Laurence Traiger
{{short description|American composer (born 1956)}}
Laurence Traiger (born October 16, 1956, died October 18, 2024) was an American composer. Originally from Bellmore, Long Island, New York, he studied and worked in Europe since 1976.{{Cite web|url=http://nandocs.pbworks.com/f/traiger.pdf|title = Workspace not found}}
At age 11 he composed duos for violin; at age 14 he took lessons in harmony, counterpoint and composition from his violin instructor, William Cosgriff, and at 16 had a work performed at the Hartt School of Music. In 1974 he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore, New York) where he studied under Barry A. Beeber and performed with the Long Island Youth Orchestra and the Long Island Holiday Festival Orchestra under Martin C. Dreiwitz. He received a scholarship from the University of Kansas, studying composition under Prof. John Pozdro. Leaving Kansas after his sophomore year, he moved to Europe. He first studied with Prof. Cesar Bresgen at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg, graduating in 1980.[http://www.doblinger-musikverlag.at/Komp/cmp_detail.php?compID=201&sp=1 Komponisten] From 1980 to 1982 Traiger studied at the Conservatoire National in Paris with Ivo Malec. In 1982 he became a student in the master class of Wilhelm Killmayer at the Munich College of Music.[http://www.edition-zither.de/komponisten/komponisten_texte/traiger.ht Traigers professors]
His list of works include chamber music, choral music, orchestral music, film music as well as compositions for educational works and historical instruments.{{Cite web|url=http://www.edition-zither.de/komponisten/komponisten_texte/traiger.htm|title=Laurence Traiger}} Many of his works reflect an interest in Jewish mysticism.[http://www.sueddeutsche.de/w5I38G/585855/Antiromantisch.html sueddeutsche.de][http://www.otz.de/startseite/detail/-/specific/Gera-Konzert-mit-Musik-von-Zeitgenossen-zur-Karwoche-1542386732 Gera: Konzert mit Musik von Zeitgenossen zur Karwoche | OTZ] For didactic works he strives to provide something that the student could use as a vehicle for expression, attempting to capture the teenage disposition in a moody and thoughtful, yet energetic and optimistic tone.{{cite web |url=http://www.teenstringsmagazine.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=21748 |title=All Things Strings: Lawrence Traiger's cello piece for teens |access-date=2010-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716202206/http://www.teenstringsmagazine.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=21748 |archive-date=2011-07-16 }} Traiger has received numerous commissions from renowned ensembles and radio choirs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fraenkische-musiktage.de/konzerte/laurence-traiger-ode-to-mandela-ua-und-maurice-durufle-requiem-op9|title=Fränkische Musiktage - Konzert: Laurence Traiger und Maurice Duruflé Konzert|website=www.fraenkische-musiktage.de|access-date=2018-11-02}} Traiger has had many collaborations with the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Choir,[http://www.mdr.de/musiksommer/7543043.html MDR MUSIKSOMMER 2013 | MDR.DE]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} including an invitation to compose a piece for Schumann-2010,{{cite web |url=http://www.schumann-portal.de/pgcms/output.php?PAGE_ID=2606 |title=Schumann-Jahr 2010 |access-date=2010-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129034402/http://www.schumann-portal.de/pgcms/output.php?PAGE_ID=2606 |archive-date=2011-01-29 }} honoring the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth.[http://www.mdr.de/konzerte/die-naechsten-konzerte/7357441.html Die nächsten Konzerte | MDR.DE]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His work has appeared on MDR's CD "Das Hohelied Salomos."[http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/MDR_Choir_And_Orchestra/Gewaltsam_Wie_Der_Tod_Ist_Die_Liebe_Das_Hohelied_Salomos/6363/ Review: Gewaltsam Wie Der Tod Ist Die Liebe: Das Hohelied Salomos - MDR Choir And Orchestra | Cross Rhythms] He has been described by Howard Arman as one of the few composers of music for Baroque instruments today.
Laurence Traiger taught at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München and the Innsbruck branch of Mozarteum University of Salzburg.[http://www.moz.ac.at/german/toolbar/results.shtml?cx=002911380811694884954:jkmkrngbric&cof=FORID:11&q=traiger&sa=Search Unknown]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}! His areas of interest include music history, theory for music teachers, composition and arrangement, and vocal polyphony of the 16th Century.[http://www.moz.ac.at/lvs.php?penr=51396&lang=2 Unknown]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} At the 2013 Internationale Sommerakademie Mozaertum, Traiger was featured in a Komponistenporträt (the presentation of a living composer in talk and music).{{Cite web | url=http://www.moz.ac.at/files/pdf/soak/soak_va.pdf | title=Veranstaltungen | language=de | trans-title=Events | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214155128/http://www.moz.ac.at/files/pdf/soak/soak_va.pdf | archive-date=2019-12-14}}
Musical style
Notable works
With Richard Voss,{{Cite web |url=http://www.di-arezzo.co.uk/scores-of-Richard+Voss.html?tri=arti_compo&app=40 |title=Scores of Richard Voss 40/Page Sorted by: artist/composer A to Z |access-date=2010-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726070030/http://www.di-arezzo.co.uk/scores-of-Richard+Voss.html?tri=arti_compo&app=40 |archive-date=2011-07-26 |url-status=dead }} Traiger has written two tune book collections of Irish folk music, arranging the songs for piano solo in both. "Roving Through Ireland" is a collection of 38 traditional Irish ballads.[https://books.google.com/books?id=oC6oL6NyaaQC&q=Roving+Through+Ireland%0APiano+Solos+of+Traditional+Irish+Folk+Music%0Aby+Richard+Voss+and+Laurence+Traiger Roving Through Ireland: Piano Solos of Traditional Irish Folk Music - Google Books] "O'Carolan's Tunes for Piano"[http://www.rambles.net/voss_ocarpiano.html Richard Voss & Laurence Traiger, O'Carolan's Tunes for Piano] is a collection of 32 songs, originally for harp, by Turlough O'Carolan, 17th Century Irish harper. Voss and Traiger have three other tune book collaborations, including "Auf Den Spuren Der Inkas".{{Cite web |url=http://www.notenbuch.de/productlist2.aspx?Com=VOSS+RICHARD+%2b+TRAIGER+LAURENCE&SearchMode=1&Key=2 |title=VOSS RICHARD + TRAIGER LAURENCE - Noten - Musiknoten - Songbook |access-date=2010-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719070104/http://www.notenbuch.de/productlist2.aspx?Com=VOSS+RICHARD+++TRAIGER+LAURENCE&SearchMode=1&Key=2 |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=dead }}
"According to Juliet" is a monodrama (in four scenes for soprano, flute and accordion) written by Traiger. Using excerpts from the original text of Arthur Brooke's Romeus and Juliet, written shortly before Shakespeare's birth, Traiger tells the beautiful but hopeless love story from Juliet's perspective.[http://www.rauscher-kultur.at/seiten/juliet_english.html ACCORDING TO JULIET, Monodram über Romeo und Julia aus der Sicht der Julia]{{Cite web |url=http://www.stefanieschumacher.de/bilder/AccordingJuliet.jpg# |title=Photo of three women in white and a man in black |access-date=2010-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085459/http://www.stefanieschumacher.de/bilder/AccordingJuliet.jpg# |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=dead | format=JPG }} The work was premiered at the 2007 Black Forest Music Festival in Badenweiler; the Munich premiere of the libretto was 16 March 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://www.schwerereiter.de/Archiv/2010-03-16%20according%20to%20J.html |title=schwere reiter - Programm |access-date=2010-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719082834/http://www.schwerereiter.de/Archiv/2010-03-16%20according%20to%20J.html |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=dead }} Reviewer Bianca Flier reported that the interplay of the voice and instruments
grips the audience until the dramatic
finale, and that "the composer has created a moving and compelling, almost unearthly work."{{Cite web | url=http://www.rauscher-kultur.at/bilder/juliet-kritik.pdf | title=Genial vertont und subtil interpretiert | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229094142/http://www.rauscher-kultur.at/bilder/juliet-kritik.pdf | archive-date=2013-12-29 | newspaper=Badische Zeitung | date=2007-06-05 | language=de | trans-title=Brilliantly set to music and subtly interpreted}}
"Aliyat" is a work for mezzo-soprano and orchestra. Based on mystical teachings of Judaism, the composition describes the journey of a disembodied soul through the various stages of life after death, as one imagines oneself in the mystical tradition of Kabbalah.[http://www.tpthueringen.de/frontend/index.php?page_id=127&v=repertoire_detail&pi=544&mid=176 Theater & Philharmonie Thüringen | Bühnen der Stadt Gera - Landestheater Altenburg] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317153016/http://www.tpthueringen.de/frontend/index.php?page_id=127&v=repertoire_detail&pi=544&mid=176 |date=2012-03-17 }}
Traiger wrote the cantata, "Be Still," in memory of the 9/11/2001 tragedy. Commissioned by the {{ill|Orpheus Choir|de|orpheus chor münchen}} of Munich,[http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/OCM.htm Orpheus Chor Munchen (Chamber Choir) - Short History] Joel Frederiksen was the narrator/bass soloist for the 30 June 2002 premiere,{{cite web |url=http://www.domenico-martinelli.com/download/Joel_Frederiksen_bio_EN_05.pdf |title=Joel Frederiksen |access-date=2010-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710143551/http://www.domenico-martinelli.com/download/Joel_Frederiksen_bio_EN_05.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-10 }} at the Europäischen Wochen, Passau.[http://www.orpheus-chor.de/index.php?action=showSite&name=chronik&jahrzehnt=200&vjahr=0&bjahr=9 [ orpheus chor münchen ] chronik 2000- 2009] The OCM has long collaborated with Traiger, and premiered many of his works. Traiger and Frederiksen have other collaborations, most recently their work honoring Baroque architect Domenico Martinelli. For "Project Martinelli,"{{cite web |url=http://domenico-martinelli.com/index_en.html |title=Project Martinelli |access-date=2010-08-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304172334/http://domenico-martinelli.com/index_en.html |archive-date=2010-03-04 }} Traiger was commissioned, and wrote a Baroque piece for arciliuto, theorbo and soprano based upon text by Frank Lloyd Wright.{{Cite web |url=http://www.muenchenticket.de/guide/tickets/ba31/Projekt+Martinelli.html |title=Zwischen Mars und Venus - Joel Frederiksen/ Ensemble Phoenix Munich - Projekt Martinelli, Sonntag, 25.04.2010 Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Mars-Venus-Saal - München Ticket |access-date=2010-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330070524/http://www.muenchenticket.de/guide/tickets/ba31/Projekt+Martinelli.html |archive-date=2010-03-30 |url-status=dead }}
"Prayer Without Words"{{Cite web |url=http://traiger.net/laurence/prayers/prayers.html |title=Prayers Without Words |access-date=2010-06-27 |archive-date=2011-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724111836/http://traiger.net/laurence/prayers/prayers.html |url-status=dead }} has been widely played piece, with three concerts at the Scharzwald
Festival in 2006,[http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB/-s/1smyxp61adfuvo13d2kuf4nnytgdgblo3/show/1308959/100519%20Tourismus%20LR%20Kultur%20Mast.pdf Infodienst - Landwirtschaft, Ernährung, Ländlicher Raum - Startseite] as well as at the International Festival of Sacred Choral Music in Rottenburg am Neckar 2008,.{{cite web |url=http://www.chorfestival-rottenburg.de/fileadmin/media/festival5/downloads/Flyer-II_in_englisch.pdf |title=5th International Choir Festival of Sacred Music |access-date=2010-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718211957/http://www.chorfestival-rottenburg.de/fileadmin/media/festival5/downloads/Flyer-II_in_englisch.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-18 }}
"Nach Im Schlaf" was written in 1998 for the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk Chor; a 12-part composition, it is based on text from the Song of Songs. It was performed by the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor at the opening of its 2012–2013 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndr.de/orchester_chor/chor/philippahmann115.html|title = Der NDR Chor}} His 2015 piece for the choir, "Till This Night," uses the famous monologue from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" in which Romeo says of his mistress: "Swear it, my eye; before this happy night not you know what beauty is."{{Cite web|url = http://www.presseportal.de/pm/7880/2975802|title = Till the Night|date = 18 March 2015|website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}
In 2014, Traiger wrote the music for the award-winning[http://www.br.de/fernsehen/bayerisches-fernsehen/sendungen/dokumentarfilm/fukushima-nichts-ist-wie-es-war-dokumentarfilm-100.html Award winning documentary] documentary movie "Fukushima Nichts Ist Wie Es War."[https://www.evensi.com/fukushima-nichts-ist-wie-es-war-bayerisches-fernsehen-br/114019933 Fukushima documentary]
On the 2018 occasion of Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday, Traiger created RheinMain Ode to Mandela, a work for speakers, two choirs, instrumental ensemble, percussion and organ commissioned by the Vocal Art Frankfurt Festival.{{Cite news|url=https://primavera24.de/freedom-now-chor-und-orchesterkonzert/|title="Freedom Now": Chor- und Orchesterkonzert – Primavera24|date=2018-10-28|work=Primavera24|access-date=2018-11-02|language=de-DE}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Traiger, Laurence}}
Category:American male classical composers
Category:American expatriates in Germany
Category:People from Bellmore, New York
Category:University of Kansas alumni
Category:20th-century American classical composers
Category:21st-century American classical composers
Category:Academic staff of the University of Music and Theatre Munich
Category:Classical musicians from New York (state)
Category:20th-century American male musicians
Category:21st-century American male musicians
Category:John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore, New York) alumni