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Composer

 

David Yeagley was an American composer, pianist, and musicologist who was born on May 5, 1951, in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was a member of the Comanche Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States. Yeagley was raised in a musical family, and his father was a well-known Comanche singer and composer. He began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for music. Yeagley attended the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. He later earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the same institution. He also studied at the Juilliard School in New York City and the University of Arizona. Yeagley's music was heavily influenced by his Native American heritage, and he often incorporated traditional Comanche melodies and rhythms into his compositions. He was also influenced by the works of classical composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. One of Yeagley's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, "Bad Eagle," which was premiered by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in 1990. The symphony is a tribute to his Comanche heritage and features traditional Comanche melodies and rhythms. The work was well-received by audiences and critics alike and helped establish Yeagley as a prominent composer. In addition to his work as a composer, Yeagley was also a musicologist and wrote extensively on the history of classical music. He was a frequent contributor to publications such as The American Spectator and The New York Sun, and he often wrote about the intersection of classical music and politics. Yeagley was also a controversial figure, and his views on race and politics often drew criticism. He was a vocal supporter of conservative causes and was critical of what he saw as the liberal bias in the classical music world. He was also a critic of multiculturalism and argued that the promotion of non-Western music was a threat to the tradition of classical music. Despite the controversy surrounding his views, Yeagley continued to compose and perform throughout his career. He released several albums of his music, including "Comanche Hymns" and "The American Indian Suite." He also performed as a pianist and gave lectures on classical music and Native American culture. Yeagley passed away on March 22, 2014, at the age of 62. His legacy as a composer and musicologist continues to be debated, but his contributions to the world of classical music and his efforts to promote the music of his Comanche heritage are undeniable.

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