Leilehua Lanzilotti
Leilehua Lanzilotti is a Kanaka Maoli
(Native Hawaiian) composer/sound
artist dedicated to the arts of our
time. A “leading composer-performer”
(The New York Times), Lanzilotti’s
work is characterized by explorations
of timbre and an interest in translating
everyday sounds to concert
instruments using nontraditional
techniques. Her musical voice is
grounded in experimental practices,
both through influences as part of
the network of musicians/artists in
the Wandelweiser collective, and
her own explorations into radical
indigenous contemporaneity.
Lanzilotti was honored to be a finalist
for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Music
for her string orchestra piece, with
eyes the color of time, which the
Pulitzer committee called, “a vibrant
composition that distinctly combines
experimental string textures and
episodes of melting lyricism.”
To reach new audiences and share
contemporary music, Lanzilotti
has published articles in Music &
Literature and Neue Zeitschrift für
Musik, and written program notes
for the London Symphony Orchestra
and liner notes for Kaija Saariaho/
Jennifer Koh among others.
Dr. Lanzilotti studied at Oberlin
Conservatory of Music, Yale School
of Music and Manhattan School of
Music. In addition, Lanzilotti was an
orchestral fellow in the Rundfunk-
Sinfonieorchester Berlin and New
World Symphony.
Featured Works
Photos from Helen (Leilehua Lanzilotti)
Year Written:
2023
ACO Event: