Libby Larsen, a Current American Classical Composer.

Introduction

Libby Larsen, whose full name is Elizabeth Brown Larsen, was born on December 24, 1950, and is a prominent American classical composer. Along with composer Stephen Paulus, she co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now known as the American Composers Forum. Born in Wilmington, DE, Libby is not only a composer but also a musical performer, artist, pianist, and actor. Her primary role, however, is that of a musical performer, with a rich repertoire of music she has created. She has developed a catalogue of over 500 works spanning virtually every genre, from intimate vocal and chamber music to massive orchestral works and over 15 operas. Libby’s music has been praised for its dynamic, deeply inspired, and vigorous contemporary American spirit.

Achievements and Influence

Constantly sought after for commissions and premieres by major artists, ensembles, and orchestras around the world, Elizabeth Larsen has established a permanent place for her works in the concert repertory. As a past holder of the 2003-2004 Harissios Papamarkou Chair in Education at the Library of Congress and recipient of the Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Libby is a vigorous, articulate champion of the music and musicians of our time. In 1973, she co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now the American Composers Forum, which has been an invaluable advocate for composers during a difficult, transitional time for American arts.

Libby Larsen is consistently sought after as a leader in the generation of millennium thinkers. Her music and ideas have revitalized the concert music tradition and the composer's role in it. Her most famous piece, “Slang,” was composed in 1994 and showcases her innovative style. When asked about her influences, Libby said, "To tell the truth, my teachers have come to me from unexpected places in my musical life. They have been poets, architects, painters, and philosophers." In addition to being known as a composer, Larsen is recognized as a musical philosopher and speaker. She has given keynote addresses at places such as the League of American Orchestras, American Choral Directors Association, American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Convention, Concert Band Directors National Association, Dominique de Menil Presidential Lecture Series at Rice University in 2001, Music Educators National Convention, and National Association of Schools of Music.

Innovations and Contributions

From 2003-2004, Libby served as the first Harissios Papamarkou Chair in Education and Technology at the Library of Congress. In 1993, she organized and became the artistic director of the Hot Notes Series, focusing on the modern keyboard and particularly on the interaction between performer and synthesized sound. This interaction has become a feature of her later works, including pieces based on literature, such as her 1990 opera inspired by Mary Shelley's book. This work utilized electronic visual effects like projectors and screens around the theater to present different perspectives throughout the opera. Libby Larsen is a very famous composer in Minnesota and has made significant contributions to contemporary music.

Conclusion

Libby Larsen's education at the University of Minnesota and her exceptional body of work, including songs and many other pieces, have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in classical music. Her influence extends beyond composition, as she inspires new generations of musicians and composers. Learning about her contributions to music, especially as part of an assignment on famous choral composers, has been enlightening. It would be fascinating to perform one of her pieces, given her impact on the world of choral music.

Works Cited

1. Larsen, Libby. “W O R K S.” Libby Larsen - Works. Retrieved from http://libbylarsen.com/as_works.
2. “Libby Larsen.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2018. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libby_Larsen.