Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

August 17, 1903 in New York City, NY

Death

:

1987

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Abram Chasins was an American composer, pianist, and writer who was born on August 17, 1903, in New York City. He was the youngest of four children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Chasins showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He was a prodigious talent and gave his first public performance at the age of eight. Chasins received his early musical education from his mother, who was a pianist. He later studied with several prominent teachers, including Ernest Hutcheson, Carl Friedberg, and Isidor Philipp. He also studied composition with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Chasins made his debut as a pianist in 1926, performing with the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Arturo Toscanini. He went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his virtuosic technique and his ability to bring out the emotional depth of the music he played. In addition to his career as a pianist, Chasins was also a prolific composer. He wrote music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, and solo piano pieces. His music was characterized by its lyricism, its use of rich harmonies, and its emotional intensity. One of Chasins' most famous works is his Piano Concerto No. 2, which he composed in 1935. The concerto is a virtuosic tour de force for the soloist, with sweeping melodies and intricate passagework. It was premiered by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of John Barbirolli, with Chasins himself as the soloist. Chasins also wrote several works for solo piano, including his Prelude and Fugue in C-sharp minor, which is considered one of his most important works. The piece is a tribute to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and features a complex fugue that showcases Chasins' mastery of counterpoint. In addition to his work as a composer and pianist, Chasins was also a prolific writer. He wrote several books on music, including "Speaking of Pianists" and "Leopold Stokowski: A Profile." He was also a regular contributor to the New York Times and other publications. Chasins was a passionate advocate for classical music and worked tirelessly to promote the art form. He was a founding member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and served as its president from 1940 to 1943. He also served as the music director of the New York City radio station WQXR from 1943 to 1949. Chasins died on June 21, 1987, in New York City. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be performed and admired today. His contributions to the world of classical music as a composer, pianist, and writer have earned him a place among the greats of the genre.

More....