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Martin Kennedy (born March 24, 1978) is a pianist and composer of contemporary classical music.
Biography
Martin Kennedy was born in Wakefield, England.He holds a Doctorate in Music Composition from the Juilliard School where he studied as a C.V. Starr fellow under Milton Babbitt and Samuel Adler.He completed his master's degree in composition at the Jacobs School of Music, where he also received his bachelor's degrees in composition and piano performance.
Kennedy has written extensively for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments.Awards include first prize in the '2 Agosto' International Composing Competition, the 2010 ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize for Best Orchestral Work, five ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, a BMI Young Composer Award, the Suzanne and Lee Ettleson Prize, an Aaron Copland Award, and residencies at the MacDowell and Yaddo artist colonies.His music is published by Theodore Presser Company and G. Schirmer Inc.
Kennedy is an Associate Professor and the Director of Composition and Theory at Central Washington University. Previously he served on the faculty at Washington University in St. Louis.
Compositions
Orchestral works
- Forest Dark and Stars Above (2018)
- Siren, blind (2016)
- Oranges: 12 Pastorals (2005)
- Juvenilia (2001)
- Three Pieces for Orchestra (1999)
Wind ensemble works
- Front Toward Enemy (2014)
Concerti
- Violin Concerto (2020)
- Czardashian Rhapsody for violin and orchestra (2017)
- Desplazamiento for piccolo and orchestra (2013)
- Trivial Pursuits for violin and orchestra (2009)
- Piano Concerto (2008)
- Flute Concerto (1999)
- Souvenir for flute, harp, and string orchestra (1999)
Piano music
- A Departure (2013)
- Ballistics for two pianos (2011)
- All Hands on Dec for ten pianos (1997)
- Piano Sonata (2004)
- Basso Ostinato (2002)
- Barcarolle (2002)
- Toccata (2001)
Chamber music
- Envoi for horn and piano (2017)
- No, You Go Ahead, I'll Catch Up for bass trombone and piano (2015)
- Distant Channels for bass trombone and percussion (2014)
- Czardashian Rhapsody (arr.) for violin and piano (2013)
- Song of the Moon (Serbian, arr.) for violin and piano (2013)
- Desplazamiento for piccolo and piano (2013)
- Variations on Being Alone for solo violin (2010)
- Persistence for trombone quartet (2010)
- Trivial Pursuits for violin and piano (2009)
- Suite for string quartet (2006)
- Theme and Variations for trombone and piano (2003)
- Distraction for guitar, violin, and viola (2002)
- Hammer/Bell for two guitars or Chapman Stick (2001)
- Four Welsh Forms for chamber ensemble (2001)
- Trio for flute, violoncello, and piano (1998)
- Four Songs for flute and piano (1998)
- The Proof of Darkness for six violas (1997)
- Five Complaints for woodwind quartet (1997)
- These Parting Gifts for two violins and piano (1997)
- Stanislas for piano trio (1996)
- Souvenir for flute and piano (1995)
Vocal
- When Darkness Falls for soprano and piano (2020)
- Chanson Sans Paroles for countertenor and viol consort (2018)
- An Affirmation for chamber choir (2015)
- Tomb Sonnets for countertenor and viol consort (2014)
- all one they were for soprano, piano, and percussion (2012)
- My Beloved is Mine for soprano and guitar (2007)
- my eyes / your eyes for choir, marimba, and vibraphone (2006)
- The Touch of Dreams for tenor, clarinet, and piano (2000)
- Shall I Come Sweet Love for soprano and harp (1999)
- The Lamb for boychoir and string trio (1998)
Electronic
- She says we're alone (2016)
- Four Canons for Four Organs Posing as a Set of Russian Nesting Dolls (2012)
- "I am Doctor Brahms!Johannes Brahms!" (2012)
Arrangements
- Sonata for violin and orchestra (John Corigliano, arr. Kennedy) (2012)
- J.S. BACHelor Party for Polkastra (arr. with Matthew Van Brink) (2011)
- Totentanz for violin and orchestra (Franz Liszt, arr. Kennedy and Lara St. John) (2007)