Barbara Kolb

Barbara Kolb (b. Hartford, Connecticut, February 10, 1939) is an American composer. Her music uses sound masses and often creates vertical structures through simultaneous rhythmic or melodic units (motifs or figures). She was the first woman composer to win the Prix de Rome. She received her B.M. (cum laude) and M.M. degrees from the Hartt College of Music (now The Hartt School) at the University of Hartford, and studied with Arnold Franchetti and Gunther Schuller. Currently, she is teaching music theory and composition classes at Rhode Island College.

Her compositions include "All in Good Time" (1993), commissioned for the 150th Anniversary of the New York Philharmonic, and "Voyants" (1991), a concerto for piano and chamber orchestra dedicated to the memory of Aaron Copland. "Voyants" was most recently performed by Kathleen Supove with the Rhode Island College Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Edward Markward on October 16, 2006 in Providence, RI. Discs devoted solely to the music of Ms. Kolb have been released by CRI and New World Records. Her orchestral composition "All in Good Time" was recorded by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Carlos Kalmar, along with works by John Corigliano, Aaron Jay Kernis, John Harbison and Michael Hersch on a CD released by Cedille Records in the summer of 2006. Her music is published exclusively by Boosey and Hawkes.

Other Compositions

*"Millefoglie", for chamber orchestra and computer generated tape
*"Extremes", duo for flute and cello
*"Chromatic Fantasy", for narrator and six instruments
*"Solitaire", for piano and two-channel tape and vibraphone

Discography

*"Barbara Kolb--Millefoglie and Other Works" (1992). Music Today and Nouvel Ensemble Moderne. (New World Records 80422-2).

*"Barbara Kolb--Soundings and Other Works"(1990). Ensemble InterContemporain conducted by Arthur Tamayo; Igor Kipnis - harpsichord; Jay Gottlieb - piano, etc. (Composers Recordings Inc. CD 576).