Sidney Corbett Explained

Sidney Corbett (born April 26, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois) is an American composer based in Germany.

Biography

Sidney Corbett was born in Chicago in 1960, the son of a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, but grew up without a religious upbringing. In 1968, he moved with his family to California, where he played as an electric guitarist in various bands in Los Angeles at the age of fifteen and composed his first works from 1977.[1] [2]

From 1978 to 1982, he studied philosophy and composition at the University of California, San Diego, with Bernard Rands and Pauline Oliveros, among others. In 1985, Corbett continued his composition studies at Yale University, where he taught as a "Teaching Fellow in Composition" and received his doctorate in 1989 with an analysis of the work Hyperprism by the French composer Edgar Varèse. His teachers at Yale University were Jacob Druckman, whose assistant he was, as well as Martin Bresnick, Frederic Rzewski and Morton Subotnick. Corbett was awarded the BMI Student Composer Award in 1985.[3] [4]

From 1985 to 1988, he studied composition with György Ligeti at the Musikhochschule Hamburg and took part in Vladimír Karbusický's doctoral seminar at the University of Hamburg's Institute of Musicology.

Corbett has lived mainly in Europe since 1985, in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin. Since 1991 he has regularly given guest lectures and master classes in Europe and North America. From 1994–1995 he was a visiting professor for composition and analysis of contemporary music at Duke University in Durham (North Carolina).

In 2006, Corbett was appointed Professor of Composition at the Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts. There he also directs the Forum Neue Musik, which he founded, as well as the concert series of the Gesellschaft für Neue Musik Mannheim (Society for New Music Mannheim). Corbett has lived with his family in Schwetzingen since 2014.[5] [6]

As a guitarist Corbett played from 2004–2008 in the avant-garde techno/house band "Vierte Heimat" and continues to play in various improvising formations to this day.[7]

Corbett has authored articles on musical topics for many years and has also been involved in the programming of various concert series, including the College Music Society Europe (CMSE), Cologne and Musica Nova, Stuttgart.[8]

Corbett was elected to the Akademie der Künste, Berlin in 2022.[9]

Corbett's compositions are published and distributed worldwide by Edition Peters, Leipzig – London – New York.[10]

Releases of his works have appeared on Sony Classical, Cybele, Mode Records, CRI, Edition Zeitklang, Kreuzberg Records, Blue Griffen, Edition Kopernikus and Ambitus Records.[11] [12]

Compositional Output

Inspiration, sources

For Corbett, composing is a spiritual act, he concerns himself intensely with spiritual and theological questions and with all forms of mystical experience, including for example also Islamic mysticism. For him, this occupation with the spiritual is a principal source of inspiration; the spiritual is inseparable from the musical.[13] [14]

Corbett often uses holy scriptures as inspiration: he has for example used texts from the Old Testament, for example, Psalm 39 several times, e.g. Psalm 39 for mixed choir (2010), Canticum David for seven voices (2015) and Ein Fremdling, wie alle meine Väter ... for contrabbass clarinet (2010); instrumental variations on prophetic literature such as Three Lamentations [Of the Prophet Micah] for alto saxophone and organ (1998). There are also biblical figures in the operas Noach (2001) and Die Andere (2016).[15]

Corbett uses texts from the Koran, for example in Die Sieben Tore (The Seven Gates) for mezzo-soprano, speaker, flute, harp, piano and percussion (2004) or refers to the Talmud, for example in Bleeding in Babylon for bass clarinet, guitar and double bass (2004).

Corbett has also been inspired by mystical works, including texts by Meister Eckhart for Des Engels Licht for soprano, accordion, harp and string trio (2005) and Vom inneren und äußeren Menschen. Ein Narrenspiel in 13 Inseln for soprano, baritone, speaker/actor and bible shelf (2010) and Mechthild von Magdeburg on Unsér Súnde for five voices (2007).

Corbett's interest in architecture is reflected, for example, in the title of his Symphony No. 1 "Tympan" for large orchestra (1991–1992), where the tympanum, an arched decorative surface above the lintel of the portal of a cathedral, is referred to in the title. The architectural floor plans and proportions of the 11th century cathedral in Mönchengladbach form reference points for the project Die Stimmen der Wände (The Voices of the Walls) for alto flute, saxophone, trombone, electric guitar, violin and violoncello (1993), created with the artist Brigitte Zarm.[16] [17]

Literary influences can be found in his compositions for music theatre, which form a focal point of his work, but also in numerous other works. Examples include numerous vocal works such as Portals for tenor and guitar (1998) based on poems by Walt Whitman, Lieder aus der Bettlerschale for soprano and piano (1998) based on poems by Christine Lavant, Nova angeletta for alto and violin (1996) and for soprano and viola (2000) based on a poem by Francesco Petrarca, Kykloi for soprano and chamber ensemble (2009) based on a text fragment by Barbara Köhler and Rasch for soprano, clarinet, viola, violoncello and piano based on texts by Roland Barthes (2010).[18]

Corbett's instrumental music also bears witness to the composer's literary affinity, e.g. in his Third Symphony: ″Breathing the Water″ (2006), in which texts by Denise Levertov are juxtaposed with the poetry of Amal al-Jubouri. Yaël (2004) reflects Corbett's intensive, decades-long study of the work of Franco-Egyptian poet and philosopher Edmond Jabès. Works influenced by philosophical texts also include Aporia for chamber ensemble (2019), inspired by texts by Jacques Derrida and Utopia and Intimacy (Utopie und Nähe) for solo violin and six voices (2020) based on texts by Ernst Bloch.

Style

Corbett is an artist who cannot be easily placed within the new music mainstream. He is an active guitarist with considerable experience as an improvising musician in various contexts, for example with the avant-garde techno house band "Vierte Heimat", with the ensemble "Letzte Dernière" with two double basses, cello and electric guitar, in which, for example, works by Giacinto Scelsi or Rebecca Saunders were used as the basis for improvisation, and with the Lebanese musician Mazen Kerbaj.[19]

His musical training did not begin with classical music; he only learned to write music at the age of 17 – before that, as a guitarist, he had done everything by ear, i.e. by memorizing or improvising. He has thus remained very open minded towards different forms and styles of musical expression.[20]

During his study of composition in San Diego, at UCSD, from 1978, Corbett was confronted with the most extreme forms of avant-garde music; in 1982 he began his studies at Yale University and became interested for the first time in so-called traditional music - both of which influenced the musical language of his compositions at this time.[21]

His study in Hamburg with György Ligeti from 1985-1988 was a particularly strong influence. At the time, Ligeti criticized Corbett's style as being too avant-garde. Corbett was encouraged to look at his own compositions more critically and, above all, more closely.

Corbett developed his own independent musical language, one primarily characterized by strictly linear and vocally oriented melodic writing. The melodic lines are often shifted against each other at half or whole tone intervals, leading to a dissonance-rich and tonally ambiguous harmony. His music is characterized by complex, superimposed rhythmic pulsations; metrical focal points are negated, giving Corbett's music a flowing character that oscillates in large phrases while still retaining formal unity. By incorporating extended playing techniques and the often unconventional combination of instruments, a rich spectrum of timbral colors is achieved.

Works

Stage (selection)

A particular focus of Corbett's work lies in the field of music theater.

Orchestral works (selection)

Symphonies

Vocal music (selection)

Chamber music (selection)

Film music (selection)

Festivals and performances (selection)

Gaudeamus Amsterdam (1988), Biennale Zagreb (1989), New Orchestra Project – New York (1989), Steirischer Herbst (1989),[31] Eclat Stuttgart (2002),[32] Performing Arts Chicago (1995), Duke Summer Arts Festival (1996), Tacheles Berlin 2004,[33] Tonhalle Düsseldorf 2006, Klangwerkstatt Berlin (2006, 2018, 2021),[34] Klangwerktage Hamburg (2007, 2012),[35] [36] Wien Modern (2009),[37] Bregenzer Festspiele (2020, 2021),[38] [39] SinusTon-Festival für elektroakustische Musik (2014),[40] Nordic Piccolo Festival (2023), Baltic Music Days Riga (2023) et al.

Writings

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett im Gespräch mit Barbara Busch . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 21–22, 38 . 10 March 2024 . de.
  2. Book: Tadday . Ulrich . Sidney Corbett . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 115 . MUSIK-KONZEPTE . de .
  3. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett. Einblicke in sein kompositorisches Schaffen . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 15–18 . 10 March 2024 . de.
  4. Web site: Genres: BMI Student Composer Award Winners – BMI.com . 10 March 2024.
  5. Web site: Prof. Sidney Corbett – Institut für Musikforschung Mannheim . 23 February 2024 . de.
  6. Web site: über uns – Gesellschaft für Neue Musik Mannheim e. V. . 23 February 2024 . de.
  7. Web site: Sidney Corbett – Wise Music Classical . 23 February 2024.
  8. Web site: Busch . Barbara . Corbett, Sidney . MGG Online . 23 February 2024 . de . 2016.
  9. Web site: klassik.com : Akademie der Künste beruft neue Mitglieder . 23 February 2024 . de . 25 January 2022.
  10. Web site: About Us – Wise Music Classical . 23 February 2024.
  11. Web site: Stream Sidney Corbett – Listen to music albums online for free on SoundCloud . 23 February 2024.
  12. Web site: Sidney Corbett (composer) – Buy recordings – Presto Music . 23 February 2024.
  13. News: Dettinger . Stefan . Komponist Sidney Corbett: "Hendrix ist Gott", hieß es bei uns . de . 24 February 2024 . Mannheimer Morgen . 30 August 2021.
  14. Book: Barbara . Busch . Sidney Corbett im Gespräch mit Barbara Busch . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 39 . 24 February 2024 . de.
  15. Book: Schwab . Hans-Rüdiger . Tadday . Ulrich . »[...] always it is yearning toward something, in my view something eternal« . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 14–15 . de.
  16. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett im Gespräch mit Barbara Busch . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 33 . 10 March 2024 . de.
  17. Book: Corbett . Sidney . Busch . Barbara . Ortung und Abschied . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . de . 24 February 2024. 47–48.
  18. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett. Einblicke in sein kompositorisches Schaffen . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 305–311 . 10 March 2024 . de.
  19. Book: Busch . Barbara . Lessing . Kolja . Tadday . Ulrich . Mit Sidney Corbett im Gespräch. Standpunkte eines Kompositionspädagogen . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 97 . de.
  20. Book: Busch . Barbara . Lessing . Kolja . Tadday . Ulrich . Mit Sidney Corbett im Gespräch. Standpunkte eines Kompositionspädagogen . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 104–105 . de.
  21. Book: Barbara . Busch . Sidney Corbett im Gespräch mit Barbara Busch . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 23–25 . 10 March 2024 . de.
  22. Book: Waldschmidt . Ralf . Tadday . Ulrich . "Aktualität" und "Heiligkeit" oder: Worüber heute eine Oper schreiben? Zum Verhältnis von zeitgenössischem Musiktheater und Publikum am Beispiel von Sidney Corbett. . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 47–50 . de.
  23. Web site: Wie Mister Corbett in der NTM-Oper die Wirklichkeit entgiftet . 2024-04-18.
  24. Book: Waldschmidt . Ralf . Tadday . Ulrich . "Aktualität" und "Heiligkeit" oder: Worüber heute eine Oper schreiben? Zum Verhältnis von zeitgenössischem Musiktheater und Publikum am Beispiel von Sidney Corbett. . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 52–55 . de.
  25. Book: Reininghaus . Ralf . Frieder . Ulrich . Erfahrbare Humanität. Zu Sidney Corbetts Musiktheater . July 2022 . edition text+kritik . München . 978-3-96707-674-5 . 76 . de.
  26. Web site: Konkrete Utopien: Sidney Corbett – KlangForum Heidelberg . 2024-04-19.
  27. Web site: Sidney Corbett – Suspended Disbelief . 2024-04-20.
  28. Web site: BRACHLAND – annakatharina . 2024-04-26.
  29. Web site: FRAGMENTS OF DESTRUCTION – annakatharina . 2024-04-26.
  30. Web site: Half the heart ∙ Die Hälfte des Herzens ∙ Musikfilm von Andreas Rochholl . 2024-04-26.
  31. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett. Einblicke in sein kompositorisches Schaffen . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 16–18 . 19 April 2024 . de.
  32. Book: Busch . Barbara . Briefwechsel von Sidney Corbett mit Christoph Hein. Ein "Arbeitstagebuch" zur Oper Noach . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . de . 24 February 2024. 115.
  33. Book: Busch . Barbara . Sidney Corbett. Einblicke in sein kompositorisches Schaffen . 2011 . BIS-Verlag . Oldenburg . 978-3-8142-2256-1 . 283–312 . 19 April 2024 . de.
  34. Web site: Archiv – Klangwerkstatt Berlin 2022, Festival für neue Musik . 2024-04-19.
  35. Web site: Hamburger Klangwerktage: festivalKonzerte: "Refractions on Ligeti" – Kampnagel . 2024-04-19.
  36. Web site: Hamburger Klangwerktage, Hamburger Symphoniker: Abschlusskonzert - Kampnagel . 2024-04-19.
  37. Web site: Sidney Corbett – wienmodern . 2024-04-19.
  38. Web site: Konzert im KUB – Chronik der Bregenzer Festspiele 2020 . 2024-04-19.
  39. Web site: Konzert im KUB – Chronik der Bregenzer Festspiele 2021 . 2024-04-19.
  40. Web site: Manhattan Research: Das Eröffnungskonzert des Magdeburger SinusTon-Festival für elektroakustische Musik – Bachtrack . 2024-04-19.