Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 4, 1922 in Evanston, IL

Death

:

August 2, 1995 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Irwin Bazelon was an American composer of classical music, born on September 17, 1922, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was the son of Russian immigrants, and his father was a tailor. Bazelon showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He later studied composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1943. After completing his studies, Bazelon served in the United States Army during World War II. He was stationed in Europe and played in the Army band. After the war, he returned to the United States and continued his studies at Columbia University, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in 1948. Bazelon's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith. However, he later developed his own unique style, which was characterized by a blend of tonal and atonal elements. His music was often complex and challenging, but also expressive and emotional. One of Bazelon's most significant works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1953. The symphony is in three movements and is scored for a large orchestra. It is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Bazelon's skill as a composer. The symphony was well-received by critics and helped establish Bazelon as a major figure in American classical music. Bazelon's other notable works include his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which he composed in 1961. The concerto is a virtuosic work that features complex rhythms and harmonies. It was premiered by the pianist Leon Fleisher and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and it has since become a staple of the piano concerto repertoire. Another significant work by Bazelon is his String Quartet No. 2, which he composed in 1965. The quartet is a challenging and complex work that showcases Bazelon's skill as a composer. It is a four-movement work that explores a range of emotions and moods. Bazelon was also known for his work in film and television. He composed music for several films, including "The Young Savages" (1961) and "The Boston Strangler" (1968). He also composed music for several television shows, including "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits." Bazelon was a prolific composer who continued to write music throughout his life. He was also a respected teacher and taught at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Iowa. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was awarded several prestigious awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts grant. Bazelon died on July 4, 1995, in Iowa City, Iowa. He left behind a legacy of innovative and challenging music that continues to be performed and studied today. His contributions to American classical music are significant, and his work has influenced generations of composers.

More....