Role

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Composer

Genre

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Orchestral

 

John F. Stratton was a classical music composer who was born on May 12, 1925, in New York City. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a pianist and his mother was a singer, and they both encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Stratton began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and composition with his father. He later attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and piano with Rosina Lhévinne. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Stratton began his career as a composer. He wrote music for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and solo instruments. His early works were influenced by the neoclassical style of composers like Stravinsky and Hindemith, but he later developed his own unique voice. One of Stratton's early successes was his Piano Concerto, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1952. The piece was well-received by critics and established Stratton as a promising young composer. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Stratton continued to write music for a variety of ensembles. He was particularly interested in writing for the human voice, and he composed several works for choir and solo voice. One of his most famous vocal works is his setting of the poem "The Tyger" by William Blake, which has been performed by choirs around the world. In the 1970s, Stratton began to incorporate electronic music into his compositions. He was fascinated by the possibilities of using technology to create new sounds and textures, and he wrote several pieces that combined acoustic and electronic elements. One of his most famous electronic works is his piece "Computer Music," which was composed in 1975. Stratton's music was known for its complexity and sophistication. He was a master of counterpoint and often used intricate rhythms and harmonies in his compositions. His music was also known for its emotional depth and expressive power. In addition to his work as a composer, Stratton was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Michigan and the University of California, Los Angeles. He was known for his rigorous teaching style and his ability to inspire his students to reach their full potential. Stratton continued to compose music throughout his life, and his later works were often more experimental and avant-garde. He was particularly interested in exploring the boundaries between different genres of music, and he wrote several pieces that combined classical music with jazz, rock, and other styles. Some of Stratton's most famous works include his Piano Concerto, his setting of "The Tyger," and his electronic piece "Computer Music." He also wrote several operas, including "The Tempest" and "The Glass Menagerie." Stratton's music has been performed by some of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was widely regarded as one of the most important American composers of the 20th century. John F. Stratton died on June 15, 2001, at the age of 76. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential music that continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

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