Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 4, 1915 in Baltimore, MD

Death

:

July 12, 2002 in Hudson, NY

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Alan Shulman was an American composer, cellist, and conductor who was born on June 4, 1915, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the youngest of three children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants, and his family was musically inclined. His father, William Shulman, was a violinist and conductor, and his mother, Rose Shulman, was a pianist. Alan's older brother, Sylvan Shulman, was also a cellist and composer. Alan began playing the cello at the age of six, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing professionally. He studied at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and later at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied with the renowned cellist Felix Salmond. While at Curtis, he also studied composition with Rosario Scalero. After completing his studies, Shulman began his career as a cellist, performing with various orchestras and chamber ensembles. He was a member of the NBC Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arturo Toscanini and also played with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his career as a cellist, Shulman was also a prolific composer. He wrote music for a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, film scores, and musical theater. His music was often characterized by its lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. One of Shulman's most famous works is his Theme and Variations for Viola and Orchestra, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1940. The piece was written for the violist William Primrose, who was a close friend of Shulman's. The work is a set of variations on a simple, folk-like theme, and it showcases the viola's rich, warm tone. Another notable work by Shulman is his Rendezvous for Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet, which was premiered in 1945. The piece was commissioned by the clarinetist Benny Goodman, who performed it with the members of the Budapest String Quartet and the harpist Lucile Lawrence. The work is a lively, jazzy piece that features virtuosic solos for the clarinet and harp. Shulman also wrote music for several films, including The Comedians (1967), The Boston Strangler (1968), and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974). His film scores were often characterized by their atmospheric, moody soundscapes and their use of unconventional instruments, such as the theremin. In addition to his work as a composer and cellist, Shulman was also a respected conductor. He conducted several orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the Israel Philharmonic. He was also the music director of the WQXR radio station in New York City from 1958 to 1965. Throughout his career, Shulman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Institute of Arts and Letters Award, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. He was also inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Alan Shulman died on July 31, 2002, at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world. His music is characterized by its emotional depth, its technical virtuosity, and its ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.

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