Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Russia

Birth

:

October 10, 1903 in Parafianovka, Russian Empire

Death

:

January 16, 1969 in Santa Monica, CA

Genre

:

Ballet

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Vernon Duke was a Russian-American composer and songwriter who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born Vladimir Dukelsky on October 10, 1903, in Parafianovo, Russia, he was the son of a doctor and a pianist. His family was wealthy and well-educated, and they encouraged his musical talents from an early age. Duke began studying piano at the age of four and showed a natural aptitude for music. He attended the Kiev Conservatory, where he studied composition with Reinhold Glière and piano with Felix Blumenfeld. In 1920, he moved to Constantinople (now Istanbul) with his family, where he continued his studies and began performing in public. In 1921, Duke moved to Paris, where he became part of the vibrant artistic community that included such luminaries as Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Prokofiev, and George Gershwin. He changed his name to Vernon Duke, a nod to his love of American jazz and his admiration for Duke Ellington. Duke quickly established himself as a composer and songwriter, writing music for ballets, operas, and films. One of Duke's most famous works is the song "April in Paris," which he wrote with lyricist E.Y. Harburg for the 1932 Broadway musical "Walk a Little Faster." The song became an instant classic and has been covered by countless artists over the years. Other notable songs by Duke include "I Can't Get Started," "Autumn in New York," and "Taking a Chance on Love." Duke's classical compositions are also highly regarded. His ballet "Zéphyr et Flore," which he wrote in 1925, was a critical and commercial success. He also wrote several operas, including "The Captive," which premiered in 1949 at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. In addition to his work as a composer and songwriter, Duke was also a talented pianist. He often performed his own works in public, and his recordings of his songs and classical compositions are still highly regarded today. Duke's personal life was marked by tragedy and upheaval. He was married three times and had several children, but his relationships were often tumultuous. He struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his life, and his music often reflected his inner turmoil. Despite these challenges, Duke continued to create music until his death in 1969. His legacy as a composer and songwriter lives on, and his contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated and studied today.

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