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Walter G. Samuels was a prominent American composer of classical music, known for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. Born on May 12, 1928, in New York City, Samuels grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. From a young age, Samuels showed a keen interest in music and began studying piano and composition. Samuels attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and piano with Rosina Lhévinne. He also studied with Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, two of the most influential American composers of the 20th century. Samuels was deeply influenced by the music of these composers, as well as by the works of Stravinsky, Bartók, and Schoenberg. Samuels began his career as a composer in the 1950s, and quickly gained a reputation for his innovative and experimental approach to composition. His early works were characterized by their use of unconventional harmonies, complex rhythms, and unusual instrumental combinations. Samuels was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of electronic music, and he was one of the first American composers to experiment with tape music. One of Samuels' most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1957. The symphony is a complex and challenging work, characterized by its use of dissonant harmonies and intricate rhythms. The work was well-received by critics and established Samuels as one of the leading American composers of his generation. In the 1960s, Samuels continued to experiment with electronic music, and he became one of the pioneers of computer music. He worked with the IBM 7090 computer to create a series of electronic compositions, including "Computer Suite" and "Computer Cantata." These works were groundbreaking in their use of computer-generated sounds and their exploration of the possibilities of electronic music. Samuels' later works were characterized by their use of more traditional forms and structures, although he continued to experiment with unconventional harmonies and rhythms. One of his most famous later works is his Piano Concerto, which was composed in 1982. The concerto is a virtuosic work, characterized by its use of complex rhythms and unconventional harmonies. The work was premiered by the pianist Peter Serkin, and has since become a staple of the piano concerto repertoire. Throughout his career, Samuels was recognized for his contributions to American music. He received numerous awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. He was also a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Samuels died on December 10, 1994, at the age of 66. He left behind a legacy of innovative and experimental music, and his works continue to be performed and studied by musicians and scholars around the world. Samuels' contributions to American music have been recognized as significant, and his influence can be heard in the works of many contemporary composers.

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