Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

September 8, 1933 in Queens, NY

Death

:

November 12, 2017 in Brooklyn, NY

 

Eric Salzman was an American composer, music critic, and radio producer who was born on September 8, 1933, in New York City. He was raised in a family of musicians, and his father was a composer and conductor. Salzman began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and composition with his father. He later attended Columbia University, where he earned a degree in English literature. Salzman's early compositions were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the work of John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He was also interested in the use of electronic music and tape manipulation in composition. In the 1960s, Salzman became involved in the New York avant-garde music scene, collaborating with artists such as Robert Ashley, Morton Feldman, and Alvin Lucier. In the 1970s, Salzman began to focus more on opera and music theater. He was particularly interested in the use of music as a means of social and political commentary. His first opera, "The Nude Paper Sermon," was premiered in 1976 and dealt with issues of censorship and artistic freedom. Salzman's other operas include "Civilization and Its Discontents," "Big Jim and the Small-time Investors," and "The True Last Words of Dutch Schultz." Salzman was also a prolific writer and music critic. He wrote for publications such as The New York Times, The Village Voice, and High Fidelity. He was particularly interested in the intersection of music and politics, and his writing often addressed issues such as censorship, the role of the artist in society, and the relationship between music and power. In addition to his work as a composer and writer, Salzman was also a radio producer. He produced a number of programs for National Public Radio, including "Options," a program that explored the intersection of music and politics. He also produced a series of programs on the history of American music, which were broadcast on NPR and the BBC. Salzman's music is characterized by its eclectic style and use of a wide range of musical influences. His work often incorporates elements of jazz, rock, and folk music, as well as classical and avant-garde techniques. He was particularly interested in the use of music as a means of social and political commentary, and his work often addresses issues such as censorship, artistic freedom, and the relationship between music and power. Salzman's contributions to the world of music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was a Guggenheim Fellow, a recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Music, and a recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Eric Salzman passed away on November 12, 2017, at the age of 84. His legacy as a composer, writer, and radio producer continues to inspire and influence musicians and artists around the world.

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