Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1938

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Robert Baksa is an American composer who was born on January 23, 1938, in Stamford, Connecticut. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the violin and his mother playing the piano. Baksa began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the clarinet and saxophone. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and conducting with Jean Morel. Baksa's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith. He also drew inspiration from jazz and popular music, which he incorporated into his compositions. In 1962, Baksa won the BMI Student Composer Award for his String Quartet No. 1. This award helped launch his career as a composer. Baksa's music has been performed by many orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also written music for film and television, including the theme for the PBS series "The American Experience." One of Baksa's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic in 1972. The symphony is in four movements and features a mix of traditional and modern elements. The first movement is a lively and rhythmic scherzo, while the second movement is a slow and contemplative adagio. The third movement is a lively and playful scherzo, and the fourth movement is a triumphant finale. Baksa has also written many chamber works, including several string quartets, sonatas for various instruments, and a piano trio. His chamber music is known for its lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies. One of his most popular chamber works is his Sonata for Flute and Piano, which has been performed by many flutists around the world. In addition to his classical compositions, Baksa has also written music for musical theater. He wrote the music for the off-Broadway musical "The Golden Land," which tells the story of Jewish immigrants in America. The musical was a critical and commercial success and has been performed around the world. Baksa has received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 2005, he was awarded the Aaron Copland Award for his lifetime achievement in music. He has also been awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. Despite his success, Baksa remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to compose new works and is always looking for new ways to express himself through music. His music is beloved by audiences around the world and has helped to shape the landscape of classical music in America.

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