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Composer  

 

Murl Allen Sanders was an American composer and pianist who was born on December 26, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a singer. Sanders began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Sanders attended the University of Southern California, where he studied music composition and piano performance. He also studied with renowned composers such as Ingolf Dahl and Halsey Stevens. During his time at USC, Sanders was awarded the prestigious BMI Student Composer Award for his composition "Symphony No. 1." After graduating from USC, Sanders began his career as a composer and pianist. He composed music for film and television, including the theme for the popular TV show "The Love Boat." He also worked as a session musician, playing piano on recordings for artists such as Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross. Sanders' classical compositions were heavily influenced by jazz and popular music. He often incorporated elements of these genres into his works, creating a unique and eclectic style. His compositions were known for their lush harmonies, intricate rhythms, and melodic beauty. One of Sanders' most famous works is his "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1984. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the piano, with complex rhythms and harmonies that showcase Sanders' jazz influences. The piece has been performed by orchestras around the world and is considered one of Sanders' masterpieces. Another notable work by Sanders is his "Symphony No. 2," which was commissioned by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in 1990. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Sanders' ability to blend classical and jazz styles. The piece features lush orchestration and intricate rhythms, with a memorable melody that runs throughout the work. Sanders also composed several works for chamber ensembles, including his "String Quartet No. 1" and "Sonata for Violin and Piano." These works showcase Sanders' ability to create intimate and expressive music, with beautiful melodies and intricate harmonies. Throughout his career, Sanders received numerous awards and honors for his compositions. He was a recipient of the ASCAP Foundation's Morton Gould Young Composer Award and was inducted into the USC Thornton School of Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Sanders continued to compose and perform until his death on January 24, 2019, at the age of 71. His music continues to be performed and recorded by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and his legacy as a composer and pianist lives on.

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