Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

October 23, 1923 in Richmond, IN

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Ned Rorem is an American composer, writer, and diarist who was born on October 23, 1923, in Richmond, Indiana. He is known for his contributions to classical music, particularly in the genre of art song. Rorem's works are characterized by their lyrical and expressive qualities, as well as their use of tonality and traditional forms. Rorem grew up in Chicago, where he began studying piano at a young age. He later attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition with Rosario Scalero and piano with Rudolf Serkin. After completing his studies, Rorem moved to New York City, where he became part of a vibrant artistic community that included writers, artists, and musicians. Rorem's early works were influenced by the neoclassical style of composers such as Stravinsky and Hindemith. However, he soon began to develop his own voice, which was characterized by its lyricism and emotional depth. One of his earliest works, the Piano Sonata No. 1, was composed in 1946 and reflects his interest in neoclassicism. However, his later works, such as the song cycle "Evidence of Things Not Seen," demonstrate his mature style, which is characterized by its expressive melodies and rich harmonies. Rorem's output is vast and includes works in a variety of genres, including opera, ballet, orchestral music, chamber music, and choral music. However, he is perhaps best known for his contributions to the genre of art song. His song cycles, which include "Evidence of Things Not Seen," "War Scenes," and "Poems of Love and the Rain," are considered some of the finest examples of the genre. Rorem's works are often inspired by literature, and he has set the works of many poets to music, including Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost. He has also written extensively about music and the arts, and his books include "The Paris Diary," "The New York Diary," and "Knowing When to Stop: A Memoir." Throughout his career, Rorem has received numerous awards and honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1976 for his orchestral work "Air Music." He has also been awarded the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal for Music. Despite his many accomplishments, Rorem has remained a controversial figure in the classical music world. His music has been criticized for its lack of formal structure and its reliance on tonality, which some critics view as outdated. However, his supporters argue that his music is characterized by its emotional depth and its ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level. In conclusion, Ned Rorem is a prolific and influential composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works are characterized by their lyricism, emotional depth, and use of tonality, and he has been recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. Despite his controversial reputation, Rorem's music continues to be performed and admired by audiences around the world.

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