Composers Datebook®

Zwilich anniversaries

Synopsis

Today is the birthday anniversary of the American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, born on this date in Miami in 1939. As a young musician in Florida, Zwilich studied violin and composition, and eventually moved to New York, where she continued her composition studies at the Juilliard School and played violin in the American Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski.

In 1975, she was the first woman to earn a Doctorate in Music degree at Juilliard, and, in 1983, was the first woman to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music. The Pulitzer was for this music, her Symphony No. 1.

Zwilich has also composed a number of successful solo concertos, for flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, piano, and violin. On today's date in 1991, her 52nd birthday, THIS concerto was premiered by the Chicago Symphony under Daniel Barenboim, a piece which showcased an instrument often overlooked by composers: the bass trombone. The concerto was written for Charles Vernon, bass trombonist in the Chicago Symphony's famous brass section.

Zwilich explains, "The work is almost like an orchestral tone poem with the solo trombone being first among many characters. Throughout the ages there have been great instrumental virtuosos who have opened up new vistas for composers… Charlie Vernon's remarkable virtuosity on the bass trombone opens up a whole new approach to the instrument."

Music Played in Today's Program

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b. 1939) Symphony No. 1 Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; John Nelson, cond. New World 336

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (b. 1939) Bass Trombone Concerto Charles Vernon, Bass Trombone; MSU Symphony; Leon Gregorian, cond. Koch 7487

On This Day

Births

  • 1870 - Hungarian-born Austrian composer Franz Léhar, in Komorn;

  • 1939 - American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, in Miami, Fla.; She was the first female composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (in 1983 for her Symphony No. 1);

Premieres

  • 1728 - Handel: opera "Tolomeo, re d'Egitto" (Ptolomy, King of Egypt), in London at the King's Theater in the Haymarket (Gregorian date: May 11);

  • 1855 - Berlioz: "Te Deum," at the church of St. Eustache in Paris;

  • 1902 - Debussy: opera "Pelléas and Mélisande," in Paris at the Opéra-Comique;

  • 1925 - Hindemith: "Kammermusik" No. 3, Op. 36, no. 2, in Bochum, Germany, conducted by the composer with Rudolf Hindemith the cello soloist;

  • 1934 - Stravinsky: opera "Persephone," at the Paris Opéra, with Ida Rubinsetin in the principal role (spoken part) and the composer conducting;

  • 1973 - Lou Harrison: Concerto for Organ, at San Jose State University, with organist Philip Simpson;

  • 1991 - Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Bass Trombone Concerto, by soloist Charles Vernon with the Chicago Symphony, Daniel Barenboim conducting;

  • 1994 - John Harbison: String Quartet No. 3, at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., by the Lydian String Quartet;

Others

  • 1932 - Opening of the first "Yaddo" Festival of Contemporary Music at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Biblical Torke

Michael Torke (b. 1961): ‘Song of Isaiah’; Present Music; innova 590

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Anthony Braxton's operas

Anthony Braxton (b. 1945): excerpt from Act 2 of ‘Trillium J’; soloists and ensemble; Anthony Braxton, conductor; New Braxton House 906

1:59
YourClassical

'King's Row,' Korngold and 'Star Wars'

Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957): ‘Main Title,’ from ‘King’s Row’; National Philharmonic; Charles Gerhardt, conductor; RCA LSC-3330 (LP) & 7890-2-RG (CD)

1:58
YourClassical

Holst and Hammersmith

Gustav Holst (1874-1934): ‘Hammersmith’; Dallas Wind Symphony; Howard Dunn, conductor; Reference Recordings 39

2:00
YourClassical

Persichetti and Leon for band

Vincent Pershichetti (1915-1987): Symphony No. 6 (‘Symphony for Band’); Eastman Wind Ensemble; Frederick Fennell, conductor; Mercury 432 754 Tania Leon (b. 1943): ‘Alegre’; American Composers Forum Bandquest CD-ROM; Hal Leonard

2:00
YourClassical

Handel's famous 'Largo'

George Frederic Handel (1685-1759): ‘Largo,’ from ‘Xerxes’; Boston Pops; Arthur Fiedler, conductor; BMG 62698

2:00
YourClassical

Delibes on stage and TV

Léo Delibes (1836-1891): ‘Flower Duet,’ from ‘Lakmé’; BBC Concert Orchestra; Barry Wordsworth, conductor; London 473 371 Léo Delibes: ‘Flower Duet,’ from ‘Lakmé’; Natalie Dessay and Delphine Haidan, sopranos; Toulouse Capitole Orchestra; Michel Plasson, conductor; EMI 67830

2:00
YourClassical

Gould at West Point

Morton Gould (1913-1996): ‘West Point Symphony’ (‘Symphony for Band’); Eastman Wind Ensemble; Frederick Fennell, conductor; Mercury 434 320

2:00
YourClassical

Henri Lazarof

Henri Lazarof (1932-2013): Violin Concerto; Yukiko Kamei, violin; Seattle Symphony; Gerard Schwarz, conductor; Naxos 8.559159

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00