Jump to content

Alexander Levine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alexander Levine
Born (1955-11-17) 17 November 1955 (age 68)
Moscow, RSFSR, Soviet Union
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)composer
Websitealexanderlevine.com

Alexander Levine (Russian: Александр Левин; born 17 November 1955), is a Russian-born British composer. He writes choral, chamber and orchestral music, publishing through Edition Peters.[1]

Background

[edit]

Alexander Levine was born in Moscow in 1955. As a child he attended the Gnessin State Musical College (Gnessin School of Music) and then studied at the Gnessin Academy (1976-1980).

In 1992 he relocated to the U.K. where he lives and works at present.[2][3][4]

After winning the Wingate Foundation scholarship he studied on the Advanced Postgraduate Composition Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Master of Music in Composition, 1995).

He started his UK career working on a number of theatre projects. In 1994 he received a commission to write music for a theatre production of “War and Peace” staged at the GSMD (Director Peter Clough). The music was performed live by symphony orchestra. The Times observed in its review: "It is not often you go to the theatre and get an orchestra thrown in: not providing cues for numbers but underscoring dialogue with a grand swell, like a soundtrack for the big screen" (Kate Bassett, The Times, October 29, 1994)[5] Other theatre works of that period: “The Beggar's Opera” and “Love's Labour's Lost” (Director Di Trevis)

Further collaborations include various artists from a wide range of genres: Maria Friedman, Christian Forshaw, Stanzeleit/Jacobson Duo, Darragh Morgan, Mary Dullea, Fidelio Trio, Konstantin Boyarsky, Andrew McNeill, Bozidar Vukovic, Tippett Quartet, Orlando Consort, BBC Singers, 21st Century Choir, Tenebrae, Mariinsky Opera Choir, Russia State Orchestra “Novaia Rossia”, Bel Canto Chorus, Voces8, Paul Phoenix & Apollo5.[6][7]

Selected works from Edition Peters catalogue

[edit]

Prayers for Mankind. A Symphony of Prayers of Father Alexander Men’[8][9]

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom[11][12][13][14][15]

Canti Augustini[17]

Oh, You Wide Steppe

  • Recording: Paul Phoenix & Apollo5, Edition Peters Sounds
  • Publisher: Edition Peters

Natasha's Waltz

  • Recording: State Symphony Orchestra “Novaya Rossiya”, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Yuri Bashmet.
  • Publisher: Edition Peters

The True Light

Thy Will Be Done[18]

Tibi Solus

I Am All Along on the Road

Our Father (Thy Will Be Done)

Discography

[edit]

Oh, You Wide Steppe, arr.

Paul Phoenix & Apollo5, "Journey", Edition Peters Sounds, 2015, EPS002[19]

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Tenebrae, conductor Nigel Short, Signum Classics, 2013, SIGCD316[20]

Prayers for Mankind (A Symphony of Prayers)

Tenebrae, conductor Nigel Short, Signum Classics, 2010, SIGCD212[21]

Kolokolá

The BBC Singers, cond. James Morgan, Albany Records, 2005, TROY 736[22][23]

Faces (prelude & fugue for saxophone quartet)

Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Black Box, 2000, BBM1024[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Search Results | Edition Peters". editionpeters.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  2. ^ "spnm - new notes". www.spnm.org.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  3. ^ "Alexander Levine | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "Meet the Artist……Alexander Levine, composer". The Cross-Eyed Pianist. February 6, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "spnm - new notes". www.spnm.org.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  6. ^ "Meet the Artist: Alexander Levine, composer". The Cross-Eyed Pianist. February 6, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  7. ^ EpamArtists (March 11, 2014), VOCES8: "Magnus Es, Domine" from Alexander Levine's St Augustine Prayers, retrieved October 18, 2017
  8. ^ International, MusicWeb. "LEVINE - Prayers for Mankind Signum Classics SIGCD212 [JQ] : Classical Music Reviews - April 2011 MusicWeb-International". www.musicweb-international.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  9. ^ "Prayers for Mankind - Tenebrae, Nigel Short | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "2012-13 Season". Bel Canto Chorus. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Alexander Levine: The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom - St Martin-in-the-Fields - Trafalgar Square, concerts in London". www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org. Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  12. ^ "CD review - Alexander Levine - Divine Liturgy". www.planethugill.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  13. ^ Smith, Charlotte (March 4, 2013). "Tenebrae to release Alexander Levine's The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom". www.gramophone.co.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  14. ^ "Alexander Levine – The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom". www.planethugill.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  15. ^ "Review: The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom - Alexander Levine, Tenebrae, Nigel Short | Cross Rhythms". www.crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "Australian premiere of Levine's Divine Liturgy at St George's Cathedral". rosalindappleby.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  17. ^ "A Christmas of All Ages The vocal ensemble VOCES8 a cappella". mariinsky.tv. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  18. ^ EpamArtists (July 8, 2014), Alexander Levine: "Thy Will Be Done" World Premiere by Suzi Digby and the Voce Chamber Choir, retrieved October 18, 2017
  19. ^ Paul Phoenix & Apollo 5: Oh, You Wide Steppe (extract), retrieved October 18, 2017
  20. ^ "The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Vocal & Song Signum". Chandos Records. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  21. ^ "Levine: Prayers for Mankind Choir Signum". Chandos Records. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  22. ^ "Levine: Choral Works e Choir Albany Records". Chandos Records. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  23. ^ "Alexander Levine: Kolokolà - BBC Singers | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  24. ^ "Faces - Quartz Saxophone Quartet | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
[edit]