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Composer Performer

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Contemporary

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Chamber

 

 

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Paul Reale was an American composer of classical music who was born on January 8, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Reale began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola. He attended the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition in 1965 and a Master of Music degree in composition in 1967. Reale's early compositions were influenced by the music of Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg, but he later developed his own unique style that blended elements of classical, jazz, and rock music. He was particularly interested in the use of rhythm and timbre in his compositions, and he often incorporated unusual instruments and percussion into his works. One of Reale's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was composed in 1976 and premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta. The symphony is a large-scale work that features a wide range of musical styles and influences, including jazz, rock, and classical music. It is divided into four movements, each of which explores a different musical theme or idea. Another important work by Reale is his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which was composed in 1983 and premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic with pianist Jeffrey Kahane as the soloist. The concerto is a virtuosic work that showcases the technical abilities of the soloist, while also incorporating elements of jazz and rock music. In addition to his orchestral works, Reale also composed a number of chamber music pieces, including his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1970 and premiered by the Kronos Quartet. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that features intricate rhythms and harmonies, as well as a wide range of timbres and textures. Throughout his career, Reale received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He also served as a professor of music at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he taught composition and music theory. Reale continued to compose music until his death on October 25, 2019, at the age of 76. His legacy as a composer of innovative and eclectic music continues to inspire and influence musicians and audiences around the world.

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