Role

:

Composer

Genre

:

Film

 

Mel Leven was an American composer, songwriter, and lyricist who was born on April 21, 1914, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Leven started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Leven attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition and orchestration. He also studied with the renowned composer Aaron Copland, who had a significant influence on his musical style. After graduating from Juilliard, Leven worked as a pianist and arranger for various radio and television shows. In the 1950s, Leven began writing songs for Broadway musicals. He wrote the music and lyrics for the musicals "The Gay Life" and "Illya Darling," which were both successful. "The Gay Life" opened on Broadway in 1961 and ran for 113 performances. "Illya Darling" opened in 1967 and ran for 320 performances. The musical was based on the film "Never on Sunday," and the score included the hit song "Never on Sunday," which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Leven also wrote the music and lyrics for the Disney animated film "101 Dalmatians" in 1961. The film was a huge success and featured the hit song "Cruella De Vil," which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song has since become a classic and has been covered by numerous artists. In addition to his work in musical theater and film, Leven also wrote classical music. He composed several symphonies, concertos, and chamber music pieces. His classical works were influenced by his love of jazz and popular music, and he often incorporated these elements into his compositions. One of Leven's most significant classical works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1955. The symphony is in three movements and features a blend of classical and jazz elements. The work was well-received and was performed by several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic. Leven's other notable classical works include his Piano Concerto, which he composed in 1960, and his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1965. The Piano Concerto is a virtuosic work that showcases Leven's skill as a pianist and composer. The String Quartet is a more introspective work that explores themes of love and loss. Throughout his career, Leven received numerous awards and honors for his work. He was nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Original Song, and he won a Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album for "The Gay Life." He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980. Leven continued to compose music until his death on July 16, 1970, in New York City. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

More....