Georgia Shreve is an American composer, writer, playwright, poet, and multimedia artist known for her interdisciplinary approach to the arts. With a career spanning over four decades, she has created more than 100 original compositions, plays, poems, and novels.
Early life and education
Shreve was born in the United States and began exploring the arts at a young age, writing poetry and directing plays by the age of ten. She pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions, earning:
- A Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Stanford University
- A Master's Degree in Creative Writing from Brown University
- A Master's Degree in Finance from Columbia University
- A Master's Degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania
Additionally, she is in the process of completing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Columbia University.
Career
Composition
Shreve's compositions span a range of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, and vocal pieces. Her works have been performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and National Sawdust. Two notable oratorios, Lavinia and Anna Komnene, premiered at Alice Tully Hall in 2022 with a 62-piece orchestra and an all-star cast. These works explore themes of education and the role of strong women in history.
Writing
Shreve’s literary works have been featured in The New Yorker, The New Republic, and The New Criterion. Her short story "Last Acts" was published in The New Yorker and explores themes of loss and resilience. She is also the author of the poetry collection Messages Never Sent and the recipient of the Stanford Magazine Fiction Award for her story "The Countess of M—".
Multimedia art
Shreve integrates music, literature, and visual imagery in her multimedia performances. One of her notable projects, Four Seasons, merges time-lapse photography with her piano concerto to evoke the passage of time and the beauty of nature.
Discography
- Lavinia (Oratorio, 2022)
- Anna Komnene (Oratorio, 2022)
- Spirit of Christmas (Album, 2024)
- Lives of a Woman (Recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, 2024)
Personal life
Shreve was married to Glenn Greenberg, the son of baseball legend Hank Greenberg and an accomplished portfolio manager. Together, they had three sons who pursued careers in business, mathematics, and music. Shreve was one of the first female investment bankers, a role she used to support her artistic endeavors. In 2007, Georgia Shreve made headlines for selling her 1060 Fifth Avenue penthouse for $46 million, setting a record for the largest co-op deal in New York City at the time.
Reception
Critics have lauded Shreve’s work for its emotional depth and innovative blend of art forms. Her oratorios, Lavinia and Anna Komnene, received critical acclaim for their "breathtaking scope and emotional depth." The New Yorker praised her writing for its "complex emotional resonance and deft storytelling."
References
- ^ "Georgia Shreve Celebrates Over 40 Professional Years of Creative Genius". Philadelphia RowHome Magazine's Blog. June 26, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "About the Contest". Stanford Magazine. January 11, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "Georgia Sarchet Shreve is Wed to Bank Aide". The New York Times. October 30, 1976. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "About Georgia". Georgia Shreve Official Website. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "Georgia Shreve Premieres First Musical Piece at Carnegie Hall". ABC 7. April 23, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "VC INTERVIEW | Composer Georgia Shreve on Her Upcoming Premiere". The Violin Channel. April 21, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ Georgia Shreve (January 31, 1994). "Last Acts". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "Album Review: Georgia Shreve – Lavinia and Anna Komnene: Courageous Women of Antiquity". Jukebox Mind. August 27, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- "Georgia Shreve Releases 'Spirit of Christmas' Album". BroadwayWorld. December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "MOVERS AND SHAKERS: Georgia Shreve, Composer, Philosopher, Writer, Playwright and One of the First Female Investment Bankers". Whom You Know. June 20, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- "Co-Op Record-Setter Georgia Shreve Buys on Park Avenue". Observer. December 10, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2024.