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{{Short description|American composer}}
{{Short description|American classical music composer and pedagogue}}
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'''Jonathan Leshnoff''' (born September 8, 1973) is an American classical music composer and pedagogue.
'''Jonathan Leshnoff''' (born September 8, 1973) is an American classical music composer and [[Pedagogy|pedagogue]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Leshnoff |url=https://www.towson.edu/cofac/departments/music/facultystaff/jleshnoff.html |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=Towson University |language=en}}</ref>


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==


Jonathan Leshnoff was born on September 8, 1973, in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]] to Susan and Steven Leshnoff; his mother was an artist, and his father an engineer. For his undergraduate studies, Leshnoff attended [[Johns Hopkins University]] and [[Peabody Conservatory]] concurrently, earning bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Music Composition, respectively. He went on to receive a Master’s of Music from [[Peabody Conservatory]], then received his Doctorate of Music from the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]]. As a child, Leshnoff was raised observing [[Conservative Judaism]]. During his time at [[Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins]], he delved deeper into his beliefs and began to practice [[Orthodox Judaism]].<ref name="Baltimore Jewish Times 2016">{{cite web | title=Transcending The Music | website=Baltimore Jewish Times | date=December 16, 2016 | url=https://www.jewishtimes.com/transcending-the-music/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
Jonathan Leshnoff was born in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]] to Susan and Steven Leshnoff; his mother was an artist, and his father an engineer. For his undergraduate studies, Leshnoff attended [[Johns Hopkins University]] and [[Peabody Conservatory]] concurrently, earning bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Music Composition, respectively. He went on to receive a Master’s of Music from Peabody, then received his Doctorate of Music from the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]]. Leshnoff was raised observing [[Conservative Judaism]]. During his student years at [[Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins]], he delved deeper into his beliefs and began to practice [[Orthodox Judaism]].<ref name="Baltimore Jewish Times 2016">{{cite web | title=Transcending The Music | website=Baltimore Jewish Times | date=December 16, 2016 | url=https://www.jewishtimes.com/transcending-the-music/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Recordings by Jonathan Leshnoff {{!}} Now available to stream and purchase at Naxos |url=https://www.naxos.com/Bio/Person/Jonathan_Leshnoff/75727 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=www.naxos.com}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


Currently, Leshnoff lives in [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]] where he works as a composer and is a Professor of Music at [[Towson University]]. He has composed over 74 works including four symphonies, twelve concerti, four string quartets, four oratorios, and over 15 orchestral works. His compositions have been performed by over 80 orchestras worldwide including the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[Baltimore Symphony Orchestra]], [[Dallas Symphony Orchestra]], [[Kansas City Symphony]], [[Nashville Symphony|Nashville Symphony Orchestra]], [[Philadelphia Orchestra]], and [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], among many others. Leshnoff's compositions have also been premiered by classical music's most celebrated soloists, including [[Gil Shaham]], [[Roberto Díaz (violist)|Roberto Díaz]], [[Johannes Moser (cellist)|Johannes Moser]], [[Manuel Barrueco]], and [[Joyce Yang]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
Leshnoff lives in [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]], where he composes and is a professor of music at [[Towson University]]. He has composed scores of works, including four string quartets, four oratorios, twelve concerti, and four symphonies. His compositions have been performed by more than eighty orchestras worldwide including the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[Baltimore Symphony Orchestra]], [[Dallas Symphony Orchestra]], [[Kansas City Symphony]], [[Nashville Symphony|Nashville Symphony Orchestra]], [[Philadelphia Orchestra]], and [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], among many others. Leshnoff's compositions have also been premiered by soloists including violinist [[Gil Shaham]], violist [[Roberto Díaz (violist)|Roberto Díaz]], cellist [[Johannes Moser (cellist)|Johannes Moser]], guitarist [[Manuel Barrueco]], and pianist [[Joyce Yang]].<ref name=":0" />


Notable commissions include his "Clarinet Concerto”, “Zohar Oratorio", “Violin Concerto No.2”, and “Piano Concerto.” “Clarinet Concerto" was commissioned by the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] and the [[Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra|Santa Barbara Symphony]] and premiered in April 2016 with the orchestra and Principal Clarinetist [[Ricardo Morales]] under Music Director [[Yannick Nézet-Séguin|Yannick Nezet-Seguin]]. “Zohar Oratorio" was co-commissioned by [[Carnegie Hall]] and the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] and was premiered with conductor [[Robert Spano]] in April 2016 and subsequently recorded by the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra|Atlanta Symphony]]. The [[Dallas Symphony Orchestra]] and [[Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra|Harrisburg Symphony]] co-commissioned Leshnoff’s 2nd Violin Concerto, and Dallas premiered the work with DSO concertmaster in May 2018 on Maestro [[Jaap van Zweden|Jaap van Zweden's]] final concert as Music Director of the orchestra. It has subsequently been recorded with [[Noah Bendix-Balgley]] and the [[Oklahoma City Philharmonic]] and will be released on [[Naxos (company)|Naxos]] in 2023. In November 2019, soloist [[Joyce Yang]] premiered his “Piano Concerto” with the [[Kansas City Symphony]] and Music Director [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]], and subsequently recorded the work for Reference Recordings label. {{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
Notable recent commissions include his Clarinet Concerto (2015), the [[oratorio]] ''Zohar'' (2015), the Violin Concerto No. 2 (2017), and his 2019 Piano Concerto. The Clarinet Concerto was jointly commissioned by the [[Philadelphia Orchestra]] and the [[Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra]], and premiered in April 2016 in Philadelphia with principal clarinetist [[Ricardo Morales]] under Music Director [[Yannick Nézet-Séguin]]. ''Zohar'' was co-commissioned by [[Carnegie Hall]] and the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], premiered under conductor [[Robert Spano]] in April 2016, and subsequently recorded by that ensemble. The [[Dallas Symphony Orchestra]] and [[Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra]] co-commissioned Leshnoff’s second violin concerto, and Dallas premiered the work featuring soloist Alexander Kerr in May 2018 at [[Jaap van Zweden]]'s final concert as music director of that orchestra. It has since been recorded by [[Noah Bendix-Balgley]] and the [[Oklahoma City Philharmonic]] on a 2023 [[Naxos (company)|Naxos]] album. In November 2019, Joyce Yang premiered his Piano Concerto<ref name=":0" /> with the [[Kansas City Symphony]] and Music Director [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]]; it was subsequently released on the Reference Recordings label.


⚫
While a large portion of his work is orchestral, Leshnoff has composed for many chamber ensembles and symphonic bands. The [[United States Marine Band]] commissioned a Symphony for Winds to mark the 225th anniversary of that ensemble in 2023;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://express.adobe.com/page/RNUVDPM7lS8cc/#aspire-%E2%80%9Cthe-president%E2%80%99s-own%E2%80%9D-at-225|title=Aspire: "The President's Own" at 225|website=United States Marine Band|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}</ref> it had previously recorded a transcription of Leshnoff's Clarinet Concerto on its 2017 album ''Arioso''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Audio-Resources/Educational-Series/Arioso/|title=Arioso|website=United States Marine Band|accessdate=April 6, 2023}}</ref> The [[United States Navy Band]], [[United States Air Force Band|US Air Force Band]], [[Frost School of Music]] Band and [[Towson University]] Symphonic Band have also performed his band works.
There are eight albums exclusively featuring Leshnoff's music, including several discs on the [[Naxos (company)|Naxos]] American Classics label and a 2016 recording of two major Leshnoff works with the [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]]. In May 2020, Reference Recordings released a disc featuring the world premiere performance of Leshnoff's Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon by the [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]] and conductor [[Manfred Honeck]], which made it to the top of the classical Billboard charts.


Leshnoff has taught at [[Towson University]] for over twenty years on subjects including orchestration, contemporary music history, music entrepreneurship, and theory. He was the 2013 recipient of the University System of Maryland Regents Award in Scholarship, recognizing a select faculty member from the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] system for significant publication profile. The composer has entrusted all of his manuscripts to the special collections archive at Towson's Cook Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towson.edu/cofac/departments/music/facultystaff/jleshnoff.html|title=Jonathan Leshnoff|website=Towson University|accessdate=August 5, 2019}}</ref>
⚫
While a large percentage of his work is orchestral, Leshnoff has composed for many small ensembles and concert bands. Band performances of Leshnoff's works include the [[United States Marine Band]], which include a 2023 commission for the 250th anniversary of the USMB, as well as a transcription of Leshnoff's Clarinet Concerto on its 2017 Arioso recording. The [[United States Navy Band]], [[United States Air Force Band|US Air Force Band]], [[Frost School of Music]] Band and [[Towson University]] Symphonic Band have also performed his band works.

Leshnoff has been at [[Towson University]] for over 20 years where he has taught orchestration, contemporary music history, music entrepreneurship and theory. He has entrusted all of his manuscripts to the special collections archive at Cook Library.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.towson.edu/cofac/departments/music/facultystaff/jleshnoff.html|title=Jonathan Leshnoff|website=Towson University|accessdate=August 5, 2019}}</ref> In addition to his position at [[Towson University]], he was the 2013 recipient of the University System of Maryland Regents Award in Scholarship. A recognition awarded to a faculty member from the entire [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] system for significant publication profile.


=== Awards and recognition ===
=== Awards and recognition ===


In late 2019, the [[Nashville Symphony|Nashville Symphony's]] album—released in May 2019— featuring his works, including his fourth symphony commissioned by the symphony in collaboration with the [[Violins of Hope]], was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium|GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Compendium]].<ref name="Feiler Merwin 2019">{{cite web | last1=Feiler | first1=Alan | last2=Merwin | first2=Ted | title=Baltimore-Based Composer Jonathan Leshnoff Nominated for a Grammy | website=JMORE | date=November 25, 2019 | url=https://jmoreliving.com/2019/11/25/baltimore-based-composer-jonathan-leshnoff-nominated-for-grammy/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> In an independent study, the [[Baltimore Symphony Orchestra]] found Leshnoff to be among the top ten most performed living composers internationally (tied for 7th) among American orchestras in the 2015–16 season.
In late 2019, a [[Nashville Symphony]] album featuring Leshnoff's works, including his fourth symphony (commissioned by that orchestra in collaboration with the [[Violins of Hope]]), was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium|GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Compendium]].<ref name="Feiler Merwin 2019">{{cite web | last1=Feiler | first1=Alan | last2=Merwin | first2=Ted | title=Baltimore-Based Composer Jonathan Leshnoff Nominated for a Grammy | website=JMORE | date=November 25, 2019 | url=https://jmoreliving.com/2019/11/25/baltimore-based-composer-jonathan-leshnoff-nominated-for-grammy/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref> In an independent study, the [[Baltimore Symphony Orchestra]] found Leshnoff to be among the ten most performed living composers internationally (tied for 7th) among American orchestras in the 2015–2016 season.


===Selected works===
===Selected works===


Leshnoff's catalog includes over 74 works, including four symphonies, fourteen concerti, and five oratorios.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jonathanleshnoff.com/cat/ctlg2017.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828190606/http://www.jonathanleshnoff.com/cat/ctlg2017.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Leshnoff's catalog includes roughly eighty works to date, including four symphonies, fourteen concerti, and five oratorios.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jonathanleshnoff.com/cat/ctlg2017.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828190606/http://www.jonathanleshnoff.com/cat/ctlg2017.pdf |archive-date=August 28, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many of his scores are available from the music publisher and distributor [[Theodore Presser Company]].


* ''Symphony No. 1: Forgotten Chants and Refrains'' (2004)
* Symphony No. 1, ''Forgotten Chants and Refrains'' (2004)
* ''Violin Concerto No. 1'' (2005)
* Violin Concerto No. 1 (2005)
* ''Double Concerto for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra'' (2007)
* Double Concerto for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra (2007)
* ''Rush'' (2008)
* ''Rush'' (2008)
* ''Starburst'' (2010)
* ''Starburst'' (2010)
* ''Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra'' (2011)<ref name="Garcia 2020">{{cite web | last=Garcia | first=Jacob Adam | title=A Comprehensive Study of Three Compositions for Percussion by Composer Jonathan Leshnoff, "Run" (2003), "…without a chance" (2003), and "Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra" (2011), including a Structural and Aesthetic Analysis | website=UNT Digital Library | date=April 7, 2020 | url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1808370/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra (2011)<ref name="Garcia 2020">{{cite web | last=Garcia | first=Jacob Adam | title=A Comprehensive Study of Three Compositions for Percussion by Composer Jonathan Leshnoff, "Run" (2003), "…without a chance" (2003), and "Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra" (2011), including a Structural and Aesthetic Analysis | website=UNT Digital Library | date=April 7, 2020 | url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1808370/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* ''Hope: An Oratorio'' (2011)
* ''Hope,'' oratorio (2011)
* ''Cello Concerto'' (2012)
* Cello Concerto (2012)
* ''Symphony No. 2: Innerspace'' (2014)
* Symphony No. 2, ''Innerspace'' (2014)
* ''Zohar'' Oratorio (2015)<ref name="Washington Jewish Week">{{cite web | title=Composer Jonathan Leshnoff brings music, mysticism to Strathmore | website=Washington Jewish Week | date=March 16, 2017 | url=https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/composer-jonathan-leshnoff-brings-music-mysticism-to-strathmore/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* ''Zohar,'' oratorio (2015)<ref name="Washington Jewish Week">{{cite web | title=Composer Jonathan Leshnoff brings music, mysticism to Strathmore | website=Washington Jewish Week | date=March 16, 2017 | url=https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/composer-jonathan-leshnoff-brings-music-mysticism-to-strathmore/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* ''Chamber Concerto for Violin and Orchestra'' (2015)
* Chamber Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2015)
* ''Symphony No. 3'' (2015)<ref>{{cite news |last=Neas |first=Patrick |date=May 15, 2016 |title=Composer Jonathan Leshnoff explores the depths of war in world premiere symphony |url=https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/classical-music-dance/article77235677.html |work=[[The Kansas City Star]] |location=Kansas City |access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* Symphony No. 3 (2015)<ref>{{cite news |last=Neas |first=Patrick |date=May 15, 2016 |title=Composer Jonathan Leshnoff explores the depths of war in world premiere symphony |url=https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/classical-music-dance/article77235677.html |work=[[The Kansas City Star]] |location=Kansas City |access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* ''Clarinet Concerto'' (2015)
* Clarinet Concerto, ''Nekudim'' (2015)
* ''Symphony No. 4, "Heichalos"'' (2017)<ref name="Unger 1995">{{cite web | last=Unger | first=Mike | title=Fall 2019 – TU Magazine | website=Towson University | date=January 10, 1995 | url=https://www.towson.edu/magazine/fall-2019/instruments-change.html | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* Symphony No. 4, ''Heichalos'' (2017)<ref name="Unger 1995">{{cite web | last=Unger | first=Mike | title=Fall 2019 – TU Magazine | website=Towson University | date=January 10, 1995 | url=https://www.towson.edu/magazine/fall-2019/instruments-change.html | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* ''Violin Concerto No. 2'' (2017)
* Violin Concerto No. 2 (2017)
* ''Piano Concerto'' (2019)<ref name="Kansas City Symphony 2019">{{cite web | title=KC STUDIO: Kansas City Symphony Presents World Premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff's Piano Concerto | website=Kansas City Symphony | date=November 8, 2019 | url=https://www.kcsymphony.org/2019/11/08/kc-studio-kansas-city-symphony-presents-world-premiere-of-jonathan-leshnoffs-piano-concerto/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* Piano Concerto (2019)<ref name="Kansas City Symphony 2019">{{cite web | title=KC STUDIO: Kansas City Symphony Presents World Premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff's Piano Concerto | website=Kansas City Symphony | date=November 8, 2019 | url=https://www.kcsymphony.org/2019/11/08/kc-studio-kansas-city-symphony-presents-world-premiere-of-jonathan-leshnoffs-piano-concerto/ | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
*''Of Thee I Sing'' (2020)
* ''Of Thee I Sing,'' for chorus and orchestra (2020)
*''Symphony for Winds'' (2023)
* Symphony for Winds (2023)


===Discography===
===Discography===


⚫
* Reference Recordings FR-738: Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4; Leshnoff: Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon. [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]]; [[Manfred Honeck]], conductor; Michael Rusinek, clarinet; Nancy Goeres, bassoon.
{{asof|2023}}, eleven major recordings of Leshnoff's work have been released:<ref name="Jonathan Leshnoff">{{cite web | title=Listen | website=Jonathan Leshnoff | url=https://www.jonathanleshnoff.com/listen | access-date=December 2, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Naxos (company)|Naxos]] 8.559809: Leshnoff: Symphony No. 4, ''Heichalos''; Guitar Concerto; ''Starburst''. [[Nashville Symphony]]; [[Giancarlo Guerrero]], conductor; [[Jason Vieaux]], guitar.

* Naxos 8.559398, “American Classics” series: Leshnoff: Violin Concerto [No. 1]; String Quartet No. 1, "Pearl German"; ''Distant Reflections.'' [[Baltimore Chamber Orchestra]]; [[Markand Thakar]], conductor; Charles Wetherbee, violin; [[Carpe Diem String Quartet]].
⚫
*Reference Recordings, ''[[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky|Tchaikovsky]]: Symphony No. 4 & Leshnoff: Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon'', [[Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra]], [[Manfred Honeck]] conductor, Michael Rusinek and Nancy Goeres, soloists <ref>catalogue number FR-738</ref>
* [[Naxos (company)|Naxos]], ''Jonathan Leshnoff: Symphony No. 4 ‘Heichalos,’ Guitar Concerto, Starburst'', [[Nashville Symphony]], [[Giancarlo Guerrero]] conductor, [[Jason Vieaux]], guitar <ref>catalogue number 8.559809</ref>
* Reference Recordings FR-739: Leshnoff: Symphony No. 3; Piano Concerto. [[Kansas City Symphony]]; [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]], conductor; [[Joyce Yang]], pianist; Stephen Powell, baritone.
*[[Naxos (company)|Naxos]], “American Classics” Series: Violin Concerto, String Quartet #1, Distant Reflections, [[Baltimore Chamber Orchestra]], [[Markand Thakar]] conductor, [[Carpe Diem String Quartet]].<ref>catalogue number: 8.559398</ref>
* Naxos 8.559670, “American Classics” series: Leshnoff: Symphony No. 1, ''Forgotten Chants and Refrains''; Double Concerto for Violin and Viola; ''Rush.'' IRIS Orchestra; [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]], conductor; Charles Wetherbee, violin; Roberto Díaz, viola.
* Naxos 8.559721, “American Classics” series: ''Jonathan Leshnoff: Chamber Music'' [String Quartet No. 2, "Edelmann"; ''Seven Glances at a Mirage; Cosmic Variations on a Haunted Theme; Without a Chance'']. Carpe Diem String Quartet; various artists.
*Reference Recordings, ''Symphony No. 3 & Piano Concerto'', [[Kansas City Symphony]], [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]], conductor, [[Joyce Yang]] and Stephen Powell, soloists <ref>catalog number FR-739</ref>
* MSR Classics 1765: Leshnoff: String Quartet No. 3, "Miller Kahn"; String Quartet No. 4; Four Dances. [[Carpe Diem String Quartet]].
*Naxos, “American Classics” Series: ''Symphonic Music of J. Leshnoff'', IRIS Orchestra, [[Michael Stern (conductor)|Michael Stern]] conductor.<ref>catalogue number: 8.559670</ref>
* MSR Classics 1155: Haydn, ''et al.'' Works for Trumpet and Organ. Includes Leshnoff, ''Cosmic Echoes.'' Steven Hendrickson, trumpet; William Neil, organ.
*Naxos, “American Classics” Series: ''Chamber Music of J. Leshnoff'', IRIS Orchestra catalogue number: 8.559398.
⚫
* ASO Media CD-1008: ''Zohar''; Symphony No. 2, ''Innerspace.'' [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]] and Chorus; [[Robert Spano]], conductor; [[Jessica Rivera]], soprano; [[Nmon Ford]], baritone.
*MSR Classics: ''String Quartets No. 3 and 4 and Four Dances'', performed by the [[Carpe Diem String Quartet]].<ref>catalogue number: 1765</ref>
* USMB CD-33: ''Arioso.'' Includes Leshnoff, Clarinet Concerto, ''Nekudim.'' [[United States Marine Band]]; Col. [[Jason K. Fettig]], conductor; [[Ricardo Morales]], guest clarinet.
*MSR Classics: ''Cosmic Echoes'', performed by Steven Hendrickson and William Neil.<ref>catalogue number: 1155, 2005</ref>
⚫
* Naxos 8.579137: ''Berkeley, Brahms, Leshnoff: Horn Trios.'' David Cooper, horn; [[Alexander Kerr (professor)|Alexander Kerr]], violin; [[Orion Weiss]], piano.
⚫
*ASO Media, “World Premiere Recordings” Series: ''Zohar and Symphony No. 2 “Innerspace,”'' [[Atlanta Symphony Orchestra]], [[Robert Spano]], conductor, [[Jessica Rivera]] and [[Nmon Ford]], soloists <ref>catalogue number 1008</ref>
* Naxos 8.559927: Leshnoff: Violin Concerto No. 2; Elegy; ''Of Thee I Sing.'' [[Oklahoma City Philharmonic]]; Canterbury Voices; [[Alexander Mickelthwate]], conductor; [[Noah Bendix-Balgley]], violin.
*[[United States Marine Band]] “Arioso”, Col. [[Jason K. Fettig]], [[Ricardo Morales]], clarinet <ref>Catalogue number USNB CD 33</ref>
⚫
* Naxos, “Berkely, Brahms, Leshnoff Horn Trios,” [[Alexander Kerr (professor)|Alexander Kerr]], David Cooper, [[Orion Weiss]].<ref>catalogue number 8.579137</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Leshnoff, Jonathan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leshnoff, Jonathan}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American composers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century classical composers]]
[[Category:21st-century American classical composers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:Jewish classical composers]]
[[Category:Jewish American classical composers]]
[[Category:Musicians from New Brunswick, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from New Brunswick, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni]]
[[Category:Johns Hopkins University alumni]]

Latest revision as of 21:39, 6 November 2024

Jonathan Leshnoff (born September 8, 1973) is an American classical music composer and pedagogue.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Jonathan Leshnoff was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Susan and Steven Leshnoff; his mother was an artist, and his father an engineer. For his undergraduate studies, Leshnoff attended Johns Hopkins University and Peabody Conservatory concurrently, earning bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Music Composition, respectively. He went on to receive a Master’s of Music from Peabody, then received his Doctorate of Music from the University of Maryland. Leshnoff was raised observing Conservative Judaism. During his student years at Johns Hopkins, he delved deeper into his beliefs and began to practice Orthodox Judaism.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

Leshnoff lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he composes and is a professor of music at Towson University. He has composed scores of works, including four string quartets, four oratorios, twelve concerti, and four symphonies. His compositions have been performed by more than eighty orchestras worldwide including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, among many others. Leshnoff's compositions have also been premiered by soloists including violinist Gil Shaham, violist Roberto Díaz, cellist Johannes Moser, guitarist Manuel Barrueco, and pianist Joyce Yang.[1]

Notable recent commissions include his Clarinet Concerto (2015), the oratorio Zohar (2015), the Violin Concerto No. 2 (2017), and his 2019 Piano Concerto. The Clarinet Concerto was jointly commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra, and premiered in April 2016 in Philadelphia with principal clarinetist Ricardo Morales under Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Zohar was co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, premiered under conductor Robert Spano in April 2016, and subsequently recorded by that ensemble. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra co-commissioned Leshnoff’s second violin concerto, and Dallas premiered the work featuring soloist Alexander Kerr in May 2018 at Jaap van Zweden's final concert as music director of that orchestra. It has since been recorded by Noah Bendix-Balgley and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic on a 2023 Naxos album. In November 2019, Joyce Yang premiered his Piano Concerto[1] with the Kansas City Symphony and Music Director Michael Stern; it was subsequently released on the Reference Recordings label.

While a large portion of his work is orchestral, Leshnoff has composed for many chamber ensembles and symphonic bands. The United States Marine Band commissioned a Symphony for Winds to mark the 225th anniversary of that ensemble in 2023;[4] it had previously recorded a transcription of Leshnoff's Clarinet Concerto on its 2017 album Arioso.[5] The United States Navy Band, US Air Force Band, Frost School of Music Band and Towson University Symphonic Band have also performed his band works.

Leshnoff has taught at Towson University for over twenty years on subjects including orchestration, contemporary music history, music entrepreneurship, and theory. He was the 2013 recipient of the University System of Maryland Regents Award in Scholarship, recognizing a select faculty member from the University of Maryland system for significant publication profile. The composer has entrusted all of his manuscripts to the special collections archive at Towson's Cook Library.[6]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

In late 2019, a Nashville Symphony album featuring Leshnoff's works, including his fourth symphony (commissioned by that orchestra in collaboration with the Violins of Hope), was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Classical Compendium.[7] In an independent study, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra found Leshnoff to be among the ten most performed living composers internationally (tied for 7th) among American orchestras in the 2015–2016 season.

Selected works

[edit]

Leshnoff's catalog includes roughly eighty works to date, including four symphonies, fourteen concerti, and five oratorios.[8] Many of his scores are available from the music publisher and distributor Theodore Presser Company.

  • Symphony No. 1, Forgotten Chants and Refrains (2004)
  • Violin Concerto No. 1 (2005)
  • Double Concerto for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra (2007)
  • Rush (2008)
  • Starburst (2010)
  • Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra (2011)[9]
  • Hope, oratorio (2011)
  • Cello Concerto (2012)
  • Symphony No. 2, Innerspace (2014)
  • Zohar, oratorio (2015)[10]
  • Chamber Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2015)
  • Symphony No. 3 (2015)[11]
  • Clarinet Concerto, Nekudim (2015)
  • Symphony No. 4, Heichalos (2017)[12]
  • Violin Concerto No. 2 (2017)
  • Piano Concerto (2019)[13]
  • Of Thee I Sing, for chorus and orchestra (2020)
  • Symphony for Winds (2023)

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jonathan Leshnoff". Towson University. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  2. ^ "Transcending The Music". Baltimore Jewish Times. December 16, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  3. ^ "Recordings by Jonathan Leshnoff | Now available to stream and purchase at Naxos". www.naxos.com. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  4. ^ "Aspire: "The President's Own" at 225". United States Marine Band. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  5. ^ "Arioso". United States Marine Band. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Jonathan Leshnoff". Towson University. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  7. ^ Feiler, Alan; Merwin, Ted (November 25, 2019). "Baltimore-Based Composer Jonathan Leshnoff Nominated for a Grammy". JMORE. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ Garcia, Jacob Adam (April 7, 2020). "A Comprehensive Study of Three Compositions for Percussion by Composer Jonathan Leshnoff, "Run" (2003), "…without a chance" (2003), and "Concerto for Two Percussionists and Orchestra" (2011), including a Structural and Aesthetic Analysis". UNT Digital Library. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  10. ^ "Composer Jonathan Leshnoff brings music, mysticism to Strathmore". Washington Jewish Week. March 16, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  11. ^ Neas, Patrick (May 15, 2016). "Composer Jonathan Leshnoff explores the depths of war in world premiere symphony". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  12. ^ Unger, Mike (January 10, 1995). "Fall 2019 – TU Magazine". Towson University. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  13. ^ "KC STUDIO: Kansas City Symphony Presents World Premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff's Piano Concerto". Kansas City Symphony. November 8, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

Further reading

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