Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 18, 1907 in Atlanta, GA

Death

:

November 12, 1978 in New York City, NY

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Howard Swanson was an American composer who was born on August 18, 1907, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the youngest of three children born to his parents, who were both musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their children to pursue music. Swanson began studying piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He later studied composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Eastman School of Music. While at Eastman, he studied with the renowned composer Howard Hanson, who had a significant influence on Swanson's musical style. After completing his studies, Swanson moved to New York City, where he worked as a freelance composer and arranger. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer and was commissioned to write music for a variety of projects, including ballets, operas, and films. One of Swanson's most significant works is his opera "The Trial at Rouen," which premiered in 1955. The opera tells the story of Joan of Arc and her trial and execution in Rouen, France. The opera was well-received by critics and helped establish Swanson as a major composer. Swanson also wrote a number of works for orchestra, including his "Symphony No. 2," which premiered in 1957. The symphony is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Swanson's skill as a composer. In addition to his classical compositions, Swanson also wrote music for films and television. He worked on a number of documentaries and educational films, as well as popular television shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits." Despite his success as a composer, Swanson struggled with health issues throughout his life. He suffered from a heart condition and was forced to take a break from composing in the 1960s due to his health. However, he continued to write music and remained active in the music community until his death in 1978. Today, Swanson is remembered as one of the most important American composers of the 20th century. His music is known for its emotional depth and powerful themes, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary composers.

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