In Wednesday’s (9/12) Mercury News (San Jose, California), Kevin Begos of the Associated Press reports, “A California composer who combines electronic club music with symphony orchestras is one of four winners of the Heinz Award for his work in the arts and humanities. Composer Mason Bates, 35, of San Francisco, has also used old car parts to create new instruments and engage a wider, younger audience. Bates is composer-in-residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and is also a DJ at late-night dance clubs. … ‘I started to recognize that the orchestra could tell so many different kinds of stories. Some stories that haven’t been told before were very ripe,’ he said. … The prize is awarded for recognition of contributions in the arts and humanities; the environment; the human condition; public policy; technology; the economy; and employment. It comes with a $250,000 individual prize. … Bates also said that the late-night electronic music he plays in clubs has some things in common with symphony music. ‘It doesn’t have a vocal line or lyrics that drive it. The things that you’re listening to, those are the same kinds of things that the orchestra is exploring,’ he said.”
Posted September 13, 2012
