D. J. Sparr

rdf:langString D. J. Sparr

rdf:langString D. J. Sparr

rdf:langString D. J. Sparr

rdf:langString D. J. Sparr (Donald Joseph Sparr, Jr. born October 18, 1975) is an American composer and electric guitar soloist. He is influenced by impressionism and postminimalism, and is one of the preeminent composer-performers of his generation. Sparr's notable compositions include his one-act opera, Approaching Ali (libretto by Mark Campbell and Davis Miller) based on the work "The Tao of Muhammad Ali" by Davis Miller (2013), Concerto for Jazz Guitar and Orchestra: Katrina (2016), Violet Bond: Concerto for electric guitar and orchestra (2013), Dreams of the Old Believers for Orchestra (2014), Optima Vota for Orchestra (2012), Precious Metal: Concerto for flute and winds (2010), The Glam Seduction (2004), Woodlawn Drive (1999), Sound Harmonies with Air (2009), DACCA : DECCA : GaFfA (2008). As an electric guitar soloist, he has performed concertos by Michael Daugherty, Kenneth Fuchs, Derek Bermel, Steven Mackey, and himself with New World Symphony, Alabama Symphony, and Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, among others. He has performed with ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, New Music Raleigh, and the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. His performance of GLACIER for electric guitar and orchestra with London Symphony Orchestra and JoAnn Falletta was one of four concertos included on the all-Kenneth Fuchs 2018 GRAMMY award winning recording released by Naxos. Sparr's eclectic style has been described as "pop-Romantic … iridescent and wondrous" (The Mercury News) and "suits the boundary erasing spirit of today's new-music world" (The New York Times). The Los Angeles Times praised him as "an excellent soloist," and the Santa Cruz Sentinel says that he "wowed an enthusiastic audience … Sparr's guitar sang in a near-human voice." His music has been performed and commissioned by numerous ensembles, including the Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera