Name Mark Applebaum | Role Composer | |
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Albums The Bible Without God Education University of California, San Diego (1996), University of California, San Diego (1992), Carleton College (1989) Similar People St Lawrence String Qu, Brian Ferneyhough, Meridian Arts Ensemble | ||
The mad scientist of music | Mark Applebaum
"Aphasia"
Mark Applebaum (born 1967 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American composer and full professor of music composition and theory at Stanford University. He received his PhD in music composition from the University of California, San Diego where he studied with Brian Ferneyhough, Joji Yuasa, Rand Steiger, and Roger Reynolds. Prior to Stanford, Applebaum taught at UCSD, Mississippi State University, and Carleton College. He has received commissions from Betty Freeman, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, the Fromm Foundation, the Kronos Quartet, the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Spoleto USA, the Vienna Modern Festival, Antwerp’s Champ D’Action, Festival ADEvantgarde in Munich, Zeitgeist, Manufacture (Tokyo), the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Jerome Foundation, and the American Composers Forum.
Contents
- The mad scientist of music Mark Applebaum
- Aphasia
- Electroacoustic instruments
- Visual and theatrical compositions
- Orchestral
- Choral and opera
- Symphonic wind ensemble and jazz orchestra
- Chamber
- Tape Music
- Improvisation works
- Discography
- References
Applebaum's solo, chamber, choral, orchestral, operatic, and electro-acoustic work has been performed through North and South America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia. His music has been described as mercurial, high detailed, discipline, and exacting, but also features improvisational and whimsical aspects. His inspiration has been drawn from jazz pioneers and maverick composers such as Nancarrow and Partch, who found it necessary to use or invent unusual instruments to realize their artistic visions.
As a jazz pianist, Applebaum has performed around the world, including a solo recital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso that was sponsored by the American Embassy. In 1994 he received the jazz prize of the Southern California Jazz Society.
Electroacoustic instruments
In 1990 Applebaum began building unique instruments called electroacoustic instruments. One of these instruments Applebaum refers to as the "Mouseketier" consists of threaded rods, nails, combs, doorstops, springs, squeaky wheels, ratchets, and a toilet tank flotation bulb. His first instrument, the “Mousetrap,” is used in Mousetrap Music which features a recording of sound-sculpture improvisations. The objects on the instruments are plucked, scratched, bowed, and modified by a battery of live electronics.
Visual and theatrical compositions
Many of Applebaum's compositions are composed of visual and theatrical elements; pieces like Echolalia requires the rapid execution of 22 dadaist rituals. Straitjacket includes performers drawing on amplified easels; Aphasia requires its performer to synchronize choreographed hand gestures to tape.