Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1916

Genre

:

Chamber

 

William Presser was an American composer and music educator who was born on August 28, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents encouraged him to pursue music from a young age. Presser began studying piano at the age of six and later took up the clarinet and saxophone. Presser attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and conducting with Fritz Scheel. He later earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. Presser's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith, but he later developed his own unique voice. His works often featured complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as a sense of humor and playfulness. Presser's most famous work is his Concerto for Saxophone and Orchestra, which was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1963. The piece is known for its virtuosic saxophone writing and its use of jazz and blues elements. Presser also wrote several other concertos, including works for clarinet, trumpet, and piano. In addition to his work as a composer, Presser was a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Michigan, the University of Georgia, and the University of Miami. He also served as the president of the College Music Society from 1980 to 1982. Presser's other notable works include his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1958, and his Suite for Orchestra, which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra in 1965. He also wrote several chamber works, including a string quartet and a wind quintet. Presser's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship. Presser died on December 28, 2019, at the age of 89. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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