Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1904

Death

:

1958

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

David Broekman was a renowned American composer, arranger, and conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music during the 20th century. He was born on February 28, 1899, in New York City, to a family of musicians. His father, Max Broekman, was a violinist, and his mother, Bertha Broekman, was a pianist. David showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Broekman's musical education began at the Institute of Musical Art (now known as the Juilliard School) in New York City, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. He later continued his studies at the Paris Conservatory, where he studied composition with Nadia Boulanger and conducting with Pierre Monteux. After returning to the United States, Broekman began his career as a composer and arranger for radio and film. He worked for several major studios, including Warner Bros., MGM, and Paramount, and composed music for over 200 films. Some of his most notable film scores include "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "The Sea Hawk" (1940), and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948). In addition to his work in film, Broekman was also an accomplished conductor and arranger for orchestras and musical theater productions. He conducted the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, among others. He also arranged music for Broadway shows, including "The King and I" and "South Pacific." Broekman's contributions to classical music were recognized with several awards and honors throughout his career. In 1942, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for his work on the film "One Foot in Heaven." He was also nominated for Academy Awards for his scores for "The Sea Hawk" and "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." In 1951, he won a Tony Award for Best Musical for his work on "Call Me Madam." Despite his success in the world of film and musical theater, Broekman remained committed to classical music throughout his life. He composed several works for orchestra, including a symphony and a piano concerto. He also wrote chamber music and vocal works, including a setting of the "Ave Maria" for choir and organ. David Broekman died on September 13, 1958, at the age of 59. His contributions to classical music continue to be celebrated and remembered today.

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