Mark Vigil

Works by Mark Vigil

Biography

I was born in Spokane Washington USA in 1954. I became fond of music at the age of fifteen. I was introduced to classical music when I began to take piano lessons. In 1967 My dad took me to an all Brahms concert by the Spokane symphony. There I was able to meet, in person, the South American pianist Claudio Arau. I was also fortunate to hear Brahm’s 3rd symphony. After being immersed in the 3rd movement “Poco Allegretto” I knew I was smitten with classical music. I received my Bachelor’s degree in piano performance and composition from the Cornish Institute of the Allied Arts located in Seattle Washington. I graduated cum laude in 1981. I was accepted into the University of Oregon School of Music Master’s degree program in composition. Later I was to study composition privately with Tomas Svoboda. I appreciate the beauty, calm and stillness of nature, of gentle creeks and kind rivers. I love humor. I like being a vegetarian. I appreciate talent, lyricism and good counterpoint.

About the music

I strive to be a versatile composer. I should always renovate my craftsmanship. I feel determined to churn out musical works of art. I am a composer of music not sound. I consider myself a non-tonal contemporary classical composer. Stylistically, my music is creative, accessible, likable and musically fertile. I strive to make each piece unlike any other of my pieces so as to ensure a sense of freshness and originality. With each new piece of music I create I like to imagine that I am being paid. This helps me to work hard and keeps my music void of mediocrity. There is a minutiae of dissonance in my music, I admit, after all I am a contemporary classical composer but still I try earnestly not to push the envelope of tolerance and shock the listener’s ear. I would rather not use music to give voice to political or social commentary. As a composer I have something to say. I would just like to say how beautiful, interesting, evocative and compelling life is.