Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 2, 1912 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

December 2, 1984

 

Harry Sukman was an American composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on December 2, 1912, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, which inspired him to pursue a career in music. Sukman began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano with his mother. He later studied composition and orchestration at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. After completing his studies, he worked as a pianist and arranger for various radio stations in Chicago. In 1940, Sukman moved to Hollywood to work in the film industry. He started as a pianist and arranger for various studios, including MGM and Warner Bros. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer and conductor, and in 1950, he was appointed as the musical director for the CBS television network. Sukman's career in Hollywood spanned over four decades, during which he composed music for over 100 films and television shows. Some of his most notable works include the scores for the films "The High and the Mighty" (1954), "Pillow Talk" (1959), and "The Singing Nun" (1966). He also composed the theme music for the television shows "Dr. Kildare" (1961-1966) and "The Guns of Will Sonnett" (1967-1969). In addition to his work in Hollywood, Sukman was also an accomplished classical composer and conductor. He composed several symphonies, concertos, and chamber works, which were performed by major orchestras around the world. He also conducted many of his own works, as well as those of other composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. One of Sukman's most significant achievements as a classical composer was his opera "The Last Tycoon," which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 1976. The opera was based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and was praised for its lush orchestration and lyrical melodies. Throughout his career, Sukman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of music. He won four Emmy Awards for his work in television, including one for the score of the miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976). He also received a Grammy Award for his recording of his own piano concerto. Sukman was a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was also a founding member of the Society of Composers and Lyricists, which was established to promote the interests of composers and lyricists in the film and television industry. Harry Sukman passed away on December 2, 1984, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of classical music and Hollywood will always be remembered and celebrated.

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