Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 26, 1898 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

March 16, 1990 in Orlinda, CA

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Ernst Bacon was an American composer, pianist, and conductor who was born on May 26, 1898, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of a prominent physician and grew up in a family that valued education and the arts. Bacon showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He also showed a talent for composition and began writing his own music at a young age. Bacon attended the University of Chicago, where he studied music theory and composition with the renowned composer and musicologist, Ernest Bloch. He also studied piano with Rudolph Ganz and conducting with Frederick Stock. After graduating from the University of Chicago in 1920, Bacon continued his studies at the Fontainebleau School of Music in France, where he studied with Nadia Boulanger. In 1922, Bacon returned to the United States and began his career as a composer and conductor. He held positions as a conductor with several orchestras, including the Chicago Civic Orchestra and the WPA Federal Music Project in New York City. He also taught at several universities, including Syracuse University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University. Bacon's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive use of orchestration. He was influenced by the music of Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky, as well as the American folk music tradition. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, vocal music, and operas. One of Bacon's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1931. The symphony is a four-movement work that is characterized by its lush harmonies and sweeping melodies. It was well-received by critics and established Bacon as a major American composer. Bacon's other notable works include his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1945, and his opera, "Ford's Theatre," which was premiered by the New York City Opera in 1957. The opera tells the story of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath. In addition to his work as a composer, Bacon was also a respected musicologist and writer. He wrote several books on music, including "Words on Music," which is a collection of his essays and lectures on music. He also wrote a biography of the composer Charles Ives, which is considered one of the definitive works on the composer. Bacon's contributions to American music were recognized with several awards and honors. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1938 for his Symphony No. 2. He was also elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1951 and received the National Institute of Arts and Letters Gold Medal in 1972. Ernst Bacon died on March 16, 1990, in Orinda, California, at the age of 91. His legacy as a composer, conductor, and musicologist continues to be celebrated by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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