Steven Christopher Sacco
Composer - Performer -
Educator
The
American composer Steven Sacco was born in Brooklyn, New York. His work
is performed internationally by some of today’s leading soloists and ensembles.
Critics praise him for writing “absorbing, poetic and passionate music that
easily engages the sympathies and attention of a concert audience.” Past
collaborations have included leading artists and organizations such as The New
York Philharmonic, The Electric Phoenix, Speculum Musicae, The American Brass
Quintet, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” The Czech Nonet,
composer & conductor Luciano Berio, cellist Steven Isserlis, soprano
Juliana Gondek, The Juilliard School, the Tanglewood Summer Music Festival and
Aspen Summer Music Festival, and the Deal Summer Music Festival in the U.K.,
among others.
Recent international tours have seen his work performed in
Australia, Southeast Asia, China and throughout Europe. His score for the
award-winning film "The Enduring Call" premiered at the Houston
Worldfest and had its EU premiere at the Cannes International Film
Festival. His Quintet for brass, one of his most performed works, is
recorded by American Brass Quintet on Summit Records. Sacco's music is
published by ACA and Hickman Music Editions.
In 2002, Sacco was elected to the Board of Governors of the
American Composers Alliance and served as board secretary from 2003-2005.
Academic awards include grants from The Arts and Letters Foundation, The
Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Corporation of Yaddo, The
MacDowell Colony Inc., The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and others.
A composition and theory faculty member and past department
co-chair at the Mannes College of Music in New York City, Sacco also teaches at
Midland School in New Jersey and has taught at Rutgers University, Newark and
at the State University of New York at Purchase.
He holds a doctorate from Columbia University, a M.F.A. from
Princeton University, and bachelor’s degree from the Juilliard School. He
resides with his wife and two children in New Jersey.
2008
Review
Quotes...
"Highly mature work....thoroughly captivating"
International Trumpet Guild Journal
"With
its lyrical melodies, tonal and colorful harmonies, and serious introspection
punctuated by wit, whimsy and sparkle, Sacco's work should become a repertory
favorite".
-American Record Guide 2007, review
of American Brass Quintet CD, Jewels.
"Resolutely
euphonious"...
- Aspen Times 2007, review of the
premiere of Sonata for Bass Trombone and Piano, performed by John Rojak and An
Perry at the Aspen Music festival
"Delightful...[a]
kind of musical aperitif that whets the appetite for what was to come".
-The Buffalo News 2007, review of
Little Suite of Miniatures.
"Attractive
and engaging...Sacco’s music highlighted refreshing tonal language and organic
motivic writing".
-International Trumpet Guild (2004)
"Perky,
jazzy...highly listenable music"
-Aspen Times 2004, review of the
premiere of Quintet for brass, American Brass Quintet at the Aspen Music
Festival.
"Powerful
work, combining lyricism and drama"...
-Kent Mercury, UK 2001, review of
the premiere of Fantasy for unaccompanied cello performed by Steven Isserlis at
the Deal Summer Music Festival, UK.
"Absorbing,
poetic and passionate"
-The Sandpiper 1996
