Y., Oct. 25, 1986); String Quartet (1979); Viola Sonata (1984; N.Y, April 29,1985); Flute Sonata (1987; Charleston, S.C., May 20, 1988); Contrabass Sonata (1987; Washington, D.C., March 18, 1989); Sonata for Flute and Guitar (1988; N.Y, March 15, 1989); Quintet for Piano, Clarinet, and String Trio (Washington, D.C., Nov. 13,1988); Fantasy on a Fugue by J.S. Bach for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, and Piano (N.Y, March 21,1989); Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet (Charleston, S.C., May 28, 1989); Fantasy for Bass Koto (1989; N.Y, June 1,1992); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello (Cape Cod, Mass., Aug. 8, 1990); Quintet for Piano and Strings (1990; Greenville, S.C, Feb. 2,1991); Soliloquy for Flute (New Orleans, Jan. 30,1993); Violin Sonata (N.Y, Dec. 1,1994). keyboard: p i a n o: 2 sonatas: No. 1 (N.Y, May 15, 1977) and No. 2, Sonata Notturna (Wavendon, England, July 7, 1983); Variations on a Theme by Anton Bruckner (1986; Charleston, S.C, June 3, 1987); 4 nocturnes: No. 1 (Washington, D.C., Nov. 21,1986), No. 2 (N.Y, March 28,1990), No. 3 (San Antonio, Oct. 20,1991), and No. 4 (London, Nov. 22, 1992); Variations on a Theme by Mozart for 2 Pianos (1993); Album for the Young (1993). o r g a n :De Profundis (1985; N.Y, Jan. 16, 1986). vocal: 2 Choral Elegies (Stony Brook, N.Y, April 29, 1977); War Songs for Bass and Piano (1980; also for Bass and Orch., 1981); 3 Poems of Stephen Crane for Baritone, String Orch., 2 Horns, and Harp (1983); Sechs Gesänge nach Gedichten von Nelly Sachs for Soprano and Piano (1985; N.Y., March 19, 1986; also for Soprano and Orch., 1986; N.Y., April 7, 1987); Missa Brevis for Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Organ (1985; N.Y., March 29,1986); Final Songs for Baritone and Piano (N.Y., Nov. 23, 1987); Night Songs for Baritone and Piano (1987); A Poet to His Beloved for Tenor, Flute, String Quartet, and Piano (N.Y, Feb. 13, 1993); Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking for Mezzo-soprano and String Quartet (Lawrence, Kans., April 2, 1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire