Biography
Frederick Frahm was born November 8, 1964, in Hemet, California. His catalog of compositions includes works for organ solo including concert works and chorale preludes, chamber music, art songs and song cycles, music for handbells, and several extended works for voices and orchestra including chamber operas and cantatas.
A prolific composer, Frahm’s music is distinguished by a symmetrical and architectural approach to form, a keen sensitivity to literature and imagery as a source of musical inspiration, and a preference for music with broad tempi, modal tonality, and stark contrasts in texture.
Frederick Frahm is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where he earned degrees in Church Music and Organ Performance. He studied organ and counterpoint with David Dahl, Gregory Peterson, and Randall McCarty; composition with Gregory Youtz (PLU), Gary Smart (University of Wyoming), Walter Pelz (Concordia University, River Forest), and Roger Briggs (Western Washington University). A significant portion of his extensive catalog of music for liturgy is in print and is represented worldwide by more than a dozen publishers. A full collection of sketches, manuscripts, recordings and correspondence (1982-2011) are archived in the Mortvedt Library at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.
A professional church musician for more than 30 years, Frahm currently serves as Director of Music and Principal Organist at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM. He has contributed to the Bellingham Herald in Bellingham, WA as a classical music critic and served as an adjunct faculty member of Concordia University in River Forest, IL where he taught counterpoint, music theory & composition, as well as orchestration.
An active performer, Frederick Frahm regularly performs organ recitals in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and as organist and harpsichordist for the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra. The composer also works with select students in music composition, organ performance, and improvisation.
As a music editor, Mr. Frahm recently prepared a new edition of chorale preludes (Opus 123) by 19th century Prussian composer Friedrich Wilhelm Markull published by Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Gallery Music, a collection in two volumes of music for organ and handbells, and the Second Suite for Organ by Seattle Composer Nathan Jensen both of which are published by Zimbel Press.
A past Dean of the Albuquerque Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Mr. Frahm performs regularly in recital, is in demand as a teacher and clinician (organ improvisation and hymn playing), and is a strong advocate for the creation of new music for organ.
Frederick Frahm has been married to soprano Susan Frahm since 1987. They reside in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA.