George Templeton Strong, born in 1856 and passing away in 1948, was an American composer whose life spanned from the post-Civil War era well into the 20th century. Despite not being a household name in the roster of American composers, Strong's contribution to classical music showcases an intriguing blend of late Romanticism with idiosyncratic American and European traditions.

His compositions often draw on literary and pictorial inspiration, which is evident in the titles of his works such as the "Suite No. 3: 'Le Livre d’Images'" with movements conjuring up imaginative scenes like "Oriental Procession" and "Cinderella's Dreams." Strong also demonstrated his abilities in chamber music with pieces like the "Sonate pour alto et violoncelle," showcasing his skill in writing for intimate ensembles. His work "Roi Arthur (Le) / Die Nacht" and "Symphony No. 2, 'Sintram'" highlight his ventures into programmatic symphonic writing, with the latter being inspired by the eponymous novel by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. Strong spent much of his professional life in Europe, particularly Switzerland, which influenced the cosmopolitan character of his music. His style, richly harmonic and often pictorial, makes him a notably interesting composer of his time, worthy of study for those interested in the development of American classical music.

Genres

American Romanticism

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Latest Release

George Templeton Strong

George Templeton Strong

Album - 12 Tracks - Released March 17, 2024