Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 24, 1881 in Johnston, PA

Death

:

December 30, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Charles Wakefield Cadman was an American composer, pianist, and music critic who was born on December 24, 1881, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John Cadman, a Methodist minister, and his wife, Mary Wakefield Cadman. Charles showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He was also a talented singer and performed in his father's church choir. Cadman's family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical studies there. He studied piano with Wilhelm Middelschulte and composition with Max Wolpert. He also attended the Chicago Musical College and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. In 1908, Cadman moved to New York City to pursue a career as a composer. He quickly established himself as a leading figure in the American classical music scene. He was a prolific composer, and his works were performed by some of the most prominent orchestras and conductors of the time. Cadman's music was heavily influenced by Native American music, which he had heard during his travels in the American West. He incorporated elements of Native American melodies and rhythms into his compositions, creating a unique and distinctly American sound. One of Cadman's most famous works is his opera "Shanewis," which premiered in 1918. The opera tells the story of a Native American woman who becomes a successful opera singer. The opera was a critical and commercial success and helped to establish Cadman as one of the leading American composers of his time. Cadman also wrote a number of other operas, including "The Sunset Trail," "The Robin Woman," and "Nadirah." He also composed orchestral works, chamber music, and songs. Some of his most famous works include "From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water," "At Dawning," and "Four American Indian Songs." In addition to his work as a composer, Cadman was also a music critic. He wrote for a number of publications, including the New York Evening Post and the Musical Courier. He was a strong advocate for American classical music and worked to promote the works of other American composers. Cadman was also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He taught at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School) in New York City. He was known for his generosity and kindness to his students, many of whom went on to have successful careers in music. Cadman's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1946. He died of a heart attack at the age of 64. Despite his relatively short career, Cadman left a lasting legacy in American classical music. His unique blend of Native American and European musical traditions helped to create a distinctly American sound that continues to influence composers today.

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