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BRYCE DESSNER Lachrimae

BRYCE DESSNER Lachrimae

“ For many people in the music conservatory world the message was always : Focus ! You can ’ t do everything ; you really need to specialize . And , especially at an early age , I ignored this advice .” – Dessner
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1976 in Cincinnati , OH
• Dessner grew up in Ohio playing music with his brother , Andrew . His early training was on the flute before switching to classical guitar in his teens . He earned his bachelor ’ s and master ’ s degrees in music from Yale University .
• In 1999 , Bryce and his brother formed the band The National in New York City . The band has played in some of the world ’ s largest and most renowned venues and has won a Grammy Award .
• Dessner is a multi-faceted musician who has won Grammys both as a classical composer and with his band . As if that wasn ’ t enough , he has composed scores for such acclaimed movies as the Oscar-winning film The Revenant . He is one of the most sought-after composers of his generation , and his music has been performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic , Orchestre de Paris , Kronos Quartet , and Eighth Blackbird .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE

2012

MUSIC Whitney Houston passes away
FILM The Hunger Games
FUN FACT
When he was in his twenties , Dessner was in a band called Clogs with musicians he met in school .
LITERATURE Encyclopedia Britannica discontinues its print edition
ABOUT THE PIECE
• The work , co-commissioned by Amsterdam Sinfonietta , Scottish Ensemble , and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra was composed in 2012 and premiered at the Holland Festival .
• The piece ’ s title is derived from the Latin word meaning weeping or tearful and , according to the composer , is a direct reference to John Dowland ’ s work of the same name . Benjamin Britten also composed a work based on the same piece by Dowland .
ART Amy Sherald ’ s Grand Dame Queenie
SPORTS Usain Bolt breaks three relay world records at the 2012 London Olympics
HISTORY Vladimir Putin is elected President of Russia
BSO SESSIONS | JANUARY 2021
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