Role

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Composer

Period

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Contemporary

Genre

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Band

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

David Froom is a contemporary American composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 18, 1951, in New York City, Froom grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Froom began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Froom attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with Roger Sessions and Vincent Persichetti. He also studied piano with Beveridge Webster and chamber music with Felix Galimir. After graduating from Juilliard, Froom continued his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Ph.D. in composition. Froom's early works were influenced by the serialist techniques of his teachers at Juilliard. However, he soon began to develop his own style, which combined elements of serialism with tonality and traditional forms. Froom's music is characterized by its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and emotional depth. One of Froom's early works, "Three Poems of Theodore Roethke" for soprano and piano, was premiered in 1978 and received critical acclaim. The piece set three poems by the American poet Theodore Roethke to music, and showcased Froom's ability to create expressive melodies and harmonies. In the 1980s, Froom began to receive commissions from major orchestras and ensembles. One of his most notable works from this period is "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 1987. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the solo piano, and features Froom's signature blend of tonality and serialism. Froom's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to his work as a composer, Froom is also a respected teacher and mentor. He has taught at several universities, including the University of Michigan, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Texas at Austin. Many of his former students have gone on to successful careers as composers and performers. Froom's later works continue to explore the intersection of tonality and serialism, while also incorporating elements of jazz and popular music. One of his most recent works, "The Broken Mirror," is a song cycle for soprano and piano that sets poems by the American poet Louise Glück to music. The cycle was premiered in 2019 and received critical acclaim for its emotional depth and expressive power. Overall, David Froom is a composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His music is characterized by its lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and emotional depth, and has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles. Froom's legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians.

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