Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 26, 1938 in Seattle, WA

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

William Bolcom is an American composer and pianist who was born on May 26, 1938, in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a pianist and his father a violinist. Bolcom began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He went on to study at the University of Washington, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1960. After completing his undergraduate studies, Bolcom moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied composition with Darius Milhaud and piano with William Kapell. Bolcom also studied with composer Arnold Schoenberg at the University of California, Los Angeles. Bolcom's early compositions were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s, but he soon began to incorporate elements of popular music into his work. He became known for his eclectic style, which blended classical, jazz, and popular music. Bolcom's music often features complex harmonies and rhythms, as well as a sense of humor and playfulness. One of Bolcom's most famous works is his "Cabaret Songs," a collection of 24 songs for voice and piano that he composed with his wife, mezzo-soprano Joan Morris. The songs are inspired by the music of the Weimar Republic era in Germany and feature lyrics by various poets, including Arnold Weinstein and Arnold Sundgaard. The "Cabaret Songs" have been performed by many singers, including Morris, who has recorded several albums of Bolcom's music. Another notable work by Bolcom is his opera "McTeague," which is based on the novel of the same name by Frank Norris. The opera premiered in 1992 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and was later performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. "McTeague" is a dark and intense work that explores themes of greed, jealousy, and violence. Bolcom has also composed several works for orchestra, including his "Concerto Grosso" and "Symphony No. 4." His music has been performed by many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Bolcom is also an accomplished pianist. He has recorded several albums of his own music, as well as works by other composers. Bolcom has also performed as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Throughout his career, Bolcom has received numerous awards and honors for his work. He has won several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Contemporary Composition for his "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" in 2006. Bolcom has also been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music, the National Medal of Arts, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Gold Medal for Music. Today, Bolcom continues to compose and perform music. He is a professor of composition at the University of Michigan, where he has taught since 1973. Bolcom's music remains popular with audiences around the world, and his eclectic style continues to inspire and influence other composers.

More....