Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1951

Death

:

1986

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Brian Israel was an American composer of classical music, born on August 28, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Israel began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition with Vittorio Giannini. After high school, Israel went on to study at the Juilliard School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition in 1957. He continued his studies at Juilliard, earning a Master of Music degree in composition in 1958. While at Juilliard, Israel studied with some of the most prominent composers of the time, including Vincent Persichetti, Peter Mennin, and William Schuman. Israel's early works were heavily influenced by the serialist movement, which was popular in the mid-20th century. However, he soon began to develop his own unique style, which blended elements of serialism with tonality and traditional forms. Israel's music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, intricate harmonies, and expressive melodies. One of Israel's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1962. The symphony is in three movements and features a large orchestra. The first movement is marked by its driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies, while the second movement is more lyrical and introspective. The final movement is a lively and energetic dance, with a strong sense of forward momentum. Israel's other orchestral works include his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which he composed in 1965. The concerto is in three movements and features a virtuosic piano part. The first movement is marked by its rhythmic complexity and angular melodies, while the second movement is more introspective and lyrical. The final movement is a lively and energetic dance, with a strong sense of forward momentum. In addition to his orchestral works, Israel also composed a number of chamber music pieces. One of his most notable chamber works is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1960. The quartet is in four movements and features intricate counterpoint and expressive melodies. The first movement is marked by its driving rhythms and dissonant harmonies, while the second movement is more lyrical and introspective. The third movement is a lively and energetic dance, while the final movement is a complex and virtuosic fugue. Israel also composed a number of vocal works, including his Three Songs for Soprano and Piano, which he composed in 1963. The songs are set to texts by the American poet e.e. cummings and feature expressive melodies and intricate harmonies. The first song, "i carry your heart with me," is marked by its soaring vocal line and lush harmonies, while the second song, "if everything happens that can't be done," is more introspective and lyrical. The final song, "anyone lived in a pretty how town," is a lively and energetic setting of cummings' famous poem. Throughout his career, Israel received numerous awards and honors for his compositions. In 1963, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to Europe and study with the renowned composer Luigi Dallapiccola. He also received commissions from a number of prominent ensembles and organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Fromm Music Foundation.

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