6/05/2013

For Many A Celebrated Music Composer Nyc Was The Favorite Location To Develop Their Career In Music

By Lora Jones


Over the years for many a famed composer nyc has been the source of stimulation, artists and fantastic locations that complemented their creativity. Examining this area of the arts is a source of much pleasure not only for the enthusiast but all music lovers.

New York represents the source of a number of wide-ranging musical genres. Consider punk rock, salsa, disco, and hip hop that all had their origin there. Whilst they did not originate in the city, blues, jazz and rock have all found their homes here and attract a huge number of supporters.

Many believe that it is the presence of so many different and vibrant cultures that is the cause of this massive and successful mix of music styles. Another very important influence on the arts is the flourishing world of classical music, opera and ballet, yet another three styles.

It is difficult and perhaps unfair to single out a few from the vast number of accomplished composers. Some do seem to linger in the memory. One such major contributor is Leonard Bernstein. Having worked with both the NYC Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras he had the added talent of being a highly skilled conductor. His noteworthy classical compositions comprise the Serenade for violin, strings and percussion and Prelude, Fugue and Riffs for solo clarinet and jazz ensemble. It is not unlikely though that his most remembered work will be his collaborative effort on the box office hit West Side Story.

With his iconic song Blowin in the Wind and his own brand of protest music style, Bob Dylan is also one of the favoured sons of New York. He was born in Minnesota and only moved to the city in 1960. His compositions spoke about his opposition to the US being involved in armed conflicts abroad as well as trying to expose inequalities within society at home.

Among those who were actually born in NYC and grew up to work there are George Gershwin who wrote the unforgettable melodies Rhapsody in Blue and Summertime. Incredibly Gershwin dropped out of school at age fifteen and started playing professionally in nightclubs around the Tin Pan Alley district. Sadly this great musical talent died of a brain tumour at the young age of thirty eight.

An equally well know born and bred New Yorker was Aaron Copland. Not only a giant amongst composers, Copland was also a teacher, writer and went on in his later career to conduct many orchestras performing his own works. His style of music was perceived to be more accessible to the American public and was actually labelled as a Populist. Works for which proved to become extremely popular included Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid and Rodeo.

As it happened for so many a composer nyc became the place to be. A place that was either the birthplace of music legends or a irresistible attraction to others. Lesser know today is William Schuman. He desperately wanted to become a base ball player, but eventually followed his other passion for music. An astounding composer he produced eight symphonies and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The list of greatness has continued to grow over the years and names like John Lennon and Billy Joel have now joined this hall of fame.




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