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Solomon Golub was a classical music composer who was born on December 25, 1907, in New York City. He was the youngest of six children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Golub showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He was largely self-taught until he began studying with the composer and pianist Ernest Bloch at the age of 16. Golub attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Bernard Wagenaar and piano with Josef Lhevinne. He graduated in 1929 and went on to study with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. Boulanger was a highly influential teacher who had a profound impact on many composers of the 20th century, including Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, and Elliott Carter. Golub's early works were heavily influenced by the music of Bloch and Boulanger, as well as by the folk music of his Jewish heritage. His first major work was a piano concerto, which he composed in 1932. The concerto was well-received and helped establish Golub as a promising young composer. In the 1930s, Golub began to experiment with incorporating jazz and popular music into his compositions. This was a controversial move at the time, as many classical composers viewed jazz and popular music as inferior and unworthy of serious consideration. However, Golub believed that these genres had a unique vitality and energy that could be harnessed in classical music. One of Golub's most famous works from this period is his "Rhapsody in Blue and White," which was composed in 1935. The piece is a fusion of classical and jazz styles, and features a prominent role for the piano. It was premiered by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Arturo Toscanini, and was an immediate success. Golub continued to experiment with different styles and genres throughout his career. In the 1940s, he began to incorporate elements of serialism and atonality into his compositions. This was a departure from his earlier work, which had been more tonal and melodic. However, Golub believed that these techniques were necessary to push the boundaries of classical music and keep it relevant in a rapidly changing world. One of Golub's most significant works from this period is his "Symphony No. 2," which was composed in 1948. The symphony is a complex and challenging work that incorporates elements of serialism, atonality, and jazz. It was premiered by the New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, and was met with mixed reviews. Some critics praised the work for its daring and innovative approach, while others found it too difficult and inaccessible. Despite the mixed reception to his more experimental works, Golub continued to push the boundaries of classical music throughout his career. In the 1950s and 1960s, he began to incorporate electronic music and musique concrète into his compositions. He also experimented with different forms, such as the opera and the ballet. One of Golub's most famous works from this period is his opera "The Dybbuk," which was composed in 1951. The opera is based on a play by S. Ansky, and tells the story of a young bride possessed by the spirit of her dead lover. The work is a fusion of Jewish folk music, atonality, and electronic music, and was hailed as a masterpiece by many critics. Golub continued to compose throughout the 1970s and 1980s, although his output slowed down somewhat.

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