Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

April 2, 1945 in New York City, NY

Death

:

July 1, 2022 in Oakland, CA

Period

:

Romantic

 

Richard Taruskin is a renowned musicologist, critic, and performer who has made significant contributions to the field of classical music. Born on April 2, 1945, in New York City, Taruskin grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a violinist, and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their son to pursue his passion for music. Taruskin began his musical education at the Mannes College of Music in New York, where he studied composition with Hugo Weisgall and conducting with Carl Bamberger. He later went on to earn his Ph.D. in historical musicology from Columbia University, where he studied with Paul Henry Lang and Denis Stevens. Throughout his career, Taruskin has been a prolific writer and scholar, publishing numerous articles and books on music history, theory, and criticism. He is perhaps best known for his five-volume work, "The Oxford History of Western Music," which provides a comprehensive overview of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present day. In addition to his scholarly work, Taruskin is also an accomplished performer. He has conducted numerous orchestras and choirs, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony. He has also performed as a singer and instrumentalist, specializing in early music and contemporary music. One of Taruskin's most significant contributions to the field of musicology has been his critique of the traditional narrative of Western music history. In his writings, Taruskin has challenged the idea that Western music has evolved in a linear, progressive manner, arguing instead that it has been shaped by a complex interplay of cultural, social, and political factors. Taruskin's work has been widely recognized and honored by the music community. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship, the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award, and the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Award. He has also been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. Despite his many accomplishments, Taruskin remains committed to his work as a scholar and performer. He continues to write and publish on a wide range of topics in musicology, and he remains an active performer and conductor. His contributions to the field of classical music have been significant and enduring, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the field today.

More....