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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Sunday, June 19, 2005
Hola, Sequenza21!
I'm very glad to be a new member of the Sequenza21 blogging crew. I promise that I'll write informative/stimulating/amusing posts and contribute to the overall well-being of the Sequenza21.com site.
As I am on vacation for the next couple of days, I may not be posting anything too profound until next week.
However, I do have a great idea for my first "real" post. It will be a response to the following quote by Pierre Boulez: "Anyone who has not felt -- I do not say understand -- but felt the necessity of the dodecaphonic language is USELESS." Ah, yes. The loved and loathed Pierre. It's time to throw down the gauntlet.
As for now, I am heading to eastern Michigan and then on to Cedar Point (an amusement park in northern Ohio). Perhaps I will be inspired to write a piece about a roller coaster ride! Honegger had "Pacific 231" - I have the Magnum 2000. Does a piece exist on the subject of coasters? The closest thing I can think of is Adams' "Short Ride on a Fast Machine".
posted by Alan Theisen
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