Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

March 22, 1916 in New York City, NY

Death

:

May 1, 2003 in Tarzana, CA

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

George Wyle was an American composer and arranger who was born on March 22, 1916, in New York City. He was the son of Russian immigrants and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist. Wyle began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Wyle attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition and orchestration. After graduating, he began working as a pianist and arranger for various radio and television programs. In the 1940s, he worked for the NBC radio network, where he arranged music for shows such as "The Bob Hope Show" and "The Bing Crosby Show." In the 1950s, Wyle began working in television, where he became known for his work on the popular variety show "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show." He served as the show's musical director and arranger for over a decade, and his work on the show earned him several Emmy Awards. Wyle also composed music for several television shows and movies, including "Gilligan's Island," "The Love Boat," and "The Brady Bunch." He wrote the theme song for "Gilligan's Island," which became one of the most recognizable and beloved theme songs in television history. In addition to his work in television and film, Wyle also composed classical music. He wrote several symphonies, concertos, and chamber music pieces. His classical works were often influenced by his Jewish heritage, and he incorporated Jewish melodies and themes into his compositions. One of Wyle's most famous classical works is his "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra." The concerto was premiered in 1954 by the NBC Symphony Orchestra, with Wyle himself as the soloist. The piece is known for its virtuosic piano writing and its use of jazz and blues elements. Wyle's other notable classical works include his "Symphony No. 1," which was premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1960, and his "String Quartet No. 1," which was premiered by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1965. Throughout his career, Wyle was known for his versatility as a composer and arranger. He was equally comfortable writing classical music, jazz, and popular music, and his work spanned a wide range of genres and styles. Wyle passed away on May 7, 2003, at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy of memorable music, including some of the most beloved theme songs in television history and a body of classical works that continue to be performed and admired today.

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