Greetings

Welcome to the official site for composer Brian J. Nelson. I’m glad you stopped by! On this site you can learn about my work as a composer, purchase recordings (and soon scores as well) of my music, learn about how to commission a work and more!

Brian’s Bio

Brian J. Nelson was born in Madison, Wisconsin and received his Bachelor of Composition degree from the University of Michigan in 1990, where he studied with William Bolcom, William Albright and Nick Thorne. He completed a Master’s degree in Composition at the University of Wisconsin in May 2000 and a D.M.A from the University of Kansas (2011) where he studied with James Barnes. (continued below)

A committed Catholic, Brian is a prolific composer of sacred music as well as chamber and orchestral works. His growing catalogue of works includes his Elegiac Folk Song for French Horn and Piano – commissioned by hornist Alice Codiek (premiered by Ms. Codiek and Ellen Bottorff, piano); Ballade for Violin and Piano; Capriccio for Flute, Oboe and Piano; Responsorial Psalms for Advent and Christmas, a collection of responsories based on the Catholic lectionary, et al.

To date, Brian Nelson’s music is represented on two CD’s: Responsorial Psalms for Advent and Christmas (November, 2009), featuring a sampling from the collection just mentioned; and Vocalise – Instrumental & Vocal Music of Brian J. Nelson which features a complete representation of Brian’s output from instrumental to chamber to choral to sacred music. Brian’s music is characterized by a strong melodic sense and an original tonality – his work is deeply engaging, and in each piece he clearly demonstrates his mastery of form, structure and powerful expression. He continues to compose both commissioned and non-commissioned works across a wide variety of genres and forms.