Michael Udow

Biography

Michael Udow has composed three operas, film scores, orchestral and wind ensemble works, chamber music, and solo compositions. Michael's distinctive compositional voice alludes categorization. Quite often, his rhythmically engaging contrapuntal lines with dense timbres weave effortlessly with memorable melodic lines. His latest 2020 Animated Film to be performed live with orchestra, wind ensemble or 6-percussion with sound playback has received twelve laurel awards, including New York's Sound and Vision International Film & Technology Festival, Hollywood Verge Film Awards, Picasso, Einstein, Buddha Film Festival (India) and Bengal's Model N Movie International Shorts. In addition, Michael was the 2014-15 Composer-in-Residence with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. Michael is a University of Michigan Emeritus Professor (1982 – 2011). He retired from his distinguished career as the principal percussionist with The Santa Fe Opera (1968 – 2009). Michael holds BM degrees in composition and percussion from the University of Illinois, where he also completed his MM and the first DMA degree in percussion performance. Oxford University Press published his 472-page book, Percussion Pedagogy, A Practical Guide for Studio Teachers, in 2019. The Rhode Island Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Madison Philharmonia have recorded Michael's works. In 2022, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra will be presenting Michael's Shattered Mirror Suite, preceded by a week of guest composer workshops. In addition, the world premiere of his multiple percussion concerto, Ancient Echoes, will be given by the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.

  • orchestra
  • ACE Publications

    9 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Michael Udow Ancient Echoes Percussion Solo and Orchestra
    1(+afl)2(2=EH)2(2=bcl)2 - 1000 - hp - perc solo - strings
    Michael Udow Echoes of the Past - orchestra version orchestra, video
    Michael Udow Thunderbolt Orchestra
    3(3=picc)2(2=EH)4(3=Ebcl, 4=bcl) - 42(2+ptpt)3(3=btbn)1 - timp, 4 perc, pno, 2 hp - strings
    Michael Udow Coyote Dreams for Marimba and Orchestra Marimba and Orchestra
    22(2=EH)2(2=bcl)2 - 2000 - perc, hp - marimba solo - strings
    Michael Udow Mountain Myths orchestra
    Michael Udow Hoodoo Images orchestra
    Michael Udow Stepping Stones - for Orchestra Orchestra
    4(3=picc,4=afl)2(2=EH)4(3=Eb,4=bcl)3(3=cbsn) - 2231 - timp, 4 perc, pno, hp - strings
    Michael Udow Shattered Mirror Suite Orchestra
    3(2+afl, 3+picc)3(3=EH)3(3=bcl)3 - 433(3=btbn)1 - timp, 3 perc, hp - strings
    Michael Udow Bayou Reflections (for Orchestra) Orchestra
    3(3=picc)3(3=EH)3(3=bcl)2 - 222(2=btbn)1 - timp, 2 perc - strings

    Additional Works