David Sampson
(b. 1951, Charlottesville, Virginia) has emerged as one of the truly
unique voices of his generation achieving rapidly growing attention
from major orchestras, soloists and ensembles. He is currently Composer-in-Residence
with the Colonial Symphony Orchestra (1998-2007). Recent and coming
major premieres include Hommage JFK commissioned by the National
Symphony Orchestra; Monument commissioned by the Barlow Foundation
for the Akron and Memphis symphony orchestras; Turns for Cello
and Orchestra commissioned by the Bergen Foundation and cellist Paul
Tobias and premiered with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra; Triptych
for trumpet and orchestra commissioned by the International Trumpet
Guild and premiered by Raymond Mase at the Aspen Music Festival and
with the American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall; Dectet
commissioned by the Chicago Chamber Musicians; Elements commissioned
by the Elements Quartet; Strata commissioned by the NEA and the
American Brass Quintet; and three orchestral works commissioned by the
Colonial Symphony Orchestra. Other recent works include Breathing
Lessons for saxophone quartet commissioned by Chamber Music America
for the Amherst Saxophone Quartet, Jersey Rain commissioned by
the National Endowment for the Arts and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
and premiered by Harmonium and Masterworks Choruses and the Colonial
Symphony, Three Portraits for tuba and orchestra commissioned
by Scott Mendoker; Short Stories commissioned by Chamber Music
America and the Pew Charitable Trusts; The War Prayer for soloists,
chorus and orchestra commissioned by the National Endowment for the
Arts and premiered by Princeton Pro Musica; Four Winds commissioned
by the Chelsea Chamber Ensemble; and Simple Lives commissioned
by the Colonial Symphony. Recent recording releases include Monument,
Triptych, Hommage JFK, Three Portraits, Simple Lives (Czech Philharmonic
Chamber Orchestra; Alan Balter, conductor; Raymond Mase, trumpet; Scott
Mendoker, tuba; Summit Records DCD237); Short Stories (Dorian
Wind Quintet, Summit Records); Morning Music and Distant Voices
(American Brass Quintet, Summit Records); Reflections on a Dance
(Summit Brass, Summit Records); The Mysteries Remain and Solo
(Raymond Mase, Summit Records). In October 2000, his Serenade
for flugelhorn and string orchestra was recorded by the Czech Philharmonic
Chamber Orchestra with Raymond Mase as soloist and Paul Polivnick conducting;
and his Dectet was recorded by the Wihan Quartet, Afflatus Wind
Quintet and pianist Richard Ormrod with Paul Polivnick conducting.
David Sampson received a 2006 Fellowship from
the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. He has also
received major grants from the NEA, American Academy of Arts and Letters,
Barlow Endowment, Jerome Foundation, Cary Trust, and the Dodge Foundation,
among others. He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music,
Hunter College, Manhattan School of Music, and the Ecoles d
Art Americaines, where his teachers included Karel Husa, Henri Dutilleux
and John Corigliano in composition; and Gerard Schwarz, Gilbert Johnson,
Robert Nagel, and Raymond Mase in trumpet. His music is published by
Editions BIM, Cantate Press and David Sampson Music. He has served on the
Board of the Composers Guild of New Jersey and the Advisory Board of the
Bergen Foundation.
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