Stephen R. Duke

(U.S.A.)
Stephen Duke a choisi d'interpréter:
Stephen Duke has chosen to perform:

Rodney Waschka II

Saint Ambrose (1999)

[opéra en un acte pour saxophoniste/acteur, musique d'ordinateur et projections / opera in one act for saxophonist/actor, computer music and slide projections]

Saxophonist Steve Duke has a broad range of performing experience throughout the United States and in Europe -- from Jazz at the Spoleto Festival to the Synthese Festival in Bourges, France. The New York Times describes his performance as "gorgeous tone ... supple fluidity." Recently, Duke has collaborated with composers in the commissioning of numerous works of real-time computer/acoustic interactive music, including; Larry Austin at the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia at the University of North Texas, Cort Lippe at the Hiller Computer Music Studios at University at Buffalo-SUNY, Zack Settel at McGill University in Canada, and James Phelps at the Northern Illinois University Computer Music Studio. In addition to computer/acoustic works Steve Duke has premiered numerous acoustic solo pieces for saxophone including works by Dexter Morrill, William O. Smith, Les Thimmig, Jan Bach and Robert Fleisher.

From 1982 to 1996 Duke performed and recorded duo improvisations in jazz and contemporary music with pianist/composer Joseph Pinzarrone. Duke's solo recordings include releases on Sony/Columbia, the CDCM Computer Music Series on Centaur, GMEB/UNESCO/CIME (France), and Sea Breeze.

In addition to his work in contemporary music, Steve Duke is widely recognized for his development of learning how to reduce tension in performance as well as for the articulation of cross-over style techniques. He received his Bachelor or Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas and is a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Teacher. Mr. Duke has served on the School of Music faculty at Northern Illinois University since 1980 and currently holds the position of Presidential Research Professor.
Saint Ambrose is based on the life of the American short story writer, essayist, journalist, and cynic Ambrose Bierce who was born in 1842. In this multimedia piece the saxophonist, in addition to instrumental performing, plays the character of Ambrose Bierce as he comes to do what was, for him, a very unusual thing: give a lecture.