Cristina Spinei Explained

Cristina Spinei (born February 29, 1984) is a Nashville-based American composer.[1] She is best known for her work with ballet; she has been commissioned by the Nashville ballet,[2] the New York Choreographic Institute,[3] and the Pacific Northwest Ballet.[4]

Biography

Cristina Spinei was born in Connecticut[5] and started playing piano by the age of 9.[6] She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees from the Juilliard School where she studied with Christopher Rouse.[7] She has been called “one of the most talented young composers in America” by Grammy award-winning composer/conductor José Serebrier.[8] Spinei is recipient of the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Grant for Composition, the Composer Assistance Award from the American Music Center, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts composition grant, the New York State Council on the Arts composition grant, and the Composition Award from the Arts Recognition and Talent Search.[9]

Spinei's ballets and other compositions have been performed throughout the United States and internationally.[10] She also Performs her own music,[11] most notably with the Nashville Ballet in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

She is co-founder of Blind Ear Music, a New York-based group that combines new music with cutting-edge technology. Blind Ear has been featured at the World Technology Awards and on YouTube's weekly "Spotlight on Music" section. Blind Ear was cited as "the future of music" in an interview for BBC's World Today.[12]

Spinei's first album, Music for Dance (Toccata Classics), made its debut in 2016.[13] The Album was characterized by the critic Dean Frey as having a “strong lyrical streak with an open, folk-like feeling and a dollop of pop.”[14]

Spinei's most recent project is her second full length album, Ex Voto.[15] In February 2020, she performed pieces from the album new music venue National Sawdust in Brooklyn.[16]

In addition to her own records, Spinei's music appears on the debut album of Trio Celeste,[17] as well as on St. Michel Strings’ album Adagio, a record nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.[18]

Recent works

References

  1. Web site: Nashville Composer Cristina Spinei's Debut Album Explores the Rhythms of Dance. Nashville Scene. 18 August 2016 . en. 2020-03-13.
  2. Web site: Cristina Spinei. Morley. Steve. 2017-09-08. The East Nashvillian. en-US. 2020-03-13.
  3. Web site: 2022-03-30 . Listen to Nashville composer Cristina Spinei's 'Spiral,' commissioned by YourClassical . 2024-06-13 . www.yourclassical.org . en.
  4. Web site: Cristina Spinei, Composer. www.acmusic.org. 2020-03-13. 2020-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20201205172435/https://www.acmusic.org/members/spinei-cristina/. dead.
  5. Web site: Composer Cristina Spinei talks music, upcoming show at Franklin Theatre. Reports. Herald. Williamson Herald. 17 September 2015 . en. 2020-03-13.
  6. Web site: Composer Cristina Spinei talks music, upcoming show at Franklin Theatre. Reports. Herald. Williamson Herald. 17 September 2015 . en. 2020-03-13.
  7. Web site: StackPath. local.nashvillescene.com. 2020-03-13.
  8. Web site: TEDxNashvilleWomen features all-female speakers, including two with Williamson ties. Williamson Home Page. 22 November 2018 . en. 2020-03-13.
  9. Web site: KDNY Presents 'Treading Puddles' World Premieres Series, 12/3 - 12/6. BWW News Desk. BroadwayWorld.com. en. 2020-03-13.
  10. Book: Hodges, Ben (Benjamin A.) Willis, John (John A.). Theatre world 2008-2009. 2009. Applause Theatre & Cinema. 978-1-4234-7369-5. 862139627.
  11. Web site: Attitude: Other Voices - TPAC. Tennessee Performing Arts Center. en-US. 2020-03-13.
  12. Web site: Cristina Spinei, Composer. www.acmusic.org. 2020-03-13. 2020-12-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20201205172435/https://www.acmusic.org/members/spinei-cristina/. dead.
  13. Web site: Nashville Composer Cristina Spinei's Debut Album Explores the Rhythms of Dance. Nashville Scene. 18 August 2016 . en. 2020-03-13.
  14. Web site: https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B01MQ2C1AL. www.amazon.com. 2020-03-13.
  15. Web site: Listen to Cristina Spinei's 'Ex Voto' ahead of this Saturday's album release show at Brooklyn venue National Sawdust. mikewaite22. 2020-02-27. en. 2020-03-13.
  16. Cristina Spinei. The New Yorker. en. 2020-03-13.
  17. Web site: Trio Céleste Trio Céleste. 11 May 2013. en-US. 2020-03-13.
  18. Web site: Alba ABCD 341 Adagio, NOMINEE of the 14th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Alba Records. www.alba.fi. 2020-03-13. 2020-02-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20200225063354/http://www.alba.fi/en/info/news/5102. dead.

Arts JournalThe New York TimesNashville Arts

External links