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James E. Spilman was an American composer and pianist who was born on December 22, 1926, in the city of Louisville, Kentucky. He was the son of a Baptist minister and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a pianist and his father played the violin. Spilman began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Spilman attended the University of Louisville where he studied music composition and piano performance. He also studied with the renowned composer and pianist, Aaron Copland, at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. Copland was a major influence on Spilman's music and he often incorporated elements of Copland's style into his own compositions. After completing his studies, Spilman began his career as a composer and pianist. He performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and his compositions were performed by major orchestras and ensembles. He was also a professor of music at the University of Louisville, where he taught composition and piano performance. Spilman's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and use of folk and jazz elements. He often drew inspiration from the music of his native Kentucky and incorporated elements of Appalachian folk music into his compositions. His music is also influenced by jazz, and he often used improvisation and syncopated rhythms in his works. One of Spilman's most famous works is his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the Louisville Orchestra in 1957. The concerto is a virtuosic work that showcases Spilman's skills as a pianist and composer. It is characterized by its lush harmonies, lyrical melodies, and use of jazz elements. The concerto has been performed by many major orchestras and is considered one of Spilman's most important works. Another notable work by Spilman is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Louisville Orchestra in 1960. The symphony is a large-scale work that is characterized by its sweeping melodies, rich harmonies, and use of folk elements. The symphony has been performed by many major orchestras and is considered one of Spilman's most important works. Spilman also wrote many works for solo piano, including his Sonata for Piano, which was premiered by the composer himself in 1952. The sonata is a virtuosic work that showcases Spilman's skills as a pianist and composer. It is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and use of jazz elements. In addition to his compositions, Spilman was also a respected pianist. He often performed his own works and was known for his virtuosic playing and expressive interpretations. He also performed the works of other composers, including Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy. Spilman received many awards and honors throughout his career. He was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts grant. He was also inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2003. James E. Spilman passed away on December 31, 2013, at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy of beautiful and innovative music that continues to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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