Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

October 12, 1931

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Raoul Pleskow is a renowned American composer of classical music. He was born on March 16, 1931, in Vienna, Austria. Pleskow's family was Jewish, and they fled Austria in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime. They settled in New York City, where Pleskow grew up and began his musical education. Pleskow's interest in music began at a young age, and he started playing the piano when he was six years old. He later studied composition with Stefan Wolpe, a prominent composer of the time. Pleskow also studied at the Mannes School of Music and the Juilliard School, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music. Pleskow's early works were influenced by the avant-garde movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He was particularly interested in the works of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern, two composers who were known for their atonal and serialist compositions. Pleskow's early works, such as his String Quartet No. 1 and his Piano Sonata No. 1, reflect this influence. In the 1970s, Pleskow's style began to evolve. He started incorporating tonal elements into his compositions, and his works became more accessible to audiences. One of his most famous works from this period is his Symphony No. 2, which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 1977. The symphony is a four-movement work that features lush harmonies and a lyrical melody. Pleskow's later works continued to explore tonality and melody. He was particularly interested in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and he often incorporated elements of these styles into his compositions. One of his most famous works from this period is his Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 1992. The concerto is a three-movement work that features a solo viola accompanied by a full orchestra. Pleskow's compositions have been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to his work as a composer, Pleskow has also been a dedicated teacher. He has taught at several universities, including Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the New England Conservatory of Music. He has also served as a visiting professor at many other institutions around the world. Pleskow's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant. His works have helped to bridge the gap between the avant-garde and tonal styles of composition, and his dedication to teaching has inspired countless young musicians. He continues to compose and teach today, and his legacy in the world of classical music is sure to endure for many years to come.

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