William Schuman stands as a pivotal figure in 20th-century American music. Born on August 4, 1910, in New York City, he carved a noteworthy legacy both as a composer and influential music administrator. His deep engagement with the symphonic tradition led him to craft ten symphonies, among various other orchestral, choral, and chamber works, which established him not only as a prolific composer but also as a distinguished voice in crafting a distinctly American classical sound.

Schuman's compositions often narrate the saga of the American experience, blending a modernist idiom with the spirit of folk and popular melodies. His work “New England Triptych,” for instance, ingeniously refashions themes by the early American composer William Billings into a stirring orchestral suite that resonates with mid-century American audiences' search for cultural roots. Schuman also notably contributed to the choral repertoire with pieces like "Carols of Death," based on the poems of Walt Whitman. His long career was punctuated by numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1943 for his cantata "A Free Song." Beyond composition, Schuman's leadership at The Juilliard School and later as the first president of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts showcased his commitment to the enduring vitality of American music and arts education. William Schuman passed away on February 15, 1992, leaving a legacy that has inspired generations of musicians and composers.

Genres

American Modern Classical

Concert Band

Early Modern Classical

Latest Release

Bernstein: Chichester Psalms - Copland: In the Beginning

Choir of King's College, Cambridge•

Aaron Copland•

Leonard Bernstein•

Stephen Cleobury•

William Schuman

Album - 9 Tracks - Released November 25, 2022