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Franklyn Marks was a renowned classical music composer who was born on May 12, 1923, in New York City. He was the youngest of three children born to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Marks showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Marks received his formal music education at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition under the tutelage of renowned composers such as Aaron Copland and Roger Sessions. He also studied piano and conducting, which helped him develop a well-rounded understanding of music. Marks' early compositions were heavily influenced by the works of the great composers of the Romantic era, such as Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. However, as he matured as a composer, he began to develop his own unique style, which was characterized by its use of complex harmonies and intricate rhythms. One of Marks' most significant works was his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1950. The symphony was well-received by critics and audiences alike and helped establish Marks as a major figure in the world of classical music. The symphony was characterized by its use of lush harmonies and sweeping melodies, which were reminiscent of the works of the Romantic composers. Marks continued to compose throughout the 1950s and 1960s, producing a wide range of works, including chamber music, choral music, and orchestral works. One of his most notable works from this period was his Piano Concerto, which he composed in 1962. The concerto was characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and its use of complex harmonies and rhythms. In the 1970s, Marks began to experiment with electronic music, which was a relatively new field at the time. He composed several works that combined traditional orchestral instruments with electronic sounds, creating a unique and innovative sound. One of his most notable works from this period was his Electronic Symphony, which he composed in 1975. Marks continued to compose throughout the 1980s and 1990s, producing a wide range of works that reflected his continued experimentation with different musical styles and techniques. One of his most notable works from this period was his String Quartet No. 3, which he composed in 1992. The quartet was characterized by its use of complex harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of electronic sounds. Throughout his career, Marks received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1965 for his Symphony No. 2, and he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1972. He also received numerous commissions from major orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Marks passed away on June 15, 2009, at the age of 86. His legacy as a composer continues to live on through his numerous works, which are still performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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