Steve Heitzeg

Composer, born in Albert Lea

What is Steve Heitzeg known for?

Born on October 15, 1959, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, Steve Heitzeg is an acclaimed American composer known for his contributions to the field of contemporary classical music. Having started his musical journey in the late 1970s, Heitzeg's works span a wide range of genres, including compositions for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensemble, ballet, and film.

Heitzeg is recognized for infusing themes of environmentalism and social justice into his work, frequently incorporating unusual instrumentation like stones, driftwood, and even whale bones to create thematic resonance. He has composed over 150 pieces, some of his notable works being the award-winning 'On the Day You Were Born,' his 2001 'Nobel Symphony,' and soundtracks for PBS films like 'Death of the Dream' and 'A Marriage: Georgia O'Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz.'

His compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles across the US and Europe, including renowned ones like the Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Houston Symphony, and others. His pieces have been conducted by eminent personalities like Marin Alsop, Philip Brunelle, JoAnn Falletta, and many more.

Heitzeg's musical journey began in the small Minnesota town of Albert Lea. As a high school student, he was active in the marching band, jazz band, and choir, even writing a rock opera. He further honed his skills at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he graduated from in 1982, before earning his PhD in musical composition from the University of Minnesota in 1986.

One of Heitzeg's doctoral works, 'Nine Surrealist Studies (After Salvador Dali),' inspired by the Spanish surrealist painter, was premiered by the Florida Orchestra in 1987 and received high praise for suggesting the enigma of time and the irrational dream world that so fascinated the famed Spanish painter.

For more information on his life and work, visit his official website here.