Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

March 21, 1928 in Kalispell, MT

Death

:

November 29, 2019 in Bronx, NY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Ruth Anderson was an American composer who was born on April 28, 1928, in Missoula, Montana. She was the daughter of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Her mother was a pianist, and her father played the violin. Anderson started playing the piano at a young age and showed an early interest in music. Anderson attended the University of Montana, where she studied music and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1950. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned a Master of Music degree in 1954. While at Juilliard, Anderson studied with composers such as Vincent Persichetti and Peter Mennin. After completing her studies, Anderson worked as a music teacher and composer. She taught at several universities, including Hunter College, Brooklyn College, and the City University of New York. Anderson also worked as a composer for radio and television, creating music for programs such as Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Anderson's music was influenced by a variety of styles, including electronic music, musique concrète, and minimalism. She was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of electronic music and was one of the first female composers to work with electronic music. Anderson's early electronic works were created using tape recorders and other analog equipment. Later in her career, she began using digital technology to create her music. One of Anderson's most well-known works is "SUM (State of the Union Message)," which was created in 1972. The piece is a political commentary on the state of the United States at the time and features a collage of sounds and voices, including excerpts from speeches by President Richard Nixon and other political figures. "SUM" was performed at the Kitchen in New York City and was later released on an album by the same name. Another notable work by Anderson is "Points," which was created in 1979. The piece is a minimalist composition that features a repeating pattern of notes played on a synthesizer. The notes gradually shift in pitch and rhythm, creating a hypnotic effect. "Points" was performed at the Kitchen and was later released on an album titled "Here." Anderson continued to compose music throughout her life and was active in the music community until her death in 2019. She was a member of several music organizations, including the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the International Alliance for Women in Music. Anderson was also a recipient of several awards and honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. In addition to her work as a composer, Anderson was also an advocate for women in music. She was a founding member of the New York Women Composers organization and worked to promote the work of female composers. Anderson believed that women had been historically underrepresented in the field of classical music and worked to change that. Overall, Ruth Anderson was a pioneering composer who helped to push the boundaries of electronic music. Her work was innovative and experimental, and she was a trailblazer for women in music. Anderson's legacy continues to inspire composers and musicians today, and her contributions to the field of classical music will not be forgotten.

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