Komponist: Bruce, David (b. 1970)

You can read our October 2013 interview with David Bruce here

Born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1970, David Bruce grew up in England and now enjoys a growing reputation on both sides of the Atlantic. Bruce’s music draws on the wild dances and heartfelt laments of gypsy music, flamenco, klezmer and other folk traditions, as well as having a direct connection to composers like Stravinsky, Janáček, Berio and Bartók, who shared similar passions. Often witty and always colourful, pulsing with earthy rhythms, Bruce’s music has a directness rarely heard in contemporary music, but also contains an emotional core of striking intimacy and sensitivity.

Since the première of Piosenki (2006) in Carnegie Hall, Bruce’s career in the US has flourished. Carnegie Hall itself has been a huge supporter of Bruce’s music, going on to commission Gumboots (2008), Steampunk (2011) and the forthcoming That Time with You for mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor which premières at the hall in October 2013. In 2009, Dawn Upshaw premièred the song-cycle The North Wind was a Woman, commissioned for the gala opening of the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center’s 2009 season. For 2013–14 Bruce is Associate Composer with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, for whom he will write three pieces: a new work, Night Parade, for the orchestra’s Carnegie Hall debut in October 2013; a violin concerto for 2014; and a chamber piece featuring mandolinist Avi Avital for May 2013.

In the UK, recent commissions include Prince Zal and the Simorgh (2012) for the London Philharmonic Orchestra for their BrightSparks series; Fire (2012), one of 20 “20x12” commissions celebrating the Cultural Olympiad; and the chamber opera The Firework-Maker’s Daughter (2012) co-commissioned by The Opera Group and ROH2, which toured the UK and New York’s New Victory Theatre in Spring 2013.

Bruce’s music has attracted numerous awards and prizes, including the Lili Boulanger Memorial Prize (2008) and the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Competition (1994). He studied at Nottingham University, the Royal College of Music, London, (with Tim Salter and George Benjamin); and completed a PhD in Composition at King’s College, London (1995-9), under the supervision of Sir Harrison Birtwistle.

Complementing his work as a composer, Bruce runs the music and technology company Red Balloon Technology Ltd whose sites include the popular sheet music site 8notes.com and the composers’ site CompositionToday.