Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1879 in Rockford, IL

Death

:

May 5, 1953 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Frank La Forge was an American composer, pianist, and arranger who was born on May 5, 1879, in New York City. He was the son of a prominent lawyer and a mother who was a talented amateur pianist. La Forge showed an early interest in music and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. He later studied at the New York College of Music and the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School). La Forge's early career was focused on performing as a pianist and accompanist. He played in various venues in New York City, including Carnegie Hall, and toured throughout the United States and Europe. He also worked as a staff pianist for the Victor Talking Machine Company, where he accompanied many famous singers of the day, including Enrico Caruso. In addition to his work as a performer, La Forge was also an accomplished composer and arranger. He wrote music for a variety of genres, including classical, popular, and jazz. His compositions were often characterized by their lyrical melodies and lush harmonies. One of La Forge's most famous works is his Piano Concerto in F-sharp minor, which he composed in 1919. The concerto was premiered by the New York Symphony Orchestra, with La Forge as the soloist. The piece was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it remains one of La Forge's most popular works. La Forge also wrote a number of other orchestral works, including a symphony, a suite for orchestra, and several tone poems. His music was often inspired by nature and the outdoors, and he was particularly fond of incorporating bird songs and other natural sounds into his compositions. In addition to his orchestral works, La Forge also wrote a number of chamber music pieces, including sonatas for violin and piano, cello and piano, and flute and piano. He also wrote a number of songs, many of which were popular during his lifetime. La Forge was also an accomplished arranger, and he wrote arrangements for a number of famous singers and bands, including Bing Crosby, Paul Whiteman, and the Dorsey Brothers. He was particularly skilled at arranging popular songs in a classical style, and his arrangements were often used in films and on radio broadcasts. Despite his success as a composer and arranger, La Forge's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1953. He died of a heart attack at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

More....