Role

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Composer

Period

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Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

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Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Dana Paul Perna was an American composer of classical music, born on August 22, 1953, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Perna began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and Roger Sessions. Perna's early works were heavily influenced by the music of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms. He was also inspired by the works of contemporary composers such as Elliott Carter and Milton Babbitt. Perna's compositions were characterized by their complex harmonies, intricate rhythms, and use of serialism. One of Perna's early works, "String Quartet No. 1," was premiered in 1978 by the Juilliard String Quartet. The piece was well-received and established Perna as a promising young composer. In 1980, Perna was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to Europe and study with the renowned composer György Ligeti. Perna's music continued to evolve throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He began incorporating more tonal elements into his compositions, while still maintaining his signature complex harmonies and rhythms. One of his most notable works from this period was "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was premiered in 1992 by the New York Philharmonic with pianist Emanuel Ax as the soloist. In addition to his work as a composer, Perna was also a respected music educator. He taught composition at the Juilliard School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and was a frequent guest lecturer at universities and music festivals around the world. Tragically, Perna's life was cut short when he died of cancer on May 12, 2005, at the age of 51. However, his legacy as a composer and educator lives on through his music and the many students he inspired. Some of Perna's other notable works include "Symphony No. 1," "String Quartet No. 2," and "Sonata for Violin and Piano." His music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Perna's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to the Guggenheim Fellowship, he was also awarded the Rome Prize, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award, and the ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize. In conclusion, Dana Paul Perna was a gifted composer and educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His music was characterized by its complex harmonies and rhythms, and his works were performed by some of the world's most renowned orchestras and ensembles. Although his life was cut short, his legacy lives on through his music and the many students he inspired.

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