Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

June 22, 1932

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Michael Horvit was an American composer, pianist, and music educator who was born on January 4, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants who had settled in the United States. Horvit showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1953 and a Master of Music degree in 1954. After completing his studies, Horvit began his career as a music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, where he served as a professor of music for over 30 years. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and the University of Colorado. Horvit was a prolific composer who wrote music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and solo piano pieces. His compositions were characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of tonality and often used unconventional chord progressions and harmonic structures in his music. One of Horvit's most famous works is his Piano Concerto No. 1, which was premiered by the Austin Symphony Orchestra in 1963. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with fast runs, intricate passagework, and soaring melodies. It has been performed by many pianists around the world and is considered one of the most important American piano concertos of the 20th century. Horvit also wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered by the Fine Arts Quartet in 1960. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that showcases Horvit's mastery of counterpoint and his ability to create intricate textures and harmonies. It has been performed by many of the world's leading string quartets and is considered one of Horvit's most important chamber works. In addition to his instrumental music, Horvit was also a prolific composer of choral music. His works for choir include settings of texts by Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes, as well as several original compositions. His choral music is characterized by its lush harmonies, expressive melodies, and sensitive treatment of text. Horvit was also a respected music educator who wrote several influential textbooks on music theory and composition. His books, including "Music for Ear Training" and "Harmony and Voice Leading," are widely used in music schools and conservatories around the world. He was also a sought-after lecturer and clinician, and he gave workshops and masterclasses at universities and music festivals throughout the United States and Europe. Horvit received many awards and honors during his career, including the Texas Medal of Arts in 2003 and the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Music Educators Association in 2004. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Michael Horvit passed away on August 15, 2020, at the age of 88. He left behind a rich legacy of music and education, and his works continue to be performed and studied by musicians and students around the world. His contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for generations to come.

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