Brett Dean, viola & composer-in-residence

A formidable violist and impressive composer, Brett Dean is among the most internationally performed composers of his generation. His works, drawing from literary, political and visual stimuli, are championed by conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Markus Stenz and Daniel Harding. In 2009, Mr. Dean won the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for his violin concerto The Lost Art of Letter Writing. He has been commissioned by the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Dean’s recent premières include his first full-length opera, Bliss, at Opera Australia, and his String Quintet, Epitaphs, at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest. Mr. Dean will be the artist in residence at the Swedish Chamber Orchestra for the 2010-11 season.