Mark O'Connor is widely recognized as one of the most gifted contemporary composers in America and surely one of the brightest talents of his generation.
The New York Times calls his "one of the most spectacular journeys in recent
American music."
The Baltimore Sun and the St. Louis Post Dispatch label him "genius."
The Los Angeles Times describes him as an artist who is "one of the most
talented and imaginative...working in music -- any music -- today."
The Seattle Times says of his music: "brilliantly original."
His compositions are "informed and engaging," according to the
Washington Post.
An excerpt from a feature in the New York Times eloquently describes Mark O'Connor's tradition-filled past, his stellar present and his future full of promise: "The audience was on its feet. I'm certain that at least some of the concert-goers were moved not merely by Mr. O'Connor's solo, as exciting as it was, but by its having come on the heels of the orchestral piece (American Seasons). They were moved by Mr. O'Connor's journey without maps, cheering for the only musician today who can reach so deeply first into the refined, then the vernacular, giving his listeners a complex, sophisticated piece of early-21st-century classical music and then knocking them dead with the brown-dirt whine of a Texas fiddle."
Mr. O’Connor’s most recent composition, Harmony, composed to commemorate the events of 9/11, was described by the New York Times as “musical diplomacy at its most facile. The Appalachian accents that have become his hallmarks are there, both in his solo violin line and in the accompaniment, which was played by the Knights, an ensemble of young string players. Gradually, Middle Eastern influences (modal melodies, string slides and lively rhythms join the party, until the lines between the two styles are so blurred that any musical gesture might come from either direction.”
The thoughtful and deft melding of influences, genres and traditions has, indeed, become Mr. O’Connor’s recognized (and lauded) musical calling card.
A product of America's rich aural folk tradition, Mr. O'Connor's journey began at the feet of violin masters Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson and French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Along the way, between these two marvelous musical extremes, Mark O'Connor absorbed knowledge and influence from a multitude of musical styles and genres. Now, at age 44, he has melded and shaped these influences into a new American classical music. The Los Angeles Times warmly noted he has "crossed over so many boundaries, that his style is purely personal."
His first recording for the Sony Classical record label, Appalachia Waltz, was a collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma and doublebassist Edgar Meyer. The works Mr. O'Connor composed for the disc, including its title track, gained worldwide recognition for him as a leading proponent of a new American musical idiom. The tremendously successful follow-up release, Appalachian Journey, received a Grammy Award in February 2001.
In April 2000, Mr. O'Connor premiered The American Seasons: Seasons of an American Life, at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, N.Y. Commissioned to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the hall's concert series, the New York Times said, "... if Dvorak had spent his American leisure time in Nashville instead of Spillville, Iowa, 'New World Symphony' might have sounded like this."
In June 2001, Mr. O'Connor released Hot Swing! a tribute to his great friend and mentor, the legendary French jazz master, Stephane Grappelli. Released on his own OMAC label, the CD was recorded live with Jon Burr on bass and Frank Vignola on guitar. The critical acclaim was unanimous and immediate. The Chicago Tribune called it "one of the finest discs of his career and one of the greatest jazz violin albums ever."
In 2002, Mr. O'Connor formed a new chamber ensemble, the Appalachia Waltz Trio, which features cellist Natalie Haas and violist Carol Cook. The trio performs repertoire Mr. O'Connor created for his Appalachia Waltz and Appalachian Journey recording projects. The Appalachia Waltz Trio released its first album, Crossing Bridges, in 2004 on Mr. O'Connor's OMAC recording label.
Mark O'Connor's compositions are being embraced by a variety of performers. Yo-Yo Ma has recorded the solo cello version of "Appalachia Waltz" and frequently performs it in recital. Dance troupes, including Twyla Tharp, the New York City Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, are constantly discovering Mr. O'Connor's expressive American music.
In August 2000, Mr. O'Connor’s composition, Double Concerto for Two Violins, received its premiere with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and the Chicago Symphony, Christoph Eschenbach conducting. (In November 2003, Mr. O'Connor and
Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg recorded the work with Marin Alsop conducting the
Colorado Orchestra. It was released in June 2005.)
In 2001, Mr. O'Connor was commissioned by the Academy of St. Martin the Fields to create a concerto for violin and orchestra.
His a cappella Folk Mass received its world premiere in February 2003 in New York City,
performed by Gloriae Dei Cantores, the choral ensemble that commissioned the piece.
Mark O'Connor has appeared at The White House, the Presidential Inauguration Celebration and the ceremonies of Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Games for which he composed Olympic Reel.
Mr. O'Connor regularly teaches master classes and has conducted symposia at many schools of music including The Juilliard School of Music, Tanglewood, Aspen, UCLA, and the Eastman School of Music. He is founder of the internationally recognized Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp near Nashville, Tennessee and the Mark O'Connor Strings Conference near San Diego, California.
Hello Mark, Thanks for the River to River show! It was great to see your students and friends all on one stage. I'm looking forward to the concerts at your NYC fiddle camp. All the best!
Greetings from Vancouver Island Canada! Have been listening to your music for years. Such awesome songs. Thanks for accepting our Friend request. Cheers, "The McShane Family."
It was a pleasure to have heard from you and accept my friendship request.
Lovely, lovely composing, sound and style...quite addicting to the essence of my being. Your artistic talents pierce one's soul and it's total enjoyment to one's ears.
May i extend my hand in a thank you, Mark and wish you ONLY wonderfull endeavors/projects to follow your every step.
With respect for your craft and smiles for your day,
I feel how lucky I am, playing with you, discovering your music.. I feel blessed...You can be sure when you'll go back to your home - USA, you'll know you conquered another big fan of your music but also the great human being you are!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Waiting this evening to play again with you and listening to this genius that you are!!! My best wishes Eli
If you have a chance, please listen to Elegy on my page (solo flute) and on Mary Rowell's page (solo violin). It's a piece I wrote for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and I'd be honored if you'd ever want to play it. Carol
HAPPY EASTER! The Essential Mark O'Connor CD is impressive. I particularly appreciate your timing and style. I can play the notes, but I seem to get how you time them, tweak them better. There's this fine touch I rarely hear anywhere. I hope to make one of your fiddle camps soon. :-)
Thank you for inviting us to join in! I've followed your career since your teenage fiddle contests, and had the pleasure of seeing the Hot Swing Trio plus the Appalachian tour here at Miami University, Oxford. Many styles, always great music!
Hi Mark, Denise here again. I see where you are coming to Guthrie OK for the Bluegrass Fesitival in October...I am sure going to try my best to be there. I love your work if it be country or classicle...Hope to see you then....
Got your e-mail about All Things Considered. Very cool -- congrats! It was very nice meeting you when you came to Montclair and I hope that all is well.
