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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Friday, April 28, 2006
One More Week
The 2006 Integrales New Music Festival (hosted by the USM School of Music and yours truly) kicks off a week from tonight (May 5, 6, and 7).
Here is the official line-up. Feel free to comment!
Intégrales 2006 Festival Concert - Friday, May 5
Sonate für Alt-Saxofon und Klavier (2003) – Alan Theisen
Lux Aeterna (1966) – György Ligeti
Floating (1980/2003) – Phillip Schroeder
March from Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (1950/1966) – Elliott Carter
Flute Concerto (1933) – Jacques Ibert
David Parks, Guest Recital (saxophone) - Saturday, May 6
Billie (2003) – Jacob TerVeldhuis
Meditation and Exorcism (2003) – Shawn Allison
Night Bird (1997) – Karen Tanaka
WhatWALL (2003) – Ken Ueno
Suite Rhapsodica (1992) – Jindrich Feld
Phillip Schroeder Masterclass - Saturday, May 6
Canticle of the Rose (2006)* - Sonja Johnson
Etude No. 1 in C Major (2006)* – Evan Hurley
Intégrales 2006 Guest Artist Concert - Saturday, May 6
The Dead Moth Tango (1990) – William Bolcom
Dance of the Honey Monkey (1999) – Eric Moe
Blazing Macaw (1991) – Charles Nelson Mason
The Haroun Piano Book (2003) – Charles Wuorinen
Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues (1979) – Frederic Rzewski
Streams of Ascension (1998) – Phillip Schroeder
Movement in Ten Parts – Phillip Schroeder
Intégrales 2006 Final Concert - Sunday, May 7
In Pursuit of Mythical Beasts (2006)* – James Everette Minchew
Ritorno (2006)* – Alan Theisen
Maeander (2005)* – Marcus Ballard
Figment No.3 “Euterpe” (2005)* – James Everette Minchew
Reminiscence – Phillip Schroeder
Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet (1953) – György Ligeti
Wind Quintet (2006)* – Phillip Schroeder
posted by Alan Theisen
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