Waleed Howrani
Encyclopedia
Waleed Howrani is a Lebanese-American composer
and pianist
. He was born in New York, spent much of his childhood in Beirut and studied piano at Moscow’s Central Music School and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
.
By the time Howrani was nineteen, he had been awarded the Certificate of Honor at the International Tchaikovsky Competition
and the Laureate at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition
, paving the way to concert tours in the former Soviet Union, East and West Europe, the Middle East, as well as in the Americas.
After settling in the United States in 1973, Howrani pursued his lifelong interest in creating music by studying composition with William Albright
. As a composer, he has been the recipient of a number of honors, including the Michigan Council for the Arts Award for his Animal Rags for piano; the Artistic Excellence Award from Wayne County, Michigan; two Khalil Gibran Fine Arts Awards; and a grant from the Hariri Foundation. In 2008 his Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Strings and Percussion received its world premiere in London by the English Chamber Orchestra
under the baton of Clark Rundell, with Simon Haram as soloist.
In addition to giving concerts, Howrani continues to compose and to teach. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“Critics worldwide have sung their praises for Howrani. His technical command, close attention to minute details, and lucid interpretive powers are buoyed by a poetic sensitivity that is at once refined and free spirited. - The Washington Post
Chamber Music:
Piano:
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. He was born in New York, spent much of his childhood in Beirut and studied piano at Moscow’s Central Music School and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
Biography
Born in New York in 1948, Waleed Howrani was reared in Beirut where he studied piano, theory and harmony privately while engaging in trials of his first Opuses. At thirteen, he came to the attention of Aram Khatchaturian, who arranged for him to receive scholarships to study piano at Moscow’s Central Music School and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (1964 -1973). He spent three years there (1966-1969) under the tutelage of Emil GilelsEmil Gilels
Emil Grigoryevich Gilels was a Soviet pianist, widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.His last name is sometimes transliterated Hilels.-Biography:...
.
By the time Howrani was nineteen, he had been awarded the Certificate of Honor at the International Tchaikovsky Competition
International Tchaikovsky Competition
The International Tchaikovsky Competition is a classical music competition held every four years in Moscow, Russia for pianists, violinists, and cellists between 16 and 30 years of age, and singers between 19 and 32 years of age...
and the Laureate at the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition
Queen Elisabeth Music Competition
The Queen Elisabeth Music Competition, a founding member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions has been, since its foundation, considered the world over to be one of the most prestigious and most difficult. It is devoted to violin , piano , to composition and to singing...
, paving the way to concert tours in the former Soviet Union, East and West Europe, the Middle East, as well as in the Americas.
After settling in the United States in 1973, Howrani pursued his lifelong interest in creating music by studying composition with William Albright
William Albright
William Albright may refer to:*William F. Albright , evangelical Methodist archaeologist, biblical authority, linguist and expert on ceramics*William Albright , American composer, pianist, and organist...
. As a composer, he has been the recipient of a number of honors, including the Michigan Council for the Arts Award for his Animal Rags for piano; the Artistic Excellence Award from Wayne County, Michigan; two Khalil Gibran Fine Arts Awards; and a grant from the Hariri Foundation. In 2008 his Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Strings and Percussion received its world premiere in London by the English Chamber Orchestra
English Chamber Orchestra
The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
under the baton of Clark Rundell, with Simon Haram as soloist.
In addition to giving concerts, Howrani continues to compose and to teach. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
“Critics worldwide have sung their praises for Howrani. His technical command, close attention to minute details, and lucid interpretive powers are buoyed by a poetic sensitivity that is at once refined and free spirited. - The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
Works
Orchestral:- 1990: Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Strings and Percussion, 1990
Chamber Music:
- 1982: Exotica for Alto Saxophone & Piano
- 1984: Life Cycle for Flute & Piano
Piano:
- 1986: Hikaya Raheeba, (Alarming Story)
- 1988: Animal Rags
- 1993: Bayoogie Woogie
- 1995: Lebanese Rhapsody
- 1998: Alma Mater
- 2003: Nemo’s Symphony
- 2005: Fire Dance