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Antony Cooke (born 3 August 1948, in Sydney,
Australia), is an American cellist, recording artist, former university professor, composer, and author of published books and articles on musicology and astronomy. Cooke's formal music and musicology training in London and subsequent career as a professional musician and recording artist are complemented by his intensive studies into astronomy.
Life and career
Cooke is the son of cellist
Nelson R. Cooke, and was born in Sydney, Australia in 1948 while his father was playing for the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The family moved to London when his father was appointed principal cellist of the
London Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's Hall Orc ...
.
Indeed, Nelson Cooke was recognized for his contributions to Australia in particular in 2011, when he was honored by the Governor-General of Australia with The Order of Australia AM, one of the highest awards that an Australian citizen can receive. Antony Cooke shares in his father's selection of the cello as a principal musical instrument; similarly, Antony Cooke has performed as a principal cellist and soloist in concerts throughout Europe and the United States.
Cooke was a protégé of the Helen Just who was both a cellist of the
English String Quartet and a professor at the
Royal College
A royal college in some Commonwealth countries is technically a college which has received royal patronage and permission to use the prefix ''royal''. Permission is usually granted through a royal charter. The charter normally confers a constitut ...
. Cooke studied theory and historical musicology under John Wilkinson, composition under
Nadia Boulanger
Juliette Nadia Boulanger (; 16 September 188722 October 1979) was a French music teacher and conductor. She taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century, and also performed occasionally as a pianist and organist.
From a ...
protégé
John Lambert John Lambert may refer to:
*John Lambert (martyr) (died 1538), English Protestant martyred during the reign of Henry VIII
*John Lambert (general) (1619–1684), Parliamentary general in the English Civil War
* John Lambert of Creg Clare (''fl.'' c. ...
, and conducting under
Sir Colin Davis
Sir Colin Rex Davis (25 September 1927 – 14 April 2013) was an English conductor, known for his association with the London Symphony Orchestra, having first conducted it in 1959. His repertoire was broad, but among the composers with whom h ...
.
In London, Cooke obtained Artist Diplomas from both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. As a young
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
soloist, Cooke was regularly featured as a recitalist and concerto soloist under conductors such as
Colin Davis and
Harry Blech, including appearances at the
Royal Festival Hall,
Queen Elizabeth Hall, and
Bath International Music Festival
The Bath International Music Festival was held late each spring in Bath, South West England between 1948 and 2016. The festival included many genres such as Jazz, Classical, World and Folk and merged with the Bath Literature Festival in 2017 to c ...
. In 1971, he was consequently appointed principal cellist of England's premier chamber orchestra at the time, the
London Mozart Players
London Mozart Players (LMP) are a British chamber orchestra founded in 1949. LMP are the longest-established chamber orchestra in the United Kingdom. Since 1989, the orchestra has been Resident Orchestra at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
History
B ...
, making Cooke the youngest principal cellist in the country.
Move to the United States
Cooke moved to the United States in 1974, where he was appointed professor of cello at the
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with its main campus located in Tampa, Florida, and other campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota. It is one of 12 members of the State University System of Florida. USF i ...
. In 1980 Cooke was appointed Associate Professor of Cello at
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.
Charte ...
in Chicago, and was a member of the Regenstein Trio during his time there.
In 1984, Cooke moved to Los Angeles, California, where he established himself as a film and television composer.
Cooke was the principal cellist in the orchestra that performed the score for ''
Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.''
Cooke is a founding member of the Emerson Trio with pianist Donna Coleman and violinist Endre Balogh.
Cooke has authored numerous books and articles on music, astronomy and
astrometeorology.
Public reception
Record reviews
Cooke has been praised for his "sterling abilities, with technical accomplishments ideally counterpoised by a fertile imagination and volcanic temperament" (
Fanfare May 1996), and "rich, sonorous tone…performances involving, thoughtful and polished" (
American Record Guide
The ''American Record Guide'' (''ARG'') is a classical music magazine. It has reviewed classical music recordings since 1935.
History and profile
The magazine was founded by Peter Hugh Reed in May 1935 as the ''American Music Lover''. It chang ...
Nov. 2005).
Cooke's recording of
Kodály's
Solo Cello Sonata, Op. 8 was hailed as "the finest recent performance" by
Fanfare (Nov. 1998). Stereo Review (now
Sound and Vision
"Sound and Vision" is a song by English musician David Bowie. It was released in January 1977 by RCA Records on side one of his 11th studio album '' Low''. RCA later chose it as the first single from the album. Co-produced by Bowie and Tony ...
), called his recording of the Solo Sonata "vibrant and dedicated" (Feb 1998), and the
American Record Guide
The ''American Record Guide'' (''ARG'') is a classical music magazine. It has reviewed classical music recordings since 1935.
History and profile
The magazine was founded by Peter Hugh Reed in May 1935 as the ''American Music Lover''. It chang ...
commended Cooke as a "solid technician of unusual poise…..this CD does indeed demonstrate cello power" (Sept. 1997). Commentary in
American Poems stated it was a "must own" CD. Michale Barone, in his review of Cooke's 2009 recording of the Kodály Solo Sonata, for Minnesota Public Radio Classical Show (25 March 2010), described Cooke's playing as "impassioned and exhilarating... Antony Cooke survives the challenge brilliantly!"
Of the same recording, the review in ''American Record Guide'' was less effusive: "Not my favorite reading, but a good one!" Mike D. Brownell criticized Cooke's playing for allmusic.com, claiming that Cooke "gets carried away musically...." "So filled with rubato is Cooke's interpretation that the usually powerful, forward-moving piece nearly comes to a stand-still on several occasions. Chords are played with a tiresome delay at the bottom half that makes Cooke's playing predictable."
Astronomy book reviews
''
Astronomy Now
''Astronomy Now'' is a monthly British magazine on astronomy and space. According to the Royal Astronomical Society, ''Astronomy Now'' is the "principal amateur astronomy magazine in Britain" with a reputed circulation of 24,000.
The magazine ...
'' remarked in May 2004 that Cooke's "Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs" (2003) is "a must buy for the city astronomer." ''Southern Stars'' (Vol. 43 (1), March 2004) stated that this book “should be considered an essential for today's amateur who has to endure light pollution". In 2005, the ''
Journal of the Auckland Astronomical Society'' commented on "Visual Astronomy under Dark Skies," stating that it was "highly recommended for visual observers who want to push their eyeball observing to the limit."
However, Stewart Moore criticized Cooke's explanations of the basic operation of intensifiers in the ''
Journal of the British Astronomical Association'', stating that "anyone wanting detailed technical information on the operation of intensifiers will also need to look elsewhere."
On "Astronomy and the Climate Crisis", Arthur Upgren for the ''
American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...
'' ''Choice'' publication (Vol. 50 (8), April, 2013) wrote: "This book thoroughly covers the ways in which global warming has been studied and conclusions drawn... a valuable addition to the literature; useful for libraries serving schools at the graduate level of study."
Recordings
* Music for Cello and Wind Orchestra (Golden Crest, 1978)
*
D. Kabalewsky: Sonata,
Pietro Locatelli
Pietro Antonio Locatelli (3 September 1695 in Bergamo – 30 March 1764 in Amsterdam) was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist.
Biography Bergamo
Little is known about Locatelli's childhood. In his early youth he was the third violinist ...
: Sonata in D; (Armin Watkins, Piano; Golden Crest, 1980)
* A Recital of Music for Violin and Cello.
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály (; hu, Kodály Zoltán, ; 16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is well known internationally as the creator of the Kodály method of music edu ...
: Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7;
Bohuslav Martinů: Duo
2for Violin and Cello;
Handel-Halvorsen: Passacaglia for Violin and Cello; (Myron Kartman, Violin; Golden Crest, 1982)
* Music for Cello and Percussion. Works by
David Baker and
Niccolò Paganini
Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini (; 27 October 178227 May 1840) was an Italian violinist and composer. He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. His 24 Caprices fo ...
(Golden Crest, 1983)
* Hungarian Music for Cello and Piano. Works by
Ernő Dohnányi
Ernő or Erno is a Finnish and Hungarian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Ernő Balogh (1897-1989), Hungarian pianist, composer, editor, and educator
* Ernő Bánk (1883-1962), Hungarian painter and teacher
* Ernő B ...
,
Béla Bartók,
Jenő Hubay
Jenő Hubay, Jenő Hubay von Szalatna, hu, szalatnai Hubay Jenő (; 15 September 185812 March 1937), also known by his German name Eugen Huber (), was a Hungarian violinist, composer and music teacher.
Early life
Hubay was born into a Ger ...
,
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály (; hu, Kodály Zoltán, ; 16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is well known internationally as the creator of the Kodály method of music edu ...
(Resort Classic; re-released, Centaur, 1995)
* Splendors of the 20th Century. Works by
Ludwig Thuille
Ludwig Wilhelm Andreas Maria Thuille (Bozen, 30 November 1861 – 5 February 1907) was an Austrian composer and teacher, numbered for a while among the leading operatic composers of the so-called Munich School of composers, whose most famous repre ...
,
Esa-Pekka Salonen
Esa-Pekka Salonen (; born 30 June 1958) is a Finnish orchestral conductor and composer. He is principal conductor and artistic advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and music di ...
and
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith (; 16 November 189528 December 1963) was a German composer, music theorist, teacher, violist and conductor. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively in Europe. As a composer, he became a major advocate of the ' ...
(Resort Classic; re-released, Centaur, 1997)
* The Power of the Cello. Works by
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian (; rus, Арам Ильич Хачатурян, , ɐˈram ɨˈlʲjitɕ xətɕɪtʊˈrʲan, Ru-Aram Ilyich Khachaturian.ogg; hy, Արամ Խաչատրյան, ''Aram Xačʿatryan''; 1 May 1978) was a Soviet and Armenia ...
,
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály (; hu, Kodály Zoltán, ; 16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is well known internationally as the creator of the Kodály method of music edu ...
,
Elizabeth Maconchy
Dame Elizabeth Violet Maconchy LeFanu (; 19 March 1907 – 11 November 1994) was an Irish-English composer. She is considered to be one of the finest composers Great Britain and Ireland have produced.
Biography
Elizabeth Violet Maconchy was b ...
&
Kessler (Resort Classic, 1997)
*
Sergei Rachmaninoff:
Sonata in G minor, Op. 19;
Dmitry Kabalevsky
Dmitry Borisovich Kabalevsky (russian: Дми́трий Бори́сович Кабале́вский ; 14 February 1987) was a Soviet composer, conductor, pianist and pedagogue of Russian gentry descent.
He helped set up the Union of Soviet Co ...
: Sonata, Op. 71; (Resort Classic; re-released, Centaur, 1999)
*
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...
: The Complete Works for Cello and Piano (Centaur, 2002)
* Homage to Chopin.
Frédéric Chopin:
Cello Sonata
A cello sonata is usually a sonata written for solo cello with piano accompaniment. The most famous Romantic-era cello sonatas are those written by Johannes Brahms and Ludwig van Beethoven. Some of the earliest cello sonatas were written in the 1 ...
& misc. (Centaur, 2008)
* Antony Cooke: The Solo Cello. Works by
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály (; hu, Kodály Zoltán, ; 16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is well known internationally as the creator of the Kodály method of music edu ...
,
Aram Khachaturian
Aram Ilyich Khachaturian (; rus, Арам Ильич Хачатурян, , ɐˈram ɨˈlʲjitɕ xətɕɪtʊˈrʲan, Ru-Aram Ilyich Khachaturian.ogg; hy, Արամ Խաչատրյան, ''Aram Xačʿatryan''; 1 May 1978) was a Soviet and Armenia ...
,
Alan Hovhaness
Alan Hovhaness (; March 8, 1911 – June 21, 2000) was an American- Armenian composer. He was one of the most prolific 20th-century composers, with his official catalog comprising 67 numbered symphonies (surviving manuscripts indicate over 70) a ...
and
Richard Arnell
Richard Anthony Sayer Arnell (15 September 191710 April 2009) was an English composer of classical music. Arnell composed in all the established genres for the concert stage, and his list of works includes six completed symphonies (a seventh w ...
(Centaur, 2010)
*
Johannes Brahms: Three Sonatas for Cello and Piano. (Centaur, 2011)
Bibliography
*''Charles Ives: The Making of the Composer'' (2017)
*''Charles Ives and His Road to the Stars, A New Interpretation, Assessment and Guide to the Music and the Man'' (Estrella Books, 2013)
*''Charles Ives and His Road to the Stars, A Guide to the Music and the Man, 2nd Edition'' (Infinity Publishing, 2016)
*''Editor: Beyond the Bow'' (Estrella Books, 2012)
*''Charles Ives's Musical Universe'' (Infinity Publishing, 2015)
*''The Ailments of Charles Ives and his Family'' (Working Title, Forthcoming Journal Article)
*''Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs: A Guide to Spectacular Viewing'' (Springer, 2003)
*''Visual Astronomy Under Dark Skies: A New Approach to Observing Deep Space'' (Springer, 2005)
*''An Approach to Left Hand Articulation; Florida Music Director'' (May 1983): 10.
*''Help with Specialized Bowing Techniques; American String Teacher'' (Spring 1983): 22–23.
*''Left Hand Principles for Cellists; The Instrumentalist'' (April 1984): 56–59.
*''Make Time for the Stars: Fitting Astronomy into Your Busy Life'' (Springer 2009)
*''Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and Dust Lanes'' (Springer, 2012)
*''Astronomy and the Climate Crisis'' (Springer, 2012)
Published compositions
*Western
Overture (Kendor 1979)
["Antony Cooke: Career, Record Reviews, Astronomy Book Reviews, Teaching Positions, Recordings, Published Books (astronomy), Published Compositions, Notes, and a List of Books by Author Antony Cooke." Trade Books for Free, Book Swap, Trade Audiobooks » PaperBack Swap. PaperBackSwap.com. Web. 27 Sep 2011. .]
*Herculaneum (Kendor 1979)
*Variation on an English Air (Studio P/R 1985)
*
Fantasia on a Traditional Australian Melody (Studio P/R 1985)
*Outback Work Song (Studio P/R 1986)
*Spirit of the Land (Studio P/R 1986)
*Hungarian Dance (Kjos, adapt/arr. 1990)
*
Wings
A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject to aerodynamic forces and act as airfoils. A wing's aerodynamic efficiency is expre ...
(music for NBC TV series; theme adapt/arr Schubert 1991)
References
External links
Antony Cooke, Independent Researcher, Scholarly Works via Google ScholarAntony Cooke, Profile via WorldCat (oclc.org)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooke, Antony
1948 births
Living people
Alumni of the Royal College of Music
Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music
American classical cellists
American male composers
21st-century American composers
American astronomers
American non-fiction writers
Musicians from Sydney
Australian emigrants to the United States
University of South Florida faculty
Northwestern University faculty
21st-century American male musicians
Centaur Records artists
21st-century cellists