As one of the most important and celebrated composers working today, Libby Larsen has created an immense catalogue of works that spans virtually every genre and has established a permanent place in concert repertory. Larsen's awards and accolades are numerous, including a 1994 Grammy for her recording of The Art of Arleen Auger, featuring Larsen's Sonnets from the Portuguese.
Within her vast career, Larsen has become a prolific composer who is actively sought out by great artists of international fame. Her discography of over 48 works is alone a testament to her many friendships and collaborations with a long list of world-renowned artists. She's been called "A mistress of orchestration" (The Times Union) as well as "the only English-speaking composer since Benjamin Britten who matches great verse with fine music so intelligently and expressively" (USA Today). Gramophone has called her Symphony: Water Music "the finest water music since Respighi's Fountains." "... her use of synthesized sound points to options that could help opera survive into the 21st century" (USA Today).
Consistently sought-after as a leader in the generation of millenium thinkers, Larsen's music and ideas have refreshed the concert music tradition and the composer's role in it. Larsen's writings and speeches on music can be found in numerous textbooks and in her upcoming book published by Graywolf Press.
As a widely recorded composer, Larsen's compositions can be heard on several recording labels, including Koch International, Nonesuch, EMI, and Decca. Two of Larsen's newly released works on Koch International are Love After 1950, sung by mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer with Craig Rutenberg, piano and a new recording with the Colorado Symphony, performing the world premiere of her fifth symphony, Solo Symphony.
Listen to audio clips and more at www.libbylarsen.com
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