Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

May 21, 1926 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

February 9, 2022

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Joseph Horovitz is a British composer and conductor who was born on May 26, 1926, in Vienna, Austria. He is known for his contributions to classical music, particularly in the field of chamber music. Horovitz's parents were both musicians, and he grew up in a musical household. His father, a pianist, was a student of Franz Schreker, while his mother was a singer. Horovitz's family moved to England in 1938 to escape the Nazi regime. He attended the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Gordon Jacob and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. After completing his studies, Horovitz served in the British Army during World War II. He was stationed in India, where he conducted the army band and wrote music for it. After the war, Horovitz returned to England and began his career as a composer. He wrote music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and solo instruments. His early works were influenced by the neoclassical style of composers like Stravinsky and Hindemith. In the 1950s, Horovitz began to incorporate jazz and popular music into his compositions, creating a unique style that blended classical and modern elements. One of Horovitz's most famous works is his Jazz Suite for Brass Quintet, which was written in 1956. The piece is a lively and energetic tribute to jazz music, featuring syncopated rhythms and bluesy melodies. It has become a staple of the brass quintet repertoire and is often performed in concerts and competitions. Horovitz's other notable works include his Clarinet Sonatina, which was written in 1981 and has become a popular piece for clarinetists. The piece is characterized by its lyrical melodies and playful rhythms, and it showcases the versatility of the clarinet as a solo instrument. Horovitz has also written several works for the stage, including the operas Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo and Gentleman's Island. Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo, which was written in 1970, is a children's opera that tells the story of Noah and his ark. The opera has been performed around the world and has become a beloved classic of children's music. In addition to his work as a composer, Horovitz has also been active as a conductor. He has conducted orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Horovitz has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1996, he was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music, and in 2008, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. Today, Joseph Horovitz is considered one of the most important composers of his generation. His music has been performed and recorded by some of the world's leading musicians and ensembles, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers. Despite his many achievements, Horovitz remains humble and dedicated to his craft, continuing to compose and conduct well into his nineties.

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