John van Buren

Canzona

Born in Portland, Oregon (USA) in 1952, John Van Buren studied composition with Milko Kelemen at the Stuttgart Conservatory. Just one year after completing his studies he won the composition prize awarded by the city of Stuttgart. His works, which include solo and chamber music, choral and electronic music as well as compositions for large orchestras, have been played by major ensembles and orchestras. Performances of his work in a number of German opera houses and in international centres of music and recordings are an indication of growing public interest in his music. The use of a wide variety of playing techniques and methods of expression in a very short piece was one of the main aims of this composition written in 1995 as a contribution to the "Jugend musiziert" competition.