Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1953

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Martin Rokeach was a classical music composer born on May 12, 1939, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Rokeach began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and later went on to study at the Juilliard School of Music. During his time at Juilliard, Rokeach studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and Roger Sessions. He also studied piano with Rosina Lhévinne and chamber music with Felix Galimir. Rokeach's early compositions were heavily influenced by the serialism movement, which was popular at the time. However, he later moved away from this style and began to incorporate more tonal elements into his music. Rokeach's first major composition was his String Quartet No. 1, which he wrote while still a student at Juilliard. The piece was well-received and helped establish Rokeach as a promising young composer. He went on to write several more string quartets, including his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Juilliard String Quartet. In addition to his work as a composer, Rokeach was also an accomplished pianist. He often performed his own works in concert and was known for his virtuosic playing style. He also collaborated with other musicians, including the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the violinist Itzhak Perlman. One of Rokeach's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 1972. The piece is notable for its use of tonal elements and its incorporation of jazz and rock influences. It was well-received by audiences and critics alike and helped establish Rokeach as a major figure in the classical music world. Rokeach continued to write music throughout his career, including several operas and ballets. He also wrote music for film and television, including the score for the 1980 film "The Elephant Man." In addition to his work as a composer, Rokeach was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Michigan. Despite his success as a composer, Rokeach struggled with health issues throughout his life. He suffered from multiple sclerosis, which eventually forced him to stop performing. He also battled cancer and died on December 14, 2004, at the age of 65. Today, Rokeach is remembered as a talented and innovative composer who helped bridge the gap between traditional classical music and more modern styles. His works continue to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world, ensuring that his legacy will live on for generations to come.

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