Full Biography

Avner Dorman writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on various cultural and historical influences in composing, resulting in music that affects an emotional impact while exploring new territories. His music utilizes an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings; many of his compositions have become contemporary staples in the repertoire.

Dorman's music is championed by renowned conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Christoph Eschenbach, Ricardo Chailly, and Andris Nelsons, and soloists such as Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, Martin Grubinger, and Hilary Hahn. His music has been commissioned and performed by some of the world's leading orchestras, such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony.

The 2026–2027 season brings a remarkable series of world premieres and major performances across North America and Europe. Highlights include the world premiere of Inner Fire (Cello Concerto No. 2), written for cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project under Gil Rose (Jordan Hall, June 2026); the world premiere of Rhapsody on Diwan Songs at the York Early Music Festival; and the world premiere of Schwung for solo violin, commissioned by the Guadagnini Foundation for the Stuttgart International Violin Competition. Dorman's Repeated Petitions forms part of Visions of Humanity, a collaborative suite commissioned for the America 250 initiative, with its world premiere by the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and subsequent performances across the United States — including the Spokane Symphony, the Long Beach Symphony, and the South Carolina Philharmonic — featuring cellist Zuill Bailey. Looking ahead, Dorman is at work on a new saxophone concerto for the Duisburger Philharmoniker and soloist Asya Fateyeva, with the premiere scheduled for spring 2027.

Other season highlights include Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony performing A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance with the Utah Symphony under David Robertson and the Houston Symphony under Juraj Valčuha; the US country premiere of Piano Concerto No. 3 with pianist Mackenzie Melemed and Orchestra Lumos under Michael Stern; violinist Kerson Leong performing Nigunim in Wellington, Ontario; the Concerto for Cello, Piano, and Orchestra with the Ekstasis Duo and the Memphis Symphony under Robert Moody; Frozen in Time with the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker and percussionist Christoph Sietzen; and multiple performances of the Mandolin Concerto and Concerto for Mandolin, Guitar, and Strings by Sinfonia Rotterdam with mandolinist Jacob Reuven and guitarist Adam Levin.

During the 2025–2026 season, Dorman's music was heard worldwide in major premieres and revivals. Highlights included the world premiere of New Orleans Mix for piano and wind quintet by Ensemble 4.1 at the Harvard Musical Association; the Korean premiere of A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance by Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony, and Sejong Soloists in Seoul; and the Romanian premiere of Tanyaderas at the George Enescu Festival. Other performances included Child's Play in Göppingen; Frozen in Time across Hamburg, Zagreb, Málaga, Salzburg, and the Elbphilharmonie; and the Rochester Philharmonic's performances of A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance featuring Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony under Andreas Delfs. Recent seasons also saw the world premiere of A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance by Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony, and the Santa Barbara Symphony, and the acclaimed UK premiere of his opera Wahnfried at the Longborough Festival.

Dorman's music has garnered numerous awards and prizes, including Israel's prestigious Prime Minister's Award for his Ellef Symphony, and international awards from ASCAP, ACUM, and the Asian Composers League. His music is available on Naxos, Deutsche Grammophon, Canary Classics, and other labels. Dorman studied composition with John Corigliano and Josef Bardanashvili, and he holds a doctorate in composition from the Juilliard School. Dorman currently serves as Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.