LUKE CARLSON Composer & Conductor
About
The music of composer and conductor Luke Carlson (b. 1983) has been described as “yielding fascinating timbres” (Washington Classical Review), “magical”, and “otherworldly” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “personal and strong” (New York Times). Carlson draws equal inspiration from classical traditions and modern aesthetics, crafting vibrant and profound music that engages with the continuing story of tonality.
He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Aspen Music Festival’s Jacob Druckman Prize, a
Copland House Fellowship, the grand prize in Symphony Number One’s Composer Competition, the Edward
T.
Cone Composition Institute, two first prizes in the MACRO Composers Competition, and two nominations
for
composition awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Latest News
I'm excited for the upcoming premiere of Render, a new work for clarinet and interactive electronics written for Thiago Ancelmo. We will present the piece at College of the Ozarks on March 21, 2024 and again on March 30, 2024 at the Utah Clarinet Festival.
A video recording of Histories is now available on YouTube. Some really wonderful music making by violinist, Felicity James, Associate Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Orchestra, and pianist Anna Vinnitsky.
I am pleased to present the video recording of Gamer. The video premieres Nov. 1, 2023 at 8 PM CST on YouTube.
It has been a lot of fun collaborating with Diego Alfonso on a seven-act, forty-minute work for multi-percussion and interactive electronics called Gamer. We are presenting the work at three venues here in Missouri on October 13, 15, and 19. You can read more about the piece here.
I recently completed a twelve-video course on how to use Dorico, music notation software. The course can be found here.
I'm honored to spend a few weeks at MacDowell this summer. I'll be working on some solo piano music and a couple works with interactive electronics. You can read more about MacDowell here.
music
Carlson’s music ranges in variety from orchestral and chamber works, to
vocal, choral, and electronic compositions. He is also an active arranger of sacred and secular
music.
complete catalogue
recent & upcoming events
Gamer
percussion &
electronics
Diego Alfonso, percussion
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Gamer
percussion &
electronics
Diego Alfonso, percussion
Drury University
Springfield, MO
Gamer
percussion &
electronics
Diego Alfonso, percussion
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO
Patterns
solo piano
Matthew Bengtson, piano
Old First Concerts
San Francisco, CA