Alan Pierson

Alan Emanuel Pierson

Alan Emanuel Pierson (born May 12, 1974, Chicago, Illinois) is an American conductor. His parents are Elaine Pierson and Edward S. Pierson, the latter an engineering professor at Purdue University Calumet.[1] In Chicago Pierson took piano and composition lessons at the People's Music School,[2] graduating high school at Francis W. Parker.[3] Pierson is a 1996 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with degrees in music and physics. At MIT, he was a timpanist and an assistant conductor with the MIT Symphony Orchestra, and also a composer.[4][5]

Pierson continued his studies in music at the Eastman School of Music, where he was a co-founder of the new music ensemble Ossia. Subsequently, he was a co-founder of the related new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound, which gave its first concert in 2001. Pierson became the first music director of Alarm Will Sound in the same year, and continues to serve in the post.

In January 2011, Pierson was named the artistic director of the former Brooklyn Philharmonic.[6] When the orchestra suspended operations in 2013 his contract was not renewed.[7] Pierson also serves as principal conductor of the Crash Ensemble in Ireland, and has guest conducted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic,[8] Chicago Symphony,[9] Los Angeles Opera,[10] New World Symphony,[11] Orchestra of St. Luke's,[12] Beth Morrison Projects,[13] and Symphoniker Hamburg.[14]

Pierson has resided in New York City since 2002.[15] He is currently on faculty at Northwestern University[16] and conducts at Mannes College.[17]

In February 2013, Pierson was featured on the Radiolab episode "Speedthoven".[18]

References

  1. ^ "David Herszenson, Alan Pierson". New York Times. 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  2. ^ "Once a physicist: Alan Pierson". Physics World (Interview). August 2016. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  3. ^ "Alumni News and Announcements" (Mailing list). March 2008. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  4. ^ Lynn Heinemann (1996-05-15). "Alan Pierson leaves musical mark at MIT". MIT News. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  5. ^ Liv Gold (January–February 2012). "Alan Pierson '96". Technology Review. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  6. ^ Daniel J. Wakin (2011-01-20). "Arts, Briefly Brooklyn Philharmonic Hires Artistic Director". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  7. ^ Brian Wise (2018-10-18). "Brooklyn Philharmonic Innovative But Sounding a Troubled Tune". WQXR Blog. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  8. ^ "Alan Pierson 06E (DMA) Pursuing Endeavors of Passion". Eastman School of Music website. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  9. ^ Lawrence A. Johnson (2019-12-03). "Compelling gifts in small packages make for rewarding MusicNOW night". Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  10. ^ "Alan Pierson, Conductor". OperaBase. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  11. ^ David Fleshier (2013-12-03). "Critic's Choice". South Florida Classical Review. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  12. ^ "The Musical World of Harmonium Mountain: Clifford Ross & The Orchestra of St. Luke's / Jeffrey Zeigler, Andy Akiho & Roger Bonair-Agard". bricartsmedia dot org. Summer 2015. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  13. ^ "Review: In 'Dog Days,' a Family Clawing for Survival". The New York Times. 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  14. ^ Sam Johnstone (2017-10-22). "Unexpected promise Bryce Dessner at the Elbphilharmonie". bachtrack. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  15. ^ Paul Pelkonen (2011-11-02). "Conductor brings Brooklyn Philharmonic back to life". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  16. ^ "Alan Pierson Conducting and Ensembles". Northwestern Bienen School of Music. 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  17. ^ "MACE Mannes American Composers Ensemble Performs Mazzoli and Schoenberg". The New School. 2016-10-14. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  18. ^ "Speedthoven". radiolab.org.
Preceded by
(no predecessor)
 Music Director, Alarm Will Sound
2001–present 		Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Michael Christie (music director)
 Artistic Director, Brooklyn Philharmonic
2011–2012 		Succeeded by
Orchestra dissolved
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