Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Birth

:

December 18, 1928 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Death

:

December 17, 2018 in Staten Island, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Galt MacDermot was a Canadian-American composer, pianist, and writer who was best known for his contributions to the world of musical theater. Born on December 18, 1928, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, MacDermot was the son of a diplomat and spent much of his childhood traveling around the world. Despite this, he showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. MacDermot's formal musical education began at the Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he studied piano and composition. After completing his studies, he moved to New York City in 1950 to attend the Juilliard School of Music. While at Juilliard, MacDermot studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and piano with Rosina Lhévinne. After graduating from Juilliard in 1953, MacDermot began working as a freelance composer and pianist. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented musician and was soon hired to write music for a variety of projects, including television shows, films, and commercials. In the early 1960s, MacDermot began working on his first musical, "Hair." The show, which premiered off-Broadway in 1967, was a groundbreaking work that dealt with themes of counterculture, sexuality, and drug use. MacDermot's music for the show was a fusion of rock, pop, and R&B, and it helped to define the sound of the era. "Hair" was a huge success, and it moved to Broadway in 1968, where it ran for over 1,700 performances. The show's soundtrack, which featured MacDermot's music, became a best-selling album and helped to popularize the musical genre. Following the success of "Hair," MacDermot continued to work in the musical theater world. He wrote music for a number of shows, including "Two Gentlemen of Verona," which won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1972. MacDermot's music for the show was a mix of rock, funk, and soul, and it helped to establish him as one of the most innovative composers of his time. In addition to his work in musical theater, MacDermot also wrote music for films and television shows. He composed the score for the film "Cotton Comes to Harlem" in 1970, and he wrote music for the television series "The Cosby Show" in the 1980s. Throughout his career, MacDermot remained committed to exploring new musical styles and pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the world of music. He was known for his eclectic tastes and his willingness to experiment with different genres and styles. MacDermot passed away on December 17, 2018, at the age of 89. His legacy as a composer and musician continues to be felt in the world of musical theater and beyond. His music for "Hair" and other shows helped to define the sound of the 1960s and 1970s, and his innovative approach to composition continues to inspire musicians and composers today.

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