Role

:

Conductor  

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Robert Ward was an American composer and conductor who was born on September 13, 1917, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the youngest of three children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their children to pursue music. Ward began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied composition with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson. After graduating in 1941, he joined the United States Army and served as a bandmaster during World War II. After the war, Ward returned to the United States and began his career as a composer. He quickly gained recognition for his work and won several awards, including the Prix de Rome in 1947. This prestigious award allowed him to study in Rome for two years, where he was able to immerse himself in the rich musical culture of Italy. Ward's music was heavily influenced by his experiences in Italy, and he became known for his use of lush harmonies and lyrical melodies. His compositions were often described as "neo-Romantic," and he was considered one of the leading composers of his generation. In addition to his work as a composer, Ward was also a respected conductor. He served as the music director of the Louisville Orchestra from 1952 to 1958 and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra from 1958 to 1967. He also conducted many other orchestras throughout his career, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra. One of Ward's most famous works is his opera "The Crucible," which is based on the play by Arthur Miller. The opera premiered at the New York City Opera in 1961 and was an immediate success. It has since been performed all over the world and is considered one of the greatest American operas of the 20th century. Ward's other notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1948, and his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the Louisville Orchestra in 1951. He also wrote many chamber works, including string quartets and sonatas for various instruments. Throughout his career, Ward received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In addition to the Prix de Rome, he was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1962 for "The Crucible." He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1964 and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. Ward continued to compose and conduct until his death on April 3, 2013, at the age of 95. He left behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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