Saad Haddad
Saad Haddad is a composer of orchestral, chamber, vocal, and electroacoustic music that achieves a “remarkable fusion of idioms” (New York Times), most notably in his work exploring the disparate qualities inherent in Western art music and Middle Eastern musical tradition. His music delves into that relationship by transferring the performance techniques of traditional Arabic instruments to Western symphonic instruments, while extending their capabilities through the advancement of technology.
Highlights of the 2015–16 season included Haddad’s Carnegie Hall debut with the American Composers Orchestra for his commissioned work, Manarah, the Milwaukee and Columbus Symphony’s performances of Kaman Fantasy (version for orchestra), and the New Juilliard Ensemble’s premiere of Takht. Other performances included the premieres of Nekavim, for two digitally processed percussionists and dance, Thulathi, for piano trio, and Shifting Sands (version for trumpet and electronics).
The 2016–17 season will feature performances of Manarah by the Princeton and Columbus Symphonies, the premiere of his trio for flute, viola and harp with the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, and residencies at the Millay Colony for the Arts, the Ucross Foundation, the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, the Studios of the Key West, and the Bogliasco Foundation. His recent distinctions include a Jerome Fund Commission from the American Composers Forum, the Palmer Dixon Award from the Juilliard School, the Aaron Copland Residency Award, and multiple awards from ASCAP, BMI, and the Vancouver Chamber Choir.
His orchestral works have been performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, and the American Composers Orchestra. His choral works have been performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Ariose Singers, and the Hollywood Master Chorale.
Born in Georgia and raised in California, Haddad studied composition with Donald Crockett, Stephen Hartke, Frank Ticheli, and Bruce Broughton at the University of Southern California (Bachelor of Music) and with John Corigliano and Mari Kimura at the Juilliard School (Master of Music).
For more information and updates, please visit www.saadnhaddad.com and follow his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/saadhaddadcomposer