Alan Theisen (b. 4 October 1981; Port Huron, Michigan) is a Ph.D. graduate assistant in the Department of Music Theory at the Florida State University.
Composing since the age of sixteen, he has produced a steadily growing body of work distinguished by its musical energy and concentration of expression.
Representative works by Theisen include a Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano, Variations on a Theme of Gretchaninov, Eclogue for flute, and the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra (premiered by soloist Lawrence Gwozdz and the Szczecin Philharmonic in 2004). Recent compositions and commissions include Ritorno for flute and cello and a Triple Concerto. Noted composer Dimitri Terzakis commends Theisen's oeuvre as being "the product of a unique talent."
As a saxophonist, Theisen has toured the United States and Canada with the Sax-Chamber Orchestra, performing at two World Saxophone Congresses (Montreal - 2000, Minneapolis - 2003). He studied the instrument with internationally-recognized performer Lawrence Gwozdz and participated in masterclasses with famed saxophone pioneer Jean-Marie Londeix. No stranger to the podium, Theisen has been a guest conductor with several ensembles.
In an effort to showcase both his own original compositions and pieces by other contemporary composers, he founded the Intégrales New Music Festival in 2005. Now an annual event, Intégrales NMF features world-premiere performances by nationally recognized musicians. Intégrales has expanded to include musical collaborations with artists, authors, and dancers.
Theisen wrote his undergraduate thesis on György Ligeti's Piano Etudes, and has authored several papers on topics including Elliott Carter, film editing, composition as analysis, and Michael Brecker.
Other interests include mathematics, film criticism, and philosophy; in addition, Theisen has performed the role of Oberon in a production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, for which he also wrote the incidental music.
Theisen lives with his wife (and puts up with their two cats) in Tallahassee, Florida.
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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Double Bar
Last night, I completed my Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble. The piece is essentially a re-working of my earlier Concerto for Saxophone and String Orchestra (three movements), but with the addition of new fourth movement.
Movements are as follows:
I. Lento drammatico
II. Burlesque
III. Passacaglia
IV. Molto energico e preciso
The entire work is 22 minutes long.
The new Concerto will be premiered by Lawrence Gwozdz and the University of Southern Mississippi Wind Ensemble, Thomas Fraschillo conductor. The date is set for December 6, 2007 at 7:30 PM.
What's next? Probably a concerto for viola and wind ensemble. Why? I want to write a big solo work for something other than a wind instrument, yet I like the willingness of wind ensembles to play new music. Dangers? Balance, balance, balance.
Viola plus a bunch of winds? Hindemith would be proud!
posted by Alan Theisen
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