Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

October 20, 1923 in Kingston, NY

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Robert Craft was an American conductor, musicologist, and writer who was born on October 20, 1923, in Kingston, New York. He was known for his close association with the composer Igor Stravinsky, with whom he worked for over 20 years. Craft was also a prolific writer, having authored several books on music and musicians. Craft's interest in music began at an early age, and he started playing the piano when he was just five years old. He later studied music at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he was a student of the composer Aaron Copland. After completing his studies, Craft worked as a conductor and music director for various orchestras in the United States. In 1948, Craft met Igor Stravinsky, who was then living in Hollywood. The two men struck up a friendship, and Craft became Stravinsky's assistant and close collaborator. Over the next two decades, Craft worked closely with Stravinsky on many of his compositions, including the opera The Rake's Progress and the ballet Agon. Craft's association with Stravinsky led to many high-profile performances and recordings. In 1957, he conducted the premiere of Stravinsky's opera Agon at the New York City Ballet. He also conducted the first recording of Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements, which was released in 1959. Craft's work with Stravinsky earned him many accolades and awards. In 1962, he was awarded the Order of Merit by the French government for his contributions to French music. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the City of Paris in 1972. In addition to his work with Stravinsky, Craft was also a respected musicologist and writer. He authored several books on music, including his memoirs, An Improbable Life, which was published in 2002. He also wrote extensively on the music of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. Craft's legacy in the world of classical music is significant. His close association with Stravinsky helped to bring the composer's music to a wider audience, and his work as a conductor and musicologist helped to shape the way that many people think about and appreciate classical music. Today, Craft is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of 20th-century classical music.

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