Janet Wheeler was a classical music composer born on August 12, 1956, in New York City, United States. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a violinist. From a young age, Wheeler showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. She later learned to play the violin and the cello. Wheeler attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied composition under the guidance of Milton Babbitt and Roger Sessions. She also studied piano with Adele Marcus and chamber music with Felix Galimir. During her time at Juilliard, Wheeler was awarded several scholarships and prizes for her outstanding musical abilities. After completing her studies at Juilliard, Wheeler began her career as a composer. Her early works were heavily influenced by the serialist style of composition, which was popular at the time. However, as she matured as a composer, Wheeler began to develop her own unique style, which blended elements of serialism with more traditional tonal harmonies. One of Wheeler's early works, "String Quartet No. 1," was premiered in 1982 by the Arditti Quartet. The piece was well-received by critics and established Wheeler as a promising young composer. She went on to compose several other chamber works, including "String Quartet No. 2" and "Piano Trio." In the 1990s, Wheeler began to focus more on orchestral music. One of her most notable works from this period is "Symphony No. 1," which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1995. The piece was praised for its innovative use of orchestration and its complex harmonic structure. Wheeler's music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has also been commissioned to write works for a variety of soloists, including pianist Emanuel Ax and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In addition to her work as a composer, Wheeler has also been active as a teacher and mentor. She has taught composition at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the Eastman School of Music. Many of her former students have gone on to successful careers as composers and performers. Wheeler's music is known for its intricate harmonies and complex rhythms. She often incorporates elements of jazz and popular music into her compositions, giving them a unique and contemporary feel. Her works are also characterized by their emotional depth and expressive power. Some of Wheeler's most notable works include "Symphony No. 2," "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," and "String Quartet No. 3." Her music has been praised for its originality and its ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. Throughout her career, Wheeler has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1998 and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2003. In 2010, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for her composition "String Quartet No. 4." Janet Wheeler is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of her generation. Her music has had a profound impact on the world of classical music, and her innovative approach to composition continues to inspire new generations of musicians and composers.

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