Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

October 3, 1936 in Lincoln, NE

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Walter Ross was an American composer and educator who was born on August 22, 1936, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Ross began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City and went on to study at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Ross served in the United States Army as a musician in the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra. He then returned to New York City and worked as a freelance composer and arranger. In 1965, he moved to California and began teaching at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He later served as the chair of the music department at UCLA from 1985 to 1991. Throughout his career, Ross composed music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and music for film and television. His compositions have been performed by major orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Ross's most notable works is his Symphony No. 2, which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and premiered in 1989. The symphony is a large-scale work that features a wide range of musical styles and influences, including jazz, blues, and Latin American music. It has been praised for its inventive orchestration and rhythmic vitality. Another significant work by Ross is his String Quartet No. 3, which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet and premiered in 1991. The quartet is a complex and challenging work that explores a wide range of textures and timbres. It has been praised for its innovative use of extended techniques and its ability to create a wide range of moods and emotions. In addition to his work as a composer, Ross was also a dedicated educator. He taught at UCLA for over 30 years and was known for his commitment to mentoring young composers and performers. He was also a frequent guest lecturer and conductor at universities and music festivals around the world. Ross received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Fulbright Fellowship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Walter Ross passed away on May 12, 2019, at the age of 82. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential music, as well as a commitment to education and mentorship that inspired generations of young musicians.

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