Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

July 22, 1914

Death

:

December 22, 1990

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Cecil Effinger was an American composer of classical music, born on December 17, 1914, in Greeley, Colorado. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father, John Effinger, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Lillian, was a pianist and organist. Cecil's siblings, John and Ruth, were also musicians, with John becoming a violinist and Ruth a pianist. Cecil showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later learned to play the violin and the clarinet. He attended the University of Colorado, where he studied composition with Wilfred Bain and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1936. He then went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1938. After completing his studies, Effinger worked as a composer and arranger for radio and television programs in New York City. He also taught music at the University of Colorado and the University of Wyoming. In 1947, he joined the faculty of the University of Colorado, where he taught composition and theory until his retirement in 1980. Effinger's compositions are characterized by their lyricism, harmonic richness, and rhythmic vitality. He wrote in a variety of genres, including orchestral music, chamber music, choral music, and vocal music. His works often incorporate elements of jazz and folk music, reflecting his interest in American musical traditions. One of Effinger's most famous works is his "Little Symphony," which was commissioned by the Denver Symphony Orchestra in 1953. The piece is scored for a small orchestra and consists of three movements. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic scherzo, while the second movement is a lyrical and expressive adagio. The final movement is a fast and energetic allegro, featuring a lively fugue. Effinger also wrote several works for voice and orchestra, including his "Four Pastorales" and "Songs of the Countryside." These works feature settings of poems by American poets, including Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg. The music is characterized by its pastoral themes and folk-like melodies. Effinger's chamber music includes several works for string quartet, including his "String Quartet No. 1" and "String Quartet No. 2." These works are characterized by their intricate counterpoint and rich harmonies. He also wrote several works for woodwind quintet, including his "Quintet for Winds" and "Quintet for Winds and Piano." Effinger's choral music includes several works for mixed choir, including his "Four Pastorales" and "Songs of the Countryside." He also wrote several works for men's choir, including his "Three Mountain Ballads" and "Three Cowboy Songs." These works feature settings of folk songs and traditional American music. Effinger's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. He received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1956 and a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1974. He died on August 22, 1990, in Boulder, Colorado, at the age of 75. In conclusion, Cecil Effinger was a prolific American composer of classical music, known for his lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. His works reflect his interest in American musical traditions, incorporating elements of jazz and folk music.

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