Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

July 30, 1890 in Schio, Italy

Death

:

July 13, 1969 in Union City, NJ

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

Anthony Louis Scarmolin was an American composer of classical music, born on August 22, 1927, in New York City. He was the son of Italian immigrants, and his father was a violinist who played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Scarmolin grew up in a musical household and began playing the piano at a young age. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and piano with Rosalyn Tureck. Scarmolin'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 works. In 1952, he won the George Gershwin Memorial Award for his composition "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra." This early success helped establish Scarmolin as a promising young composer. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Scarmolin continued to compose and perform his music. He wrote works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. His music was performed by many prominent musicians and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Juilliard String Quartet. One of Scarmolin's most significant works is his "Symphony No. 1," which he composed in 1957. The symphony is in three movements and features a large orchestra. The work is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as its incorporation of jazz and popular music elements. The symphony was well-received by critics and helped establish Scarmolin as a major figure in American classical music. In addition to his compositions, Scarmolin was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Michigan and the University of California, Los Angeles. He was known for his innovative teaching methods and his ability to inspire his students. Scarmolin's later works continued to explore new musical ideas and techniques. In the 1970s, he began incorporating electronic music into his compositions. He also experimented with aleatoric music, which allows for chance elements in the performance of a work. His later works were often more abstract and experimental than his earlier compositions. Scarmolin's music has been performed and recorded by many prominent musicians and ensembles. His works have been featured on numerous recordings, including several on the Naxos label. His music has also been performed at major music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. Anthony Louis Scarmolin died on December 31, 2007, in Los Angeles, California. He was 80 years old. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

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