"Carter Larsen's innovative artistry has universal appeal and promises to set the course for the next wave of contemporary music."

Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Larsen began piano studies at the age of six. He composed in his teens, becoming the youngest composition student of Julliard's summer home in Aspen, Colorado. He graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, pursuing a dual career as composer and pianist. Larsen studied under Conservatory president Milton Salkind (piano) and the legendary John Adams (composition), subsequently working with Peter Feuchtwanger and Ruth Nye in London, as well as Vlado Perlemuter (Maurice Ravel's assistant) in Paris. (see Lineage)

Larsen became renowned in Europe for his spirited performances of the High Romantics. In particular, his interpretations of Liszt, Grieg, Rachmaninoff and Saint-Saens made significant contributions to the Romantic Revival and won him acclaim from both audiences and critics alike.

London critic Philip Somerich describes Larsen's playing as "displays of dazzling, but never uncontrolled dexterity of huge hands with scope, power and drama, but connected to a mind which was dictating clarity of phrase and incisive overall vision. He demonstrates impressive brilliance and musicianship from melting melody to storming climax while always retaining clarity of expression and complete control of the keyboard."

Renowned for several world premieres and recordings of previously unknown works of Liszt and Saint-Saens, Larsen became the first pianist to make an entire recording of Saint-Saens solo piano music. Simultaneously, he became a favorite at London appearances such as English Heritage, performing for outdoor audiences of up to 17,000.

Carter Larsen also began to establish himself as a serious composer premiering four original compositions alongside the classics, which were first broadcast on Classic FM's prestigious "Platform Live" from the UK in 1994. His passion for composing has created numerous works with performances on PBS, BBC, FM stations and cable television worldwide. (see Repertoire)

A celebrated performer and recording artist of his original compositions as well as the classical repertoire, Larsen received prime coverage on radio and television throughout Europe and the USA. He conducted and performed as soloist in major concerts including the Royal Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestras. In one of his feature presentations, Larsen's performance of Chopin's music in London was broadcast on the BBC television's prestigious "Omnibus" program.

He was recognized as a brilliant, New Romantic and reviews were forthcoming! The Independent exalted "his torrents of notes, lush harmonies and gorgeous melodies." The Guardian praised his "delicacy, taste and smooth continuity of line broken only for dramatic effect. Larsen's romantic sensibilities were evident throughout." The Daily Telegraph was particularly impressed with his "fluency and panache". While Christopher Grier of the Evening Standard lauded his "formidable technique with which to back his fancies". (see Concerts)

The composer extended his talents to creating scores for films writing music for the major studios, including Paramount, Fox, PBS, BBC and Discovery. Mr. Larsen has been asked to compose music for prestigious films, such as Paramount's "Star Trek" to "Nosferatu" and "The Mark of Zorro". The composer's recent films, "The Innocents Mission" and "Love Bytes", premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and his feature "Big Shots" premiered at Cannes.

Larsen has seamlessly bridged the worlds of performing and composing -- classical and film. London critic Christopher Wood puts it best -- "Here is a composer with European sensibilities and yet a natural affinity with the world of Hollywood."

Credits include: Something To Believe In, The Innocents Mission, Nosferatu, Scarecrow, Canons and Flowers, The Mark of Zorro, Impressions, Pierced Hear, The Healing Chamber, Pleasing Mona, Bridges and Beyond, Appassionato, Awakening Elegie and Big Shots.

The composer further established himself as a versatile recording artist with CDs of Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn, Granados, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Beethoven among others, as well as recordings of his own original music. His "Romantic Rarities" was citied by BBC Radio as "a sample of Carter Larsen's versatility and complete mastery in every way."

Larsen's work diversified in composing the score for the 2001 theatrical production of "Dracula" as well as appearances in his own music videos "Awakening Elegie" and "Appassionato", which airs regularly on national cable television and PBS on the Classic Arts Showcase.

Carter Larsen Music Publishing Inc. was founded in 1995, a music licensing company holding rights to Larsen's original music as well as a library of source music, in association with master and post-production houses.

In 1999. Larsen founded Montage Media, a record company recording and distributing his original music as well as the classics and film soundtracks. Edition Isolde was also founded in 1999, producing the printed publication of Larsen's music; with printing by Increase Music in Los Angeles.

His 1998 tour included five London concerts in which the composer conducted and performed his original compositions alongside the classics. In May 1999, Larsen's European tour culminated in the first recording of Fantasia Suite in a live performance at St. Martins-in-the-Fields (see below)

In 2003, the composer was honored with a six part series of concerts at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. The series began when the acclaimed composer himself performed original music including the premiere of his latest work "Constellations". The concerts that followed featured an array of international artists performing the music of Carter Larsen.

On September 30, 2006, Larsen was further celebrated with another launch of an international series at Pepperdine University, this time entirely featuring his magnum opus, Fantasia Suite. Six performers included one masters and two doctoral candidates from the University of Southern California and featured pianist Aaron McClaskey. The sold out evening, introduced by Catherine Goldwyn, was recorded live.

Scott Epstein sums it up "Carter Larsen composes music for our age that is personal, deeply felt, and sophisticated. Resisting conventional labels, his music pursues its own path with intense inspiration. Larsen is a composer for our times."