Aaron Jay Kernis, born on January 15, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, stands as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary classical music. His work, marked by a vibrant blend of traditional and innovative elements, has earned him acclaim as a composer who bridges genres and styles with remarkable ease.
Kernis grew up in a musically nurturing environment, beginning his formal music studies at an early age. He attended the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where his talent was evident. He furthered his education at the Manhattan School of Music and later studied at the Yale School of Music. At Yale, he was influenced by composers such as Jacob Druckman and Roger Sessions, which helped shape his early compositional voice.
Kernis's orchestral compositions are widely celebrated for their rich textures and inventive use of musical language. One of his most notable works is "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra," which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1998. This concerto exemplifies Kernis's ability to fuse emotional depth with technical mastery. His "Colored Field," a work commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra, showcases his gift for creating lush, evocative soundscapes that capture a wide range of emotional experiences. Kernis’s music often features elements of jazz, rock, and other genres, demonstrating his eclectic influences and ability to appeal to a broad audience.
Kernis's piano works reflect a deep engagement with both the technical demands of the instrument and the expressive possibilities it offers. His style is characterized by a blend of traditional elements and modern sensibilities, creating compositions that are both challenging for the performer and engaging for the listener.
The suite "Before Sleep and Dreams," composed in 1992, stands out as one of Kernis’s most evocative and intricate works for solo piano. This suite consists of several movements, each of which delves into different aspects of the piano's expressive range. It captures the liminal space between wakefulness and sleep, exploring themes of reflection, transition, and introspection.
Another fabulous piano piece is “Speed Limit Rag (a slow drag)," which captures the ragtime genre with a Gershwin-like flair.
Kernis’s impact extends beyond his compositions. He has served as a mentor and educator, influencing a new generation of composers through his teaching and workshops. His role as a professor at institutions such as the Yale School of Music has allowed him to pass on his knowledge and passion for music to aspiring composers.
Kernis’s works have been performed by leading orchestras and soloists worldwide, and his contributions to both orchestral and solo piano music continue to be celebrated for their originality and emotional depth. His music is a reflection of his ability to blend tradition with innovation, creating compositions that are both contemporary and timeless.
Selected Performances
Speed Limit Rag (2001) - "Speed Limit Rag (a slow drag)" was written by Kernis in 2001. I asked him how how came up with the title and he responded "At the time I wrote the rag, the general speed limit around the U.S. was 65- and it was written for David Zinman’s 65th birthday." The piece itself is a beautiful testament to the ragtime genre, with Kernis throwing is some fun pianistic tricks along the way! The rag is written in an unusual 12/8 time signature.
Locating The Music
You can find all of Kernis's compositions at Classical on Demand.
Compositions for Piano
Cycle II (1979 - 2pf, 4 or 8 hands)
Lullaby (1987 - from “Before Sleep and Dreams”)
Before Sleep and Dreams (1990)
Superstar Etude No. 1 (1992)
Speed Limit Rag (2001)
Superstar Etude No. 2 (2002)
Linda’s Waltz (2003)
Playing Monster (2006)
Ballad out of the Blues – Superstar Etude #3 (2008)
Morningsong and Mist (2011)
Toward the Setting Sun (2014)
Preludes (2020)
Epilogue: End of the Dream (2020)
Give Us Two Beautiful Bells (2020)
Elegy - To Those We Lost (2020)
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