Biography

Brad Stark ~ Contemporary Classical Composer

A Canadian Composer, Brad Stark (1980- ) writes contemporary Classical music in his own individual voice. His music emphasizes color, form, and emotion as the primary elements of his work.

Born in Mississauga Ontario, Canada, Brad Stark has studied with prominent Canadian composers such as Peter Paul Koprowski, and Stephen Chatman. At the present time he is working towards his Doctor of musical arts degree at the University of British Columbia in composition.

Composing prolifically since the age of 11, he has written solo, chamber and orchestral works. Among his compositions include numerous pieces for solo piano, three string quartets as well as other miscellaneous works for string quartet, sonatas for violin and viola, concertos for solo organ and piano, several extended works for string orchestra (including his first symphony) as well as works for standard and chamber orchestra.

While admiring many composers past and present, he lists J.S. Bach, Scriabin, and Debussy as composers who have influenced his style most prominently. Largely self taught as a composer, his music often displays an emphasis in harmony while occasionally using classical forms as a source of inspiration. Although his output is noticeably varied, his melodic style can be described as improvisational in character while often making use of unconventional scales and modes. His music is often characterized by the use of expanded, chromatic harmony.

In June of 2005, Brad Stark participated in the Music05 festival in Cincinnati, Ohio at the University of Cincinnati, where his Third String Quartet (2003) was among the selected works that had been chosen to be performed in a series of concerts. He also participated in a masterclass with composer Michael Torke at the festival. His Music has been played by the Vancouver and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.

last updated: August 2006