Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

December 7, 1910

Death

:

January 19, 1980

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Band

 

Richard Franko Goldman was an American composer, conductor, and arranger who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on July 12, 1910, in New York City, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Goldman showed a keen interest in music and began studying the piano and violin. Goldman attended the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied composition with Bernard Wagenaar and conducting with Albert Stoessel. He graduated in 1931 and went on to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger. During his time in Paris, Goldman became interested in the music of Igor Stravinsky and began to incorporate elements of Stravinsky's style into his own compositions. In 1933, Goldman returned to the United States and began working as a conductor and arranger for various orchestras. He was appointed the conductor of the Goldman Band, a concert band founded by his father, Edwin Franko Goldman. Under Richard Franko Goldman's leadership, the Goldman Band became one of the most renowned concert bands in the United States. In addition to his work with the Goldman Band, Goldman was also a prolific composer and arranger. He wrote music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, concert bands, and chamber groups. His compositions were often characterized by their use of complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as their incorporation of elements of jazz and popular music. One of Goldman's most famous compositions is his "Fanfare for the Common Man," which was written in 1942. The piece was commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and was intended to honor the contributions of ordinary Americans to the war effort during World War II. The "Fanfare for the Common Man" has since become one of the most iconic pieces of American classical music. In addition to his work as a composer and arranger, Goldman was also a respected conductor. He conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians and for his attention to detail. Throughout his career, Goldman received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1962, he was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which is given annually to a conductor who has made significant contributions to American music. In 1976, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts, which is the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. Richard Franko Goldman died on January 19, 1980, at the age of 69. His contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated and remembered today. His compositions and arrangements are still performed by orchestras and concert bands around the world, and his legacy as a conductor and musician lives on.

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