Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 25, 1932

Death

:

May 11, 2005

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Martin William Karlins was an American composer of classical music, born on August 24, 1928, in New York City. He was the son of Russian immigrants, and his father was a tailor. Karlins grew up in a musical family, and his parents encouraged him to pursue music from a young age. He began playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the violin and viola. Karlins attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied composition with Vittorio Giannini. He went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1950 and a Master of Music degree in 1951. While at Juilliard, Karlins studied composition with Peter Mennin and Vincent Persichetti. After completing his studies, Karlins worked as a composer and music educator. He taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1953 to 1963 and at the University of California, San Diego from 1967 to 1994. He also served as the director of the Center for Music Experiment at UCSD from 1971 to 1976. Karlins' music is characterized by its use of serialism and electronic music. He was one of the first American composers to use electronic music in his compositions, and he was a pioneer in the field of computer music. His works often feature complex rhythms and harmonies, and he was known for his use of unconventional instruments and sounds. One of Karlins' most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1956. The symphony is a twelve-tone work that features complex rhythms and harmonies. It was well-received by critics and helped establish Karlins as a leading American composer. Another notable work by Karlins is his String Quartet No. 2, which was premiered by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1960. The quartet is a twelve-tone work that features intricate counterpoint and complex rhythms. It is considered one of Karlins' most important works and has been performed by many other string quartets since its premiere. Karlins also composed several works for electronic music, including his Electronic Study No. 1, which was composed in 1960. The piece features a series of electronic sounds and was one of the first works of electronic music to be performed in the United States. In addition to his work as a composer, Karlins was also a respected music educator. He was known for his innovative teaching methods and his use of technology in the classroom. He was a mentor to many young composers and helped to shape the careers of several prominent musicians. Karlins received many awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1960 and a Fulbright Fellowship in 1963. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Martin William Karlins passed away on December 25, 1993, in San Diego, California. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important American composers of the 20th century. His innovative use of electronic music and his contributions to the field of computer music have had a lasting impact on the world of classical music.

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