{{short description|American musician}} thumb|right|Maya Beiser in 2006 '''Maya Beiser''' (born 31 December 1963) is an American musician, cellist, performing artist and producer who lives in New York City. Beiser was raised on a kibbutz in Israel by her French mother and Argentine father, and graduated from Yale University School of Music. She has been described by the Boston Globe as "a force of nature",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/02/07/otherworldly-labyrinth-sound-vision-gardner-museum/kdDEBf8sqkXCm0vdF8VUfN/story.html|title=Otherworldly 'Labyrinth' of sound, vision at Gardner Museum – The Boston Globe|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> "a cello goddess" by ''The New Yorker'' <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20140227-making-classical-sexy-and-smart|title=Maya Beiser: Making classical music sexy and smart|last=Burton-Hill|first=Clemency|date=26 February 2014 |language=en|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> and "the reigning queen of the avant-garde cello"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/avant-garde-cellist-maya-beisers-daring-hits-full-throttle/2014/11/09/4b8cd7e2-683d-11e4-bafd-6598192a448d_story.html|title=Avant-garde cellist Maya Beiser's daring hits full throttle|last=Brookes|first=Stephen|date=2014-11-09|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> by ''The Washington Post''. Beiser is a 2015 United States Artists Distinguished Music Fellow<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://usartists.squarespace.com/fellows/2015/maya-beiser|title=Maya Beiser|work=United States Artists|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref> and the Inaugural Mellon Distinguished Visiting Artist at the MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://arts.mit.edu/artists/maya-beiser/#about-the-residency|title=Maya Beiser – Arts at MIT|work=Arts at MIT|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Biography == Maya Beiser was born 31 December 1963 in Gazit, a kibbutz in Israel.<ref name=aalmusic>{{cite web|title=Maya Beiser Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/maya-beiser-mn0000643020/biography |first=Robert |last=Cummings |website=AllMusic |date= |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Her mother was French, her father Argentinian.<ref name=guard>{{cite web|title=Maya Beiser: 'I think I was born a nonconformist' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/jan/29/maya-beiser-cellist-new-york-interview |first=Fiona |last=Maddocks |website=TheGuardian.com |date=29 January 2017 |access-date=20 December 2018}}</ref> As a child, she played the piano before switching to the cello.<ref name=aalmusic /><ref name=guard /> At age twelve, she was discovered by the violinist Isaac Stern and embarked on a solo career. Beiser graduated from Yale University School of Music in 1987. She collaborated with composers Louis Andriessen, Steve Reich, David Lang, Tan Dun, Brian Eno, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Gordon, Michael Harrison, Julia Wolfe, Mark Anthony Turnage, visual artists Shirin Neshat, and Bill Morrison, dancer Wendy Whelan and choreographer Lucinda Childs. Beiser was a speaker at the 2011 TED conference in Long Beach California. Her TEDtalk<ref>{{Cite web|website=Ted.com|last=Beiser|first=Maya|title=A cello with many voices|date=17 June 2011 |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/maya_beiser_a_cello_with_many_voices|language=en|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> performance has been watched by over a million people and translated to 34 languages.
Beiser has conceived, performed and produced three multimedia concerts for Carnegie Hall: ''World To Come;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/01/arts/music-review-an-evening-s-adventure-with-a-cellist-and-her-voice.html|title=MUSIC REVIEW; An Evening's Adventure, With a Cellist and Her Voice|last=Tommasini|first=Anthony|date=2003-11-01|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>'' ''Almost Human<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/09/arts/music/an-artistic-trek-across-a-surreal-land-of-sand-and-selfdiscovery.html|title=An Artistic Trek Across a Surreal Land of Sand and Self-Discovery|last=Shattuck|first=Kathryn|date=2006-03-09|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>'', a collaboration with visual artist Shirin Neshat and composer Eve Beglarian; and ''Provenance'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/05/28/127218632/maya-beiser-returns-the-cello-to-the-middle-east|title=Maya Beiser Returns The Cello To The Middle East|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-02-20|language=en}}</ref> which forms the basis of her album of that name. Her production, ''Elsewhere: a CelloOpera,<ref>{{Cite web|via=YouTube|last=Maya Beiser|title=Maya Beiser Elsewhere: A CelloOpera|date=2013-06-05|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK45_xajD74|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref>'' which premiered at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2012, is an imaginative retelling of the Biblical legend of Lot's wife, created with theater director Robert Woodruff, with original text by Erin Cressida Wilson and music by Missy Mazzoli. ''All Vows'', a show that reimagines rock classics such as Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" and Nirvana's "Lithium",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/music/article/Maya-Beiser-review-Cellist-casts-a-rockin-spell-5350985.php|title=Maya Beiser review: Cellist casts a rockin' spell|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> premiered at the San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://visityerbabuena.org/events/maya-beiser-all-vows/|title=Maya Beiser: All Vows {{!}} Visit Yerba Buena|website=visityerbabuena.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> and was presented at BAM Next Wave Festival in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bam.org/allvows|title=All Vows|website=BAM.org|language=en|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> In July 2017, she performed a reimagining of David Bowie's album "Blackstar", arranged for her by the composer Evan Ziporyn with the Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra and Ziporyn conducting.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bowie Symphonic €" Blackstar in concert |url=https://www.barcelona.cat/grec/arxiugrec/es/espectacle/bowie-symphonic-blackstar-concert |website=Barcelona News}}</ref> In August 2018, Beiser premiered Mark Anthony Turnage cello concerto "Maya" at The Proms in London's Royal Albert Hall.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Israeli cellist plays her first prom |journal=The JC |date=10 July 2018 |url=https://www.thejc.com/culture/maya-beiser-prom-1.466827}}</ref>
Maya Beiser's discography includes fourteen solo albums, multiple studio recordings and film music collaborations. She has collaborated with film composer James Newton Howard and is the featured soloist on several films' soundtracks including ''The Happening'', ''The Great Debaters'', ''Blood Diamond'', ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' and ''After Earth''.
Beiser was one of the founding members of the Bang on a Can All Stars.{{when|date=May 2019}}
== Projects == * THE DAY<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-10-20/maya-beiser-david-lang-wendy-whelan-day|title=Review: Cellist Maya Beiser and dancer Wendy Whelan in a 9/11 work like no other|date=Oct 20, 2019|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> * Spinning<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.peakperfs.org/event/spinning/2018-05-12/|title=Spinning|website=Peakperfs.org|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> * Films For Cello<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eyefilm.nl/en/whats-on|title=Calendar | Eye Filmmuseum|website=Eyefilm.nl|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> * Uncovered<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2015/09/26/musicians-revealed-uncovered/nzcpnfWO6S4dGaphGmvwkJ/story.html|title=Musicians revealed in 'Uncovered' - The Boston Globe|work=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=2018-02-23}}</ref> * All Vows<ref>{{cite news |title=Avant-garde cellist Maya Beiser's daring hits full throttle |newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/avant-garde-cellist-maya-beisers-daring-hits-full-throttle/2014/11/09/4b8cd7e2-683d-11e4-bafd-6598192a448d_story.html}}</ref> * Elsewhere: A CelloOpera<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bam.org/music/2012/elsewhere |title=Elsewhere |website=Bam.org|date= |access-date=2014-08-19}}</ref> * Provenance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayabeiser.com/music_live/provenance/ |title=Provenance |website=Mayabeiser.com |date= |access-date=2014-08-19}}</ref> * World To Come
== Discography == * 1994 ''The Cello Music of Gubaidulina and Ustvolskaya'' (KOCH International Classics) * 1999 ''Oblivión'' (KOCH International Classics) * 2000 ''Caught by Sky with Wire'' ''The Maya Beiser / Steven Schick Project'' (oodiscs inc) * 2000 ''Kinship'' (KOCH International Classics) * 2003 ''World to Come'' (KOCH International Classics)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Maya+Beiser |title=Maya Beiser – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at |website=Last.fm |date= |access-date=2014-08-19}}</ref> * 2007 ''Almost Human'' (KOCH International Classics) * 2010 ''Provenance'' (Innova)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/provenance-mw0001989891|title=Provenance – Maya Beiser {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> * 2012 ''Time Loops'' with Michael Harrison (Cantaloupe Music 21086) * 2014 ''Uncovered'' (Innova) * 2016 ''TranceClassical'' (Innova)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/tranceclassical-mw0002945164|title=TranceClassical – Maya Beiser {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> * 2018 ''The Day'', with Kate Valk (spoken voice)<ref>''The Day'' liner notes, Cantaloupe Music CA21135</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://davidlangmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-day|title=the day, by Maya Beiser & David Lang|website=Davidlangmusic.bandcamp.com|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> * 2019 ''delugEON''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nationalsawdust.org/thelog/2019/08/28/maya-beiser/|title=Maya Beiser: Amplifying the Heart of a Fragile Planet|website=Nationalsawdust.org|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> * 2020 ''[https://www.wsj.com/articles/bowie-cello-symphonic-blackstar-by-maya-beiser-review-tribute-to-a-rock-icon-11578426766 Bowie Cello Symphonic: Blackstar]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bowie-cello-symphonic-blackstar-by-maya-beiser-review-tribute-to-a-rock-icon-11578426766|title='Bowie Cello Symphonic: Blackstar' by Maya Beiser Review: Tribute to a Rock Icon|first=Martin|last=Johnson|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=December 31, 2024|website=Wsj.com}}</ref> * 2021 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/maya-beiser-x-philip-glass/1568523593 Maya Beiser x Philip Glass]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maddocks |first=Fiona |date=2021-07-17 |title=Classical home listening: Nino Rota, Philip Glass and Stravinsky |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jul/17/classical-home-listening-nino-rota-chamber-music-review-maya-beiser-x-philip-glass-the-rite-of-spring-opera-north-phoenix-dance-operavision-stream |access-date=2023-05-24 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> * 2023 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/infinite-bach-album/1679603667 Maya Beiser: InfInIte Bach][https://flaunt.com/post/maya-beiser-infinite-bach Maya Beiser | Infinite Bach Chapter 1 - Cello Suite No 4 in E♭ major, Prélude] <ref>{{cite web | url=https://flaunt.com/post/maya-beiser-infinite-bach | title=Maya Beiser | Infinite Bach Chapter 1 - Cello Suite No 4 in Eb major, Prélude|website=Flaunt.com }}</ref> * 2025 ''[https://minimalismore.es/index.php/en/2024/04/05/maya-beiser-releases-a-solo-cello-version-of-in-c/ Maya Beiser x Terry Riley: In C]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://minimalismore.es/index.php/en/2024/04/05/maya-beiser-releases-a-solo-cello-version-of-in-c/|title=Maya Beiser releases a solo cello version of "In C"|website=Minimalismore.es|date=April 5, 2024|access-date=December 31, 2024}}</ref> (Islandia Music Records) * 2025 ''Salt'' (Islandia Music Records)
== Other contributions == * 1995 ''Industry'', (Sony Classical) album by Bang On a Can All Stars, as solo electric cellist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canland.org/category/recordings/|title = Recordings — CanLand - the Bang on a Can Archives}}</ref> * 1996 ''CHEATING. LYING. STEALING.'' (Sony Classical)<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Cheating Lying Stealing|url=https://canland.org/category/recordings/|access-date=|website=Canland.org}}</ref> * 1998 ''BRIAN ENO: MUSIC FOR AIRPORTS'' * 2002 ''BANG ON A CAN CLASSICS'' (Cantaloupe) * 2005 ''You Are'' (Variations)/''Cello Counterpoint'' (Nonesuch Records), album by Steve Reich, as solo cellist * 2021 [https://bis.se/orchestras-ensembles/swedish-chamber-orchestra/the-brandenburg-project The Brandenburg Project]
== Filmography == Beiser contributed to the soundtrack of several films: * ''Blood Diamond'' (2006), directed by Edward Zwick * ''The Great Debaters'' (2007), directed by Denzel Washington * ''The Happening'' (2008), directed by M. Night Shyamalan<ref name=scoring>{{cite news | author=Dan Goldwasser | url=http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/131 | title=James Newton Howard scores * M. Night Shyamalan's ''The Happening'' | website=Scoringsessions.com | date=2008-03-15 | access-date=2008-03-15}}</ref> * ''Snow White and the Huntsman'' (2012), directed by Rupert Sanders * ''After Earth'' (2013), directed by M. Night Shyamalan, soundtrack by James Newton Howard * ''La grande bellezza'' (2013), directed by Paolo Sorrentino<ref>2-CD original soundtrack album, Indigo Film IND009</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.mayabeiser.com/ Official website] * {{IMDb name|2191428}} * [https://www.npr.org/event/music/193895301/maya-beiser-tiny-desk-concert Maya Beiser on NPR Tiny Desk Concert] * {{TED speaker}} * [http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20140227-making-classical-sexy-and-smart bbc.com culture story: making classical sexy and smart] * [http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Maya-Beiser-review-Cellist-casts-a-rockin-spell-5350985.php San Francisco Chronicle Review: Maya Beiser Cellist Casts A Rockin Spell]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Beiser, Maya}} Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:American people of Argentine-Jewish descent Category:American people of French-Jewish descent Category:American people of Israeli descent Category:American women classical cellists Category:American classical cellists Category:Women cellists Category:American avant-garde musicians Category:Avant-garde cellists Category:Jewish American classical musicians Category:21st-century American women musicians Category:21st-century American Jews Category:Yale School of Music alumni Category:21st-century American cellists