Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Harry Breuer was an American composer and percussionist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on January 21, 1911, in New York City, and grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, so it was only natural that Harry would develop an interest in music at a young age. Breuer began his musical training on the piano, but he soon switched to percussion instruments, which would become his lifelong passion. He studied with some of the best percussionists of his time, including George Hamilton Green and Billy Gladstone. He also studied composition with Aaron Copland and Henry Cowell. Breuer's early career was focused on performing as a percussionist. He played with many of the top orchestras of the day, including the New York Philharmonic and the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He also played in Broadway shows and on radio and television programs. In the 1940s, Breuer began to focus more on composition. He wrote music for films, television shows, and commercials, as well as concert works for percussion ensemble. One of his most famous compositions is the "Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra," which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1959. Breuer's music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity and its use of unusual percussion instruments. He was known for incorporating non-Western instruments, such as the gamelan and the African thumb piano, into his compositions. He also experimented with electronic music, using tape recorders and other devices to create new sounds. Breuer's music was well-received by critics and audiences alike. He won numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fulbright Scholarship. He was also a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Breuer continued to compose and perform music well into his later years. He died on December 3, 1989, at the age of 78. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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