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Alexander Levine

{{short description|Russian composer}}

{{use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Alexander Levine

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|11|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Moscow, RSFSR, Soviet Union

| genre = Classical

| occupation = composer

| website = {{URL|http://alexanderlevine.com/}}

}}

Alexander Levine (Russian: Александр Левин; born 17 November 1955), is a Russian-born British composer. He writes choral, chamber and orchestral music, publishing through Edition Peters.{{Cite web|url=http://editionpeters.com/keyword/Levine%20Alexander|title=Search Results {{!}} Edition Peters|website=editionpeters.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Background

Alexander Levine was born in Moscow in 1955. As a child he attended the Gnessin State Musical College (Gnessin School of Music) and then studied at the Gnessin Academy (1976-1980).

In 1992 he relocated to the U.K. where he lives and works at present.{{Cite web|url=http://www.spnm.org.uk/shortlist/levine.html|title=spnm - new notes|website=www.spnm.org.uk|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alexander-levine-mn0002214632/biography|title=Alexander Levine {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite news|url=https://crosseyedpianist.com/2014/02/06/meet-the-artist-alexander-levine-composer/|title=Meet the Artist……Alexander Levine, composer|date=2014-02-06|work=The Cross-Eyed Pianist|access-date=2017-10-18|language=en-US}}

After winning the Wingate Foundation scholarship he studied on the Advanced Postgraduate Composition Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Master of Music in Composition, 1995).

He started his UK career working on a number of theatre projects. In 1994 he received a commission to write music for a theatre production of “War and Peace” staged at the GSMD (Director Peter Clough). The music was performed live by symphony orchestra. The Times observed in its review: "It is not often you go to the theatre and get an orchestra thrown in: not providing cues for numbers but underscoring dialogue with a grand swell, like a soundtrack for the big screen" (Kate Bassett, The Times, October 29, 1994){{Cite web|url=http://www.spnm.org.uk/shortlist/levine01.html|title=spnm - new notes|website=www.spnm.org.uk|access-date=2017-10-18}} Other theatre works of that period: “The Beggar's Opera” and “Love's Labour's Lost” (Director Di Trevis)

Further collaborations include various artists from a wide range of genres: Maria Friedman, Christian Forshaw, Stanzeleit/Jacobson Duo, Darragh Morgan, Mary Dullea, Fidelio Trio, Konstantin Boyarsky, Andrew McNeill, Bozidar Vukovic, Tippett Quartet, Orlando Consort, BBC Singers, 21st Century Choir, Tenebrae, Mariinsky Opera Choir, Russia State Orchestra “Novaia Rossia”, Bel Canto Chorus, Voces8, Paul Phoenix & Apollo5.{{Cite news|url=https://crosseyedpianist.com/2014/02/06/meet-the-artist-alexander-levine-composer/|title=Meet the Artist: Alexander Levine, composer|date=2014-02-06|work=The Cross-Eyed Pianist|access-date=2017-10-18|language=en-US}}{{Citation|last=EpamArtists|title=VOCES8: "Magnus Es, Domine" from Alexander Levine's St Augustine Prayers|date=2014-03-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfBg06mCN2s|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Selected works from Edition Peters catalogue

Prayers for Mankind. A Symphony of Prayers of Father Alexander Men’{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Apr11/Levine_SIGCD212.htm|title=LEVINE - Prayers for Mankind Signum Classics SIGCD212 [JQ] : Classical Music Reviews - April 2011 MusicWeb-International|last=International|first=MusicWeb|website=www.musicweb-international.com|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/prayers-for-mankind-mw0002054513|title=Prayers for Mankind - Tenebrae, Nigel Short {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-10-18}}

The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom{{Cite web|url=http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/event/alexander-levine-the-divine-liturgy-of-st-john-chrysostom/|title=Alexander Levine: The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom - St Martin-in-the-Fields - Trafalgar Square, concerts in London|website=www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019062129/http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/event/alexander-levine-the-divine-liturgy-of-st-john-chrysostom/|archive-date=2017-10-19|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.planethugill.com/2013/03/cd-review-alexander-levine-divine.html|title=CD review - Alexander Levine - Divine Liturgy|website=www.planethugill.com|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/tenebrae-to-release-alexander-levine%E2%80%99s-the-divine-liturgy-of-st-john-chrysostom|title=Tenebrae to release Alexander Levine's The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom|last=Smith|first=Charlotte|date=2013-03-04|website=www.gramophone.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.planethugill.com/2013/03/alexander-levine-divine-liturgy-of-st.html|title=Alexander Levine – The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom|website=www.planethugill.com|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Alexander_Levine_Tenebrae_Nigel_Short/The_Divine_Liturgy_of_St_John_Chrysostom/137538/|title=Review: The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom - Alexander Levine, Tenebrae, Nigel Short {{!}} Cross Rhythms|website=www.crossrhythms.co.uk|access-date=2017-10-18}}

  • World Premiere: St. Petersburg, 2009, Mariinsky Opera Choir, conductor Andrey Petrenko.
  • UK premiere: March 7, 2013, London. Tenebrae Choir, director Nigel Short.
  • Australian Premiere: Aug. 2014, St George's Cathedral, Perth, St George's Cathedral Consort, Director Joseph Nolan (organist){{Cite web|url=http://rosalindappleby.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/australian-premiere-of-levines-divine.html|title=Australian premiere of Levine's Divine Liturgy at St George's Cathedral|website=rosalindappleby.blogspot.co.uk|access-date=2017-10-18}}
  • Recording: Tenebrae Choir, director Nigel Short, Signum Records, London, 2013.
  • Publisher: Edition Peters

Canti Augustini{{Cite web|url=https://mariinsky.tv/682-en|title=A Christmas of All Ages The vocal ensemble VOCES8 a cappella|website=mariinsky.tv|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Oh, You Wide Steppe

  • Recording: Paul Phoenix & Apollo5, Edition Peters Sounds
  • Publisher: Edition Peters

Natasha's Waltz

  • Recording: State Symphony Orchestra “Novaya Rossiya”, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Yuri Bashmet.
  • Publisher: Edition Peters

The True Light

Thy Will Be Done{{Citation|last=EpamArtists|title=Alexander Levine: "Thy Will Be Done" World Premiere by Suzi Digby and the Voce Chamber Choir|date=2014-07-08|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xebt3p9MfsM|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Tibi Solus

I Am All Along on the Road

Our Father (Thy Will Be Done)

Discography

Oh, You Wide Steppe, arr.

Paul Phoenix & Apollo5, "Journey", Edition Peters Sounds, 2015, EPS002{{Citation|title=Paul Phoenix & Apollo 5: Oh, You Wide Steppe (extract)|url=https://soundcloud.com/editionpeterssounds/paul-phoenix-apollo-5-oh-you-wide-steppe-extract|language=en|access-date=2017-10-18}}

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom

Tenebrae, conductor Nigel Short, Signum Classics, 2013, SIGCD316{{Cite web|url=https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/SIG%20316|title=The Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom Vocal & Song Signum|website=Chandos Records|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Prayers for Mankind (A Symphony of Prayers)

Tenebrae, conductor Nigel Short, Signum Classics, 2010, SIGCD212{{Cite web|url=https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/SIG%20212|title=Levine: Prayers for Mankind Choir Signum|website=Chandos Records|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Kolokolá

The BBC Singers, cond. James Morgan, Albany Records, 2005, TROY 736{{Cite web|url=https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/TR%200736|title=Levine: Choral Works e Choir Albany Records|website=Chandos Records|access-date=2017-10-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/alexander-levine-kolokol%C3%A0-mw0001860719|title=Alexander Levine: Kolokolà - BBC Singers {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-10-18}}

Faces (prelude & fugue for saxophone quartet)

Quartz Saxophone Quartet, Black Box, 2000, BBM1024{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/faces-mw0001828597|title=Faces - Quartz Saxophone Quartet {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-10-18}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{official website|http://alexanderlevine.com/}}
  • [http://editionpeters.com/keyword/Levine%20Alexander Alexander Levine on Edition Peters]
  • [https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/c.asp?c=C4690 Alexander Levine on Hyperion]
  • [https://www.allmusic.com/album/prayers-for-mankind-mw0002054513 Alexander Levine: "Prayers for Mankind"]
  • [https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/levine-a-prayers-for-mankind A. Levine: "Prayers for Mankind" on Gramophone]
  • [https://www.allmusic.com/album/alexander-levine-the-divine-liturgy-of-st-john-chrysostom-mw0002493111 Alexander Levine: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]
  • [https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/levine-the-divine-liturgy-of-st-john-chrysostom A. Levine: “The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom” on Gramophone]

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Category:1955 births

Category:Living people

Category:British male classical composers

Category:21st-century British classical composers

Category:Russian Orthodox Christians from Russia

Category:21st-century British male musicians