Role

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Composer

Genre

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Vocal

 

Wilbur Schwandt, also known as André Fabian, was a prominent American composer and arranger of classical music. He was born on December 23, 1904, in Saginaw, Michigan, to a family of musicians. His father, William Schwandt, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Lillian, was a pianist. Wilbur showed an early interest in music and began playing the violin at the age of six. Wilbur's family moved to Chicago when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical education there. He studied violin with Hans Letz and composition with Leo Sowerby at the American Conservatory of Music. He also played in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Frederick Stock. In the 1920s, Wilbur began working as a freelance arranger and composer in Chicago. He wrote arrangements for dance bands and radio programs, and he composed his own music as well. He also played violin in various orchestras and ensembles. In 1929, Wilbur moved to New York City to pursue his career as a composer and arranger. He changed his name to André Fabian, which he felt sounded more exotic and would help him stand out in the competitive music industry. He quickly found work as an arranger for radio programs and recording sessions. In the 1930s, André Fabian became known for his arrangements of popular songs. He worked with many of the top singers and bands of the era, including Bing Crosby, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller. He also wrote original compositions, including the popular song "Moon Love," which was recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra. During World War II, André Fabian served in the U.S. Army as a musician. He arranged music for military bands and performed in concerts for troops. After the war, he returned to New York and continued his career as a composer and arranger. In the 1950s, André Fabian began to focus more on classical music. He wrote several works for orchestra, including a symphony and a suite for strings. He also composed chamber music and vocal music. His classical works were well-received by critics and audiences, and he became known as a serious composer. One of André Fabian's most famous works is his "Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra," which he wrote in 1954. The concerto was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and was premiered by the orchestra with soloist Rafael Méndez. The piece is known for its virtuosic trumpet writing and its lyrical melodies. André Fabian continued to compose and arrange music throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He wrote music for films and television shows, including the theme for the TV series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." He also continued to write classical music, including a piano concerto and a ballet. André Fabian died on December 3, 1998, at the age of 93. He left behind a legacy of music that includes popular songs, film and TV music, and classical works. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and he is remembered as a versatile and talented composer and arranger.

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