Heather Frasch
born 1975

Heather is currently pursuing a MA/Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley where she studies composition with Edmund Campion and David Wessel. Her compositional research includes the use of timbre as a formal element, the development of sound in space, the use of electronics to enlarge the sonorous palette in instrumental works, the performance practice of electronic music, the various possibilities of its diffusion, and the interaction between the computer and the live performer.

Before coming to Berkeley, she lived as an expatriate in France for seven years, first in Paris, then in Lyon. It was in France that her compositional voice was created and her aesthetical foundations were laid. In Paris she studied privately with Narcis Bonet, Yoshishia Taira and Betsy Jolas. In 2005 she received a Medaille d’Argent from le Conservatoire Nationale de Region de Lyon, in composition and electro-acoustic music, under the tutelage of Christophe Maudot and Stephane Borrell. Her work with the French Acousmatique School, working mainly with electronics as a fixed medium, was deeply entrenched in the tradition of Pierre Schaeffer, and the modern interpretation of musique concrete and l’object sonore. She was also exposed to the French tradition of spectral music and its application beyond the pitch world to that of the object.

Also, Heather is still active as a flutist, performing in the bay area as a soloist and with various improvising ensembles. She is interested in breaking from her classical training, developing a more personal style of playing, and expanding the language of the flute, drawing on sounds and textural ideas from her work with electronic music. At Berkeley she has worked closely with Myra Melford in developing her style, and exploring ways to organize improvisations. She has participated in improvising master classes with Fred Frith and Willy Winant. She is hoping to explore more ways to interact as a performer and improviser with electronics.

She has collaborated closely with ensembles throughout the United States, in France, and Holland, resulting subsequently in performances worldwide. This fall she will be attending the SIMC (Seoul International Computer Music Festival) where her piece, Les ephemeres atmosphere will be performed. She has also collaborated with visual artists and dancers, working on sound installations and multimedia creations.  

Selected Works

Sept biospheres vivant dans un marais…: for seven cellos; UC Berkeley, CA May 2006
InerAKtiv/sterEo: for two trumpets; January 2006
Sans histoire: for cello and fixed electronics; UC Berkeley, CA November 2005
Attack/release: for flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano and percussion; Lyon, France May 2005
Les Ephemeres Atmospheres: for guitar, alto flute and fixed electronics; November 2004, Festival of electro-acoustic music (diffusion directed by Bernard Parmegiani), May, June 2004, CNR Lyon
I. Breathless II. All About Breath for Wind Orchestra; Commissioned by the Fiato Complesso; April 2005, July 2005, Utrecht, Holland
Boane: for violin, viola, violoncello, and piano; Commissioned by the New Piano Quartet; March, 2005, Boston
Kling, klong, ow Pheeeew: electro-acoustic piece; January, 2004, CNR of Lyon, France
Bits of Pieces: electro-acoustic piece; May 2003, CNR of Lyon, France
Unfolding: for 2 saxophones, trumpet, trombone, double bass, and electric guitar; May 2002, CNR of Lyon
Keep it Down: for Baritone Saxophone solo; June 2004, Utrect, Holland
Plentitude of Visceral Knowledge: in three movements; For oboe and violoncello; May 2001, CNR of Lyon
Duet for Two Flutes; April 2000, Cite Universitaire, Paris, France
Variations on a Yiddish Theme: for solo piano; January 1999, Cite Universitaire, Paris
Sketches for an Orchestra; July 1998, Aspen Summer Music Festival
Derridan Footsteps: for flute, violoncello and piano; Commissioned by the Faculty New Music Trio; March 1998, Stephan Wolpe Festival
Three Poems by Paul Celan: for two voices and a violoncello; 1.Einmal 2. Espenbaum 3. Du bist mein Tod; November 1997, January 1998, Women Composer Recital; Temple University, Philadelphia
Trio for violin, clarinet and piano; October 1997, Parnassus Trio; Temple University, Philadelphia
Vom Brot und Den Kindlein, text by Bertolot Brecht; Set for flute clarinet, harp and voice