Carter Larsen

Carter Lawrence Larsen is an American classical pianist and composer, known mostly for his European performances in the 1980s. He focuses on piano and orchestra composition and has composed more than 600 pieces, including work for film scores.

Early life and education Larsen was born in San Francisco, California. He began piano studies at the age of six and started composing music in his teens. He graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and pursued a career as composer and pianist. He studied composition under John Adams and piano under Milton Salkind (Conservatory president) and Mack McCray. After studying at Conservatory, he worked with Peter Feuchtwanger and Ruth Nye in London, and Vlado Perlemuter in Paris.

Musical style and compositions Larsen is credited with having created a new style of 21st-century romanticism, which combined 19th-century romanticism with 20th century influences such as jazz, minimalism and world music. He is deemed a prolific composer, with more than 600 piano and orchestra works including Fantasia Suite, The Cosmos Symphonic Suite and Symphonies on The Lake to his name.

Andrea Van de Kamp, Chairman Emeritus of the Music Center in Los Angeles, said “Fantasia Suite" was "the music of the future." She described Larsen's 21st century, Neo-Romantic approach as a "breakthrough", and said he had embraced the best of classical culture while exploring other forms of creativity. Scott Epstein complimented Larsen's music, describing it as "personal, deeply felt and sophisticated", and said Larsen had resisted conventional labels and pursued his own path. Larsen's approach to the piano, though modern and individual, has been influential in the compositions of classical and romantic composers.

Performances and appearances Larsen became known in Europe for his piano performances of the High Romantics. His interpretations of Liszt, Grieg, Rachmaninoff and Saint-Saëns won acclaim from audiences and critics. He both conducted and performed as a soloist in major concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1986, his performance in London of Chopin's music was broadcast on BBC Television's "Omnibus " program. He performed several world premieres and recordings of previously unknown works of Liszt and Saint-Saëns. In 1989, he became the first pianist to make a complete CD recording of Saint-Saëns' solo piano music. He established himself as a composer, and premiered four original compositions alongside the classics, which were first broadcast in 1994 on the UK's Classic FM "Platform Live". He served as conductor in the 70th Academy Awards.

Larsen performed in China at the Shanghai Grand Theatre during Shanghai Expo 2010. At the closing night of the International Film Festival and the Shanghai Music Festival, he performed classics, original compositions and improvisations. The concert was covered by two television stations broadcasting to a total estimated audience of 500 million, and was the first time CNN had interviewed an artist for the Grand Theatre. The Shanghai International Channel and the Shanghai Arts Channel filmed a documentary of the concert.

Larsen's Volumes

Since 1973, Larsen has written over 600 piano and orchestra works in Fantasia Suite and The Cosmos Symphonic Suite.

Volume I – ARCADIA – Solo Piano Volume II – NEXUS – Solo Piano Volume III – EMERANCE – Solo Piano Volume IV – ODYSSEY – Solo Piano Volume V – KALIDA – Solo Piano Volume VI – ALTURAS – Solo Piano Volume VII – SENZI – Solo Piano for Kids Volume X – BRIDGES AND BEYOND – Piano and Orchestra Volume XI – LEGENDS OF THE COSMOS – Piano and Orchestra Volume XII – DIVINATION – Piano and Orchestra Volume XIII – FANTASIAS – Piano and Orchestra Volume Xa – BRIDGES AND BEYOND – Two Pianos Volume XIa – LEGENDS OF THE COSMOS – Two Pianos Volume XIIa – DIVINATION – Two Pianos Volume XIIIa – FANTASIAS – Two Pianos Volume XV – FAROS – Orchestra Volume XVI – REISCHEN – Orchestra Volume XVII – PARSCHADA – Orchestra Volume XVIII – VIAMALA – Orchestra Volume XIX – ZILLIS – Orchestra Volume XX – STARLERA – Orchestra Volume XXI – RHEINWALD – Orchestra Volume XXII – AVERS – Orchestra Volume XXIII – WERGENSTEIN – Orchestra Volume XXIV – CRESTA – Orchestra Volume XXV – MADRISCH – Orchestra Volume XXVI – BARENBURG – Orchestra Volume XXX – CIRCADIANCE – Instrumental

Music in film Larsen has written film and television scores, including music for major Hollywood studios. He composed music for various films, including Paramount's Star Trek, Nosferatu, Masterpiece Theatre, and The Mark of Zorro. Larsen's films "Innocents Mission" and Love Bytes premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and his feature Big Shots premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

List of compositions

Fantasia Suite Arcadia Flight, Op. 7 Reverence, Op. 36 Lumiere, Op. 28 Soliloquy, Op. 10 Bridges, Op. 3 Elegie, Op. 1 Brunella, Op. 22 Someday, Op. 2 Celebration, Op. 21 Spirit of Auriel, Op. 18 Seagulls of Capri, Op. 5 Gypsy’s Waltz, Op. 13 Carousel, Op. 25 Eternal Rhapsodie, Op. 4 Nexus Ethereal Nights, Op. 6 Innocence, Op. 17 Raging Light, Op. 33 Solstice, Op. 12 Circus Waltz, Op. 31 Dernier Voyage, Op. 37 Dragonfly, Op. 46 Moonlit Nostalgia, Op. 26 Spinato, Op. 68 Esprit, Op. 38 Lament, Op. 8 Mass Ascension Op. 9 Emerance Seacliff, Op. 27 Elysia, Op. 29 Cirrus, Op. 11 To the Wind, Op. 41 The Game, Op. 67 Leonora, Op. 42 Spectrum of Triumph, Op. 16 Dimanche, Op. 32 Mercurious, Op. 73 Santorini Op. 35 Odyssey Sirens in Trancoso Op. 62 Tale of Velasco Op. 72 Iris Op. 107 Call Of Asturias Op. 66 Realization Op. 63 Firestorm Op. 69 Prophecy Op. 49 Delphi Crystals Op. 79 Esaltante Op. 105 Euphoric Odyssey Op. 45 Reminiscence Op. 20 Ratanga Op. 61 The Gift Op. 14 Enrique’s Song Op. 59 Lance of Soleris Op. 95 March To The Cosmos Op. 44 Kalida Sapphire Op. 47 Reflect Op. 48 Amore E Destino Op. 34 Kai Op. 19 Folletta Op. 75 Spectre Op. 40 Valse Pensif Op. 51 Alexei’s Mission Op. 86 The Vision Op. 30 Scherzana Op. 52 Rainbow Op. 24 Mirage Op. 15 Alturas The Story of Glory Op. 126 Fate Op. 114 Fly with Me Op.127 Walls Of Troy Op. 14 Solemnity Op. 132 Celeste Op. 64 Passion Op. 118 Harp Whispers Op. 135 Resurrection Op. 122 Forest Mist Op. 124 Eternal Love Op. 140 Zampilli Op. 117 Azure Op. 98 Luna Romantica Op. 139 Danza Triste Op. 134 Sweet Sorrow Op. 121 Silence Of Love Op. 101 Dream Of Verona Op. 43 Fall River Op. 138 Innocence Op. 136 Full Sail Op. 148 Scarecrow Op. 149 Window to Kaja Op. 143 The Nomad Op. 142 Love At Sunset Op. 131 Lago Misterioso Op. 133 Land Of The Free Op. 130 Crystal Heart Op. 23 Bridges and Beyond Bridges Op. 148 Gipsy's Waltz Op. 149 Elegie Op. 150 Eternal Rhapsodie Op. 151 Legends of the Cosmos Lemuria Op. 152 Pyramids Of Atlantis Op. 153 The Gift Op. 154 Twilight Of Sitara Op. 155 Divination Spring Vision Op. 77 Transcendence Op. 78 The Maverick Op. 79 Dawn Of Freedom Op. 80 Fantasias Ethereal Nights Op. 156 Solstice Op. 157 Spectrums of Triumph Op. 158 Labyrinth in the Stars Emanation Op. 161 Utopia Illuminated Op. 162 Holograph Op. 163 Nemesis of the Spheres Op. 164 Golden Galaxy Op. 165 The Cosmos Symphonic Suite Faros Artasia Op. 233 Heimdall’s Ruins Op. 227 Of Hope and Sorrow Op. 197 Circles Of Time Op. 173 Silent Gates Op. 210 Columns Of The Universe Op. 175 Reischen Rohllor Op. 198 Statues Of Dust Op. 223 Silver Wizard Op. 208 The Golden Cathedral Op. 217 Swords Of Fire Op. 222 Parschada Divinity And Phantasos Op. 199 The Sacret Stone Op. 220 Cosmic Juggler Op. 207 Ascension Op. 185 Gates Of Paradise Op. 228 Viamala Arcasius Op. 232 Terror Of Ragnus Op. 224 Angels and Death Op. 212 Twisted Velocity Op. 204 Call Of The Warriors Op. 181 Zillis Hillor Op. 203 Cristal Prophecy Op. 201 Volsina And The Harlequin Op. 215 Ephifany of Ersani Op. 205 Storms and Zephira Op. 174 Starlera Balderia Op. 192 The Secret Veil Op. 206 Freya And The Kaleidoscope Op. 182 The Hour Glass Op. 202 Angel Warriors Op. 184 Rheinvald Eyron Op. 172 Transmigration Op. 226 March Of The Kingdom Op. 186 Sky Whispers Op. 209 Archillusion Op. 231 Force Of Destiny Op. 191 Avers Thorus Op. 190 Wizard And The Spyglass Op. 193 Aurora Borealis Op. 211 Echos From The Galaxy Op. 176 View From Above Op. 179 Wergenstein Splendor Of Arasma Op. 213 Rainbow Messanger Op. 219 Astral Voices Op. 187 Celestial Jokers Op. 229 The Abyss Of Tharsis Op. 178 Return Of The Kings Op. 189 Cresta Uuniverse Of Esoss Op. 218 Tears And Sifius Op. 214 The Illusionist Op. 221 Voices Of Time Op. 183 Warriors In White Op. 180 Madrisch Andalos Op. 188 Salina And The Conquistador Op. 177 Myth Of Kratos Op. 225 Spanish Masquerade Op. 216 Zodiac Fiesta Op. 171 Bärenburg Heralon Op. 200 Wisdom Of Omega Op. 195 Terina’s Castle Op. 230 Eternal Reflection Op. 194 Skydust Op. 196 Final Triumph Op. 170 Symphonies on The Lake Stresa Isola Bella Laveno Pallanza Lesa Isola Madre Arona Santa Caterina Feriolo Angera Isola dei Pescatori Belgirate

Recordings Romantic Rarities – Solo Piano LP Vinyl, Audio Cassette 1984 – CD 2023 Music for Piano – Camille Saint-Saëns - 1989 Scoring Selections for Piano and Orchestra– 1995 Melodic MontageSolo Piano – 1999 – 2023 Film Scoring for Piano and Orchestra - 2001 Original Music for Film and Television - 2003 Film Scoring for Piano and Orchestra - 2004 Live at St. Martins In The Fields – Solo Piano – 2010 Fantasia Suite – Solo Piano, Double CD – 2010 – 2015 Bach Improvisations – Solo Piano – 2010 – 2023 Fantasia Suite – Piano and Orchestra – 2017 Bridges & Beyond – Fantasias – Piano & Orchestra 2018 – LP Vinyl 2023 Legends of The Cosmos – Piano & Orchestra – 2018 Divination – Piano & Orchestra – 2018 The Labyrinth in the Stars – Piano & Orchestra – 2023 The Cosmos Symphonic Suite – 12 CD's cycle – Piano & Orchestra – 2021 (CD I Faros, CD II Reischen, CD III Parschada, CD VI Viamala) Larsen-Saint-Saëns – Solo Piano – 2023

Film Soundtracks The Healing Chamber - 2002 directed by Peter Dixon Discovery Channel Something to Believe In - 2003 directed by Bonnie Palef produced by Martin Scorsese Star Trek: First Contact -1996 Paramount Studio Mark Of Zorro - 2002 Original Silent World War III - 2000 Fox Studios Impressions - 1994 directed by Bruce Manning Big Shots - 2001 premiered at Cannes Film Festival Awakening Elegie - 2003 Music Video PBS Pierced Heart - 1996 Prophecy Films Innocents Mission - 2001 directed by Eric Tetrault Love Bytes - 2001 premiered at Sundance Film Festival Cannons and Flowers - 1996 BBC Documentary about Chopin and Poland Appassionato - Music Video Widow in White - 1997 directed by John Guillerman Scarecrow - 1995 Red Rocks Productions Fall River - 1999 Backstage Door Production Good bye America - 1996 Quantum Entertainment