Cutting-edge composer and musician

The New York Times

NEW YORK — Matt Marks, a composer and musician at the epicenter of a diverse community of openminded artists as a founding member of the contemporary chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound, died May 11 in St. Louis. He was 38.

The cause was heart failure, said Mary Kouyoumdjian, a composer and Mr. Marks’ fiancee.

Mr. Marks, who lived in Brooklyn, had just performed in St. Louis with Alarm Will Sound, she said.

As a performer, Mr. Marks was known best as a French horn player for Alarm Will Sound, of which he was an integral member. The ensemble has been critically praised and is known for its unusual stylistic

Bbreadth and commitment to innovation. When the group ventured further into theatrical concerts and multimedia events, he rose to the occasion as a singer, an actor and a keyboardist.

He also contributed one of the group’s signature pieces: anWeIeLrLiIlAyMacRc.u“rBaItLeL”a,rrEasqn.geme(1n9t41fo-r2l0iv1e8) p-eOrnfoTrhmuersrdsaoyf, “R eyvo lu t,io n 9 , ”. th ee n ot o ridhousba1n96d8ofmDusitqyuKeirkc;onadcorrèeted sound collage recorded by The Beatles.

Alarm Will Sound’s versatility and commitment to stylistic diversity ideally suited Mr. Marks, whose work as a composer showed similar range. In both concise concert pieces and sizable stage creations, like the operas “The Little Death, Vol. 1” (2010) and “Mata Hari” (2016), he demonstrated a knack for crafting works of substantial appeal and subversive cheek, generously endowed with sharp wit and relatable pathos. His compositions demonstrated his compatibility with pop music’s stylistic palette, production effects and emotional affect.

Mr. Marks was known as a community organizer. In 2009, he was among the founders of New Music Bake Sale, a fundraiser, concert and social mixer. The event proceeded from the notion that rather than competing for limited funds and audience, New York’s independent new-music ensembles could band together to emphasize common bonds and goals, while increasing visibility for the entire scene.

Motivated by similar notions of mutual regard and strengtChOiNn Mr. Marks was among the f2o0u18n,dRienvg. NPhe.Dw., Magues8i9c, aUtPhMerCinMge,rcay fHeosstipv aal aSnodn coofntfhereelnac tWhialltiabmriJn.gasndtoMgeatrhgearrepteEr-. formers, composers, acad e m i c s , jo u r n a li snts a n d) oGtahuegrlesr,frTom w(Moarrlgde)foOr'Bcrioennc, earntds,Glielecstures, topical discussions and networking.