Role

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Composer

Genre

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Orchestral

 

Paul Fetler was an American composer of classical music, born on December 8, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a violinist and a pianist, and his parents encouraged him to pursue music from a young age. Fetler began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the violin and viola. Fetler attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition with Rosario Scalero and conducting with Fritz Reiner. After graduating from Curtis, he served in the United States Army during World War II, where he played in the Army Band and conducted the Army Chorus. After the war, Fetler continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied composition with William Schuman and Vincent Persichetti. He also studied conducting with Serge Koussevitzky at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. Fetler's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith, but he later developed his own unique style that blended elements of tonality and atonality. His music is characterized by its rhythmic vitality, colorful orchestration, and emotional intensity. Fetler's first major work was his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1952. The symphony was well-received and established Fetler as a promising young composer. He went on to write several other orchestral works, including his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra in 1967. Fetler also wrote a number of chamber works, including his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1955. He later wrote two more string quartets, as well as several works for solo instruments and small ensembles. One of Fetler's most famous works is his Concerto for Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra and premiered in 1980. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the orchestra, featuring intricate rhythms, colorful harmonies, and a wide range of instrumental textures. Fetler was also known for his vocal music, including his opera, "Noah's Ark," which was premiered by the Minnesota Opera in 1997. The opera tells the story of Noah and the flood, and features a large cast of singers and a colorful orchestration. Throughout his career, Fetler received numerous awards and honors for his music, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Fetler continued to compose music well into his 90s, and his final work, "Three Poems of Emily Dickinson," was premiered in 2012. He passed away on August 22, 2019, at the age of 98. In conclusion, Paul Fetler was a highly respected American composer of classical music, known for his rhythmic vitality, colorful orchestration, and emotional intensity. His music was influenced by the neoclassical style of Stravinsky and Hindemith, but he developed his own unique style that blended elements of tonality and atonality. Fetler's works include orchestral works, chamber music, vocal music, and an opera, and he received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. His legacy as a composer continues to inspire and influence musicians and audiences around the world.

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