Vincent Persichetti
Vincent Ludwig Persichetti ( born June 6, 1915 in Philadelphia, † 14 August 1987 in Philadelphia ) was an American composer, music teacher and conductor.
The age of five he began piano lessons. A little later he learned organ, double bass and tuba, as well as music theory and composition. At age eleven, he took advantage of it to improve his own musical education and play. At age 16, he became organist and choirmaster of the Arch Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, and held this position for about 20 years. He attended Combs College of Music and studied there with Russel King Miller composition. At the age of 20 years, he was simultaneously and side by side head of the class in music theory and composition at the Combs College of Music, he studied conducting with Fritz Reiner at the Curtis Institute of Music and piano with Olga Samaroff - Stokowski at the Philadelphia Conservatory. In addition, he completed his studies in composition with Paul Nurdoff and Roy Harris.
From 1941 to 1947 Professor was at the Philadelphia Conservatory and headed the composition. In 1947 he joined the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, whose compositional department he headed from 1963. As a visiting professor, he worked at universities in the UK and Japan.
He is considered a great organ player and improviser. He created nine organ works as well as 9 harpsichord works. His compositions as well as his music, literary works found worldwide attention. His compositions have been provided with numerous national and international prizes and awards.