Biography
Stefania de Kenessey is a leading figure in the revival of neoclassicism; her most recent CD Shades of Light, Shades of Darkreceived rave reviews as “fully worthy to share a program or disc with the masterpieces by Mozart or Brahms” (Fanfare).
Her music has been presented in Europe, Australia, Singapore and China, as well as throughout the United States. Honored repeatedly with awards from ASCAP, her output includes works in all genres, from chamber and vocal to opera and symphonic. She has written concertos for virtuosos such as trumpeter Chris Gekker and flutist Elizabeth Mann; she has had premieres with the Singapore Symphony, St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, and the Absolute Ensemble Orchestra, conducted by Kristjan Jarvi.
Recent successes include the premiere of “High Summer”, a song cycle for soprano Adina Aaron and chamber ensemble, at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall; a double bill of one-act operas by the Mannes Opera; a memorial for sculptor Frederick Hart at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.; a work for chorus and orchestra premiered by the Turtle Creek Chorale at Carnegie Hall, as well as a vocal commission for the Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. Her newest CD features renowned baritone Christopheren Nomura singing “Autumn Elegy”, her 9/11 memorial song cycle on poems by prize-winning author and chairman of the NEA Dana Gioia.
She is also the founder and artistic director of the Derriere Guard, an alliance of traditionalist contemporary artists, architects, poets and composers, whose inaugural festival featured noted author Tom Wolfe. Her next project is an opera based on his best-selling satire of contemporary American life, “The Bonfire of the Vanities”.
Ms. de Kenessey’s music can be heard on Center Stage Records, North/South Records, E.R.M., Opus One and Leonarda labels.
“Her music is extremely accessible, appealing, and deserving of a wider audience.”
--- James Conlon, Music Director, Opera National de Paris
“Ms. de Kenessey’s music here is often neo-Classical and neo-Baroque (there are several Mozartean and Handelian stretches), with touches of theater music and early rock drifting through it. Accessible melody prevails...lovely moments of tonality and old-fashioned lyricism.”
--- Allan Kozinn, The New York Times
“The music simply soars in a way that I associate with the greatest masterpieces. It was very much like being introduced to Brahms chamber music way back when, felicity following felicity…Her melodic style is rich and entirely uncliched, the themes sing in the manner one associates with great songs, and everything, fast or slow, has an amazing rhythmic life that propels the music forward…”
--- John Story, Fanfare
Awards
2006 ASCAPLUS AWARD, Concert Music Division
Burton Award 2000
For “Sunburst” as piece most frequently requested by audiences for airplay
Meet the Composer Award
Regularly for various concerts
ASCAP Standard Award
Annually since 1984
Other Activities
American Music Center
Panelist and judge, Composer Assistance Program
March 8, 2007, New York City
“Liberty, Convention and deceit in Machaivelli and Shakespeare”
Conference member
November 16019, 2006; Tucson, AZ
Dahesh Museum of Art/Newington-Cropsey Cultural Studies Center
Moderator and organizer, “The Future of Classical Music”
Panelists Paul Moravec, Greg Sandow, David Ramsden Homan
March 23, 2006; Dahesh Museum, New York City
Professional Organizations & Advisory Boards
The Fire Department
Founding Member
Live Arts Collaboration
Music Chair
American Arts Quarterly
Editorial Advisory Board
The Institute for Classical Architecture and Classical America
Council of Advisors
Memberships
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA)
New York Women Composers
American Symphony Orchestra League
Opera America
