Avner Dorman, Israel

Leading International Composers

December 17, 2015, 6:30 PM

Music Room

This season, Phillips Music broadens its scope to create Leading International Composers. Israeli American Avner Dorman has chosen Israeli pianists Orli Shaham and Alon Goldstein, Israeli percussionist Tomer Yariv, violinist Tessa Lark, and saxophonist Amanda Heim to perform his chamber music.

Artist Images

Program

Avner Dorman (b. 1975) writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on a variety of cultural and historical influences in composing. His works utilize an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors. Much of Dorman’s music finds its inspiration in the music of Israel and the surrounding region, extending the “Eastern” boundaries as far as the Indian subcontinent. The scales and the rhythms emanating from the traditional classical music of the peoples of the Mediterranean meet a modern, repetitive minimalism, prevailing also in the music tradition of the Middle East.

Dorman has chosen world-renowned Israeli pianists Orli Shaham and Alon Goldstein, Israeli percussionist Tomer Yariv, 2012 Naumburg International Violin Award-winner Tessa Lark, and saxophonist Amanda Heim to perform a concert of his chamber music.

Program

Udacrep Akubrad (2001)

Three Etudes (2012)

Suite for solo saxophone (2015, world premiere)

After Brahms: three intermezzos for piano (2014)

Sonata No. 4 for violin and piano (2015)

Memory Games (2011, arr. 2015)

About the Composer

Avner Dorman writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on a variety of cultural and historical influences in composing, resulting in music that affects an emotional impact while exploring new territories. His works utilize an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings. The world’s finest orchestras, conductors, and soloists have performed Dorman’s music, and many of his compositions have become contemporary staples in the repertoire.

Dorman is an active conductor, and he was recently named music director of CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra. He holds degrees from Tel Aviv University and the Juilliard School, and his major teachers include Josef Bardanashvili and John Corligliano. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.

Composer website