Benjamin Broening

Benjamin Broening’s music couples his interest in the expressive power of sound with a sense of line derived from his background as a singer. His orchestral, choral, chamber, and electroacoustic music has been performed in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Canada, and across the United States. Recent works include a piece for flute and electronics for Camilla Hoitenga, a clarinet concerto for Richard Hawkins, a multi-movement work for Zeitgeist, a sextet for Ensemble U: (Estonia), two works for clarinet and electronics for Arthur Campbell and choral/instrumental works for the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia and the James River Singers, as well pieces for pianist Daniel Koppelman and eighth blackbird.

Trembling Air, a disc of his chamber music recorded by eighth blackbird and released in 2012 by Bridge Records, has been praised as “haunting,” “enchanting” and “terrific” (Cleveland Plain Dealer), “magical” (Fanfare), “other-worldly” (Gramophone), and “alluring” and “captivating” (Audiophile Audition). Recombinant Nocturnes, a 2011 disk of music for piano recorded by Duo Runedako, released on Innova Recordings, has been called a  “gorgeous disc of music” and “thoughtful, eloquent, and disarmingly direct” by New Music Box, "deep, troubling” by François Couture and “Lovely, delicate, calming” by Los Angeles’ KFJC. Other recordings have been released by Ensemble U: in Estonia and on the Centaur, Everglade, Equilibrium, MIT Press, Oberlin Music, and SEAMUS record labels.

A recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship to Estonia, Broening has also received recognition and awards from the American Composers Forum, Virginia Commission for the Arts, ACS/Andrew Mellon Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, the Presser Music Foundation, as well as a teaching award from the University of Richmond.

Broening is founder and artistic director of Third Practice, an annual festival of electroacoustic music at the University of Richmond, where he is Associate Professor of Music. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Cambridge University, Yale University, and Wesleyan University.

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