Bruce Wolosoff

Birth Place: New York

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“ Bruce Wolosoff integrates romantic, modern classical, jazz, and blues music into an authentic American voice, and he is a composer I want to hear more of!”
-Thomas Bohlert, The East Hampton Star


Bruce Wolosoff is a musician who has consistently gone his own way and resisted facile categorization in any genre or niche. His early love and study of diverse forms of music has worked its way into his classical compositions creating an authentic language that is indeed an American voice. This was very evident in "Songs without Words", (18 divertimenti for string quartet) composed for the Carpe Diem String Quartet and released on Naxos American Classics, in which Wolosoff presents a kaleidoscopically eclectic survey of American popular styles as viewed through the lens of a contemporary classical composer. The choreographer Ann Reinking heard this work and was inspired by these pieces to create a new ballet, "The White City,” with Melissa Thodos for Thodos Dance Chicago, which premiered in 2011.  Wolosoff is currently composing another large scale ballet for the same company to be premiered in 2013.

Born in New York City in 1955, Wolosoff’s earliest childhood memory is of sitting at the piano, experimenting with the sounds he could make. He began formal lessons at the age of three and by the time he was 13 was zooming around his neighborhood on his bike giving piano lessons to other kids. Throughout his teens, Wolosoff played in local rock, jazz, and fusion bands, while simultaneously pursuing his more formal studies as a classical pianist with the world renowned piano professor German Diez (with whom he studied for over 16 years), and later with distinguished pianists Evelyne Crochet and Richard Goode. Wolosoff holds degrees from Bard College, where he worked with composer Joan Tower, and the New England Conservatory of Music. In addition to his classical studies, Wolosoff studied jazz piano and harmony for many years with the legendary Charlie Banacos, and piano and composition with jazz great Jaki Byard.

Throughout his 20’s, Wolosoff worked as a freelance classical pianist in New York City, performing as recitalist and soloist in New York’s leading classical venues. He was Artistic Director of “Music of Our Time", an 80th birthday tribute to Olivier Messiaen at Lincoln Center, and released a critically acclaimed recording of piano music by Busoni for Music and Arts Records.

In his 30’s, Wolosoff stopped performing publicly to devote himself more fully to composing. Early commissions included writing for the Columbus Symphony, the Lark Quartet, Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri, and the 21st Century Consort, who have commissioned five works from the composer through the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. In more recent years, Wolosoff has written several pieces for violinist Charles Wetherbee, worked with the Carpe Diem String Quartet, composed “The Passions” for the Minnesota Ballet, and collaborated with British librettist Michael Hall on the chamber opera, “Madimi”, which was performed in in NYC in 2008 by the Center for Contemporary Opera. The acclaimed Eroica Trio premiered Wolosoff’s “Tantric Scherzo” in 2011. And in 2010, after many years away from performing, Wolosoff returned to the concert stage to perform a recital of his own works for piano.This live performance was just released on CD (and by digital download) under the title “Many Worlds.” In addition to the new ballet, Wolosoff is currently at work with librettist Debbie Danielpour on an opera, “The Great Good Thing,” based on the young adult novel by Roderick Townley.

Bruce Wolosoff News


Chicago Children's Theatre Presents A LIGHT IN THE DARK

The inspiring story of Helen Keller and her teacher, as told through contemporary dance, will be shared with Chicago-area children and families this fall when Chicago Children's Theatre presents Thodos Dance Chicago's critically-acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark: The Story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.

Thodos Dance Chicago Launches 14-15 'Chicago-Inspired' Season

Thodos Dance Chicago launches its 23rd 'Chicago Inspired' season Saturday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre, kicking off the historic Chicago venue's 125th Anniversary 'Made in Chicago' dance series.

The Auditorium Theatre Launches 'Made in Chicago' Series Today

Celebrating a milestone 125th Anniversary, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University kicks off its inaugural 'Made in Chicago' performance series highlighting the city's best homegrown music and dance artists and ensembles. Launching in November, the robust series will present three Windy City mainstays including 'On Stage With... Susan Werner' (today, November 8); the perennially popular Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic with 'CJP @ Ten' (November 14); and the award-winning Thodos Dance Chicago (November 29).

The Auditorium Theatre to Launch 'Made in Chicago' Series, 11/8

Celebrating a milestone 125th Anniversary, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University kicks off its inaugural “Made in Chicago” performance series highlighting the city's best homegrown music and dance artists and ensembles. Launching in November, the robust series will present three Windy City mainstays including “On Stage With... Susan Werner” (November 8); the perennially popular Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic with “CJP @ Ten” (November 14); and the award-winning Thodos Dance Chicago (November 29).

Thodos Dance Chicago's A LIGHT IN THE DARK Subject of TV Doc SHINE, Airing Today on WTTW-TV

Chicago arts lovers, tune into WTTW-TV, Channel 11 today, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. for the debut of Shine, a new half-hour documentary about the making of Thodos Dance Chicago's critically acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark as captured through the lens of Emmy Award-winning Chicago filmmaker Christopher Kai Olsen.

Thodos Dance Chicago's A LIGHT IN THE DARK Subject of TV Doc SHINE, Airing 9/8 on WTTW-TV

Chicago arts lovers, tune into WTTW-TV, Channel 11 on Sunday, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. for the debut of Shine, a new half-hour documentary about the making of Thodos Dance Chicago's critically acclaimed story ballet A Light in the Dark as captured through the lens of Emmy Award-winning Chicago filmmaker Christopher Kai Olsen.

Thodos Dance Chicago Presents A LIGHT IN THE DARK, THE STORY OF HELEN KELLER AND ANNE SULLIVAN, 2/16 & 3/2

Award winning choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos are teaming again to co-choreograph A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, their second full-length contemporary story ballet, this time telling an intimate family story about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all.

'The Showtune Mosh Pit' for January 30th, 2013

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to New York. Upcoming productions of 'See What I Wanna See' and 'Little Women,' a unique 'Joseph...,' four world premieres, including 'Under A Rainbow Flag,' plus a whole bunch of special cabaret evenings, the return of 'Best Musical!' at Stage 773, and world premiere choreography by Ann Reinking!

Thodos Dance Chicago to Present A LIGHT IN THE DARK, THE STORY OF HELEN KELLER AND ANNE SULLIVAN, 2/16 & 3/2

Award winning choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos are teaming again to co-choreograph A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, their second full-length contemporary story ballet, this time telling an intimate family story about the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all.

Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos Choreograph A LIGHT IN THE DARK for Thodos Dance

Award winning choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos are teaming again to co-choreograph A Light in the Dark, the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, their second full-length story ballet, this time based on the story of Helen Keller, the extraordinary woman who was deaf and blind yet went on to become a world-famous writer, political activist and inspiration to all who know her incredible story.

Thodos Dance Chicago to Celebrate 20 Years, 2/3 & 3

Thodos Dance Chicago will officially celebrate its 20th anniversary with what's being described as 'two phenomenal, inspirational and reflective evenings of breathtaking, innovative dance,' Friday and Saturday, Mar. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph Drive, Chicago. Tickets to Thodos Dance Chicago's 20th Anniversary Winter Concert are $25-$60. Purchase tickets via phone at (312) 334-7777, or online at harristheaterchicago.org.

Harris Theater Announces March 2011 Events And Shows

This March, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance will present a month full of exciting debuts and premieres by the finest music and dance artists from Chicago and around the world.

Photo Flash: Roy Scheider: A Life Well Lived Celebrated

They came from around the corner and as far away as London, Italy and New Zealand to pay tribute to a legend of film and stage and a good friend and neighbor, Roy Scheider.

Photo Coverage: Hayground Orchestra Concert

Continuing its world class artists in residence program, the renowned Hayground School presented the third annual Hayground School Creative Orchestra with acclaimed composer and artistic director Bruce Wolosoff at the helm

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