Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 18, 1902 in Haverhill, MA

Death

:

November 5, 1980 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Louis Alter was an American composer and songwriter who was born on June 18, 1902, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their son's musical talents from a young age. Alter began playing the piano at the age of six and showed a natural talent for music. He studied piano and composition at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. He also studied with the renowned composer and pianist Percy Grainger. Alter began his career as a composer in the 1920s, writing songs for Broadway shows and popular singers. He collaborated with lyricist Jo Trent on several hit songs, including "Manhattan Serenade" and "My Kinda Love." He also wrote music for films, including the 1935 movie "Thanks a Million," which featured the hit song "You Turned the Tables on Me." In the 1940s, Alter began to focus more on classical music and wrote several orchestral works, including a symphony and a piano concerto. He also wrote music for ballets and operas, including "The Lady from Colorado" and "The Time of Your Life." One of Alter's most famous works is the song "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," which he wrote with lyricist Eddie DeLange. The song was featured in the 1947 movie "New Orleans" and has since become a jazz standard, recorded by many famous musicians. Alter continued to write music throughout his life, and his works were performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. He died on November 5, 1980, in New York City. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Alter was also known for his philanthropy. He established the Louis Alter Foundation for the Arts, which provides scholarships and grants to young musicians and artists. Overall, Louis Alter was a talented and versatile composer who made significant contributions to both popular and classical music. His works continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences today.

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