Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

January 7, 1917 in Tucson, AZ

Death

:

May 20, 1995 in Englewood, NJ

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Ulysses Kay was an American composer who was born on January 7, 1917, in Tucson, Arizona. He was the youngest of five children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a minister and his mother was a pianist and organist. Kay began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for music early on. Kay's family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child, and he continued his musical education there. He studied piano and composition at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and later at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He also studied with the renowned composer Aaron Copland at Tanglewood. Kay's early compositions were influenced by the music of Copland and other American composers of the time. He was also interested in African-American folk music and incorporated elements of it into his work. In 1941, Kay won the prestigious Rome Prize, which allowed him to study in Italy for two years. While in Italy, he studied with the composer Gian Francesco Malipiero and was exposed to the music of the Italian Renaissance. After returning to the United States, Kay began to establish himself as a composer. He wrote music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and solo instruments. His works were performed by many of the leading orchestras and ensembles of the time, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. One of Kay's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1949. The symphony is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Kay's skill as a composer. It is a four-movement work that features a wide range of musical styles and influences, including jazz and African-American folk music. Kay continued to write music throughout his career, and his works became more experimental and avant-garde in the 1960s and 1970s. He was interested in electronic music and incorporated electronic sounds into some of his compositions. He also wrote music for films and television, including the theme for the television show "The Defenders." Kay was a respected teacher and mentor to many young composers. He taught at the Manhattan School of Music and the Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York. He also served as a guest lecturer and composer-in-residence at many universities and music schools throughout the United States. Kay received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1964 and was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1995. He was also awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Rochester and the University of Arizona. Ulysses Kay died on May 20, 1995, in Englewood, New Jersey. He was 78 years old. His legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

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