Barbara Kolb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Kolb
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Barbara Kolb, in the 1970s
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| Born | February 10, 1939 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Died | October 21, 2024 (aged 85) |
| Education | Hartt College of Music |
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| Organization | Third Street Music School Settlement |
| Awards | Rome Prize |
Barbara Kolb (February 10, 1939 – October 21, 2024) was an American composer and teacher. She made history as the first woman to win the important Rome Prize for music. Her music was known for its rich, colorful sounds and unique style, often inspired by books and art. She taught at several schools, including the Third Street Music School Settlement, Rhode Island College, and Eastman School of Music.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Barbara Kolb was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 10, 1939. Her father was a music director, so she grew up surrounded by music. She even went to jazz clubs with her parents, which helped her meet many musicians from a young age.
Barbara studied clarinet and how to compose music at the Hartt College of Music. She was a very skilled clarinet player. After college, she moved to Vienna, Austria, for a year with a special grant called a Fulbright Fellowship.
Making History with the Rome Prize
In 1969, Barbara Kolb became the first American woman composer to win the famous Rome Prize. This award allowed her to live and work in Rome, Italy, for two years, focusing on her music.
Her piece Soundings was first played in 1972. Later, a new version for a full orchestra was performed by the New York Philharmonic in 1975. The orchestra was arranged in three groups on the stage, which created a unique sound experience!
Teaching and New Music
From 1979 to 1982, Barbara was the artistic director for modern music at the Third Street Music School Settlement. She created a concert series called "Music New to New York," which showed off composers from outside the city. She also taught at Rhode Island College and was a visiting professor at the Eastman School of Music.
Barbara even developed a music theory course for people who were blind or had physical disabilities. She wanted everyone to be able to learn about music.
Music Around the World
In 1983–1984, Barbara spent nine months in Paris at a special music research center called IRCAM. There, she created a piece called Millefoglie. It was first performed in Paris in 1985 and later won the 1987 Kennedy Center Friedheim Award. This piece was played in many major cities around the world, like Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Montreal.
In 1991, she composed Voyants, a concerto for piano and a smaller orchestra, dedicated to the memory of another famous composer, Aaron Copland. It was first played in Paris. Her music was also featured at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in 1992.
Barbara Kolb composed All in Good Time for the New York Philharmonic's 150th anniversary in 1993. This piece was performed by several major orchestras, including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony. It was even recorded on a CD in 2006.
Barbara Kolb's music has been released on albums dedicated just to her work. Her compositions are published by Boosey and Hawkes, a well-known music publisher.
Barbara Kolb passed away at her home in North Providence, Rhode Island, on October 21, 2024, at the age of 85.
Barbara Kolb's Compositions
Barbara Kolb's music often found inspiration in literature (books) and visual arts (like paintings). Her style is known for its colorful sounds and unique textures. Some of her pieces were influenced by minimal music, which uses simple patterns, and some even had a clear jazz influence.
Her works have been published by Boosey & Hawkes, including:
- Three Medieval Chants for saxophone quartet, 2005–2018
- Aubade for mandolin orchestra, 2003
- The Web Spinner for chamber orchestra, 2003
- Antoine's Tango for piano, 2001
- Introduction and Allegro for wind band, 2001
- Virgo Mater Creatrix (Virgin Mother Creatrix) for a cappella choir, 1998
- New York Moonglow, ballet, for ensemble, 1995
- Sidebars for bassoon and piano, 1995/96
- Turnabout in one movement, for flute and piano, 1994
- In Memory of David Huntley for string quartet, 1994
- All in Good Time for orchestra, 1993
- Cloudspin (Cumulus) for organ, 1991, rev. 2007
- Voyants for piano and chamber orchestra, 1991
- Monticello Trio in two movements, for piano trio, 1991
- Extremes for flute and cello, 1988/89
- The Enchanted Loom in three untitled movements, for orchestra, 1988/89
- Broken Slurs for guitar, 1988
- Yet That Things Go Round for chamber orchestra, 1987
- Umbrian Colors for guitar and violin, 1986
- Time… And Again for oboe, string quartet and computer-generated sounds, 1985
- Cavatina for violin or viola solo, 1983, rev. 1985
- Millefoglie for ensemble and tape, 1984/85
- Cantico for electronics, 1982
- Related Characters for clarinet (or trumpet, or saxophone, or viola) and piano, 1982
- The Point that Divides the Wind for organ, four percussionists, and three male voices, 1982
- Three Lullabies for guitar, 1980
- Chromatic Fantasy for narrator and six instruments, 1979
- Grisaille for orchestra, 1978/79
- Homage to Keith Jarrett and Gary Burton for flute and vibraphone, 1976
- Appello for piano, 1976
- Songs Before an Adieu for soprano, flute/alto flute, and guitar, 1976–79
- Looking for Claudio for guitar and pre-recorded tape, 1975
- Spring River Flowers Moon Night for two pianos and pre-recorded tape, 1974/75
- Soundings for orchestra, 1971/72, rev. 1975, 1978
- Soundings for chamber ensemble and pre-recorded tape, 1971/72
- Solitaire for piano and pre-recorded tape, 1971
- Toccata for harpsichord and pre-recorded tape, 1971
- Trobar Clus for chamber ensemble, 1970
- Crosswinds for wind ensemble and percussion, 1969
- Rebuttal for two clarinets, 1965
Some of her earlier works, not in the Boosey & Hawkes catalogue, include:
- Fanfare, 1970
- Pulse & Counterflux, 1968
- New York-Le Havre, 1968
- Three Place Settings, 1968
- Four Approaches, 1967
- Chanson Bas, 1966
- Sequela for orchestra, 1965
- The Pleasures of Merely Circulating for chorus, 1964
- Three Songs for baritone and piano, 1964
Discography
Albums with only Kolb's music
- Barbara Kolb: Millefoglie and Other Works (1992). This album features Kolb's Millefoglie, Extremes, Chromatic Fantasy, and Solitaire (New World Records 80422–2).
- Barbara Kolb: Soundings and Other Works (1990). This album includes Kolb's Soundings (1971–72), Toccata (1971), Appello (1976), Looking for Claudio (1975), and Spring River Flowers Moon Night (1974–75) (Composers Recordings Inc. CD 576).
Other albums
- Related Characters – features Bill Perconti, James March, and Iowa Brass Quintet. It includes Kolb's Related Characters for alto saxophone and piano (1982) (Centaur).
- American Orchestra Works – features the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra. It includes Kolb's All in Good Time (1993) (Cedille).
