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Composer

 

Xenos (Xenophon) Korones was a Greek-American composer who was born on January 1, 1921, in New York City. He was the son of Greek immigrants and grew up in a household that was steeped in Greek culture and music. His father was a musician who played the bouzouki, a traditional Greek stringed instrument, and his mother was a singer. Korones showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He was a prodigious talent and quickly became proficient in playing the instrument. He also showed an interest in composition and began writing his own music at a young age. Korones attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with the renowned composer Aaron Copland. He also studied piano with Rosalyn Tureck and conducting with Jean Morel. While at Juilliard, Korones was awarded the prestigious George Gershwin Memorial Scholarship, which allowed him to travel to Europe to study music. Korones spent several years in Europe, studying with some of the most prominent composers of the time, including Igor Stravinsky and Paul Hindemith. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe, attending concerts and operas and immersing himself in the music of the great composers. Korones returned to the United States in the early 1950s and began a career as a composer and conductor. He was appointed the conductor of the New York City Ballet Orchestra in 1953, a position he held for several years. He also conducted the American Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. Korones' music was heavily influenced by his Greek heritage and his travels throughout Europe. He was known for his use of traditional Greek melodies and rhythms in his compositions, as well as his incorporation of elements of modernism and serialism. One of Korones' most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1956. The symphony is a complex and challenging work that showcases Korones' mastery of orchestration and his ability to blend traditional and modern elements in his music. Korones also wrote several operas, including The Bacchae, which was based on the play by Euripides. The opera premiered in 1966 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Korones' use of Greek mythology and his incorporation of traditional Greek music into the score made the opera a unique and memorable experience. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Korones was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan. He was known for his dedication to his students and his ability to inspire them to reach their full potential as musicians. Korones continued to compose and conduct throughout his life, and his music remains an important part of the classical music canon. He died on December 31, 1999, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and inspiring music.

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