William Axt
William Axt ( born April 19, 1888 in New York City, New York, † February 13, 1959 in Ukiah, California ) was an American composer.
Life
After ax graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx studied at the National Conservatory of Music of America music. After his successful graduation in 1922 at the University of Chicago for the Doctor of Musical Arts, he was henceforth known by the nickname Dr. Billy. After working as an assistant at the Hammerstein Grand Opera Company, he became music director at the Capitol Theater in Manhattan.
From 1919 he worked for Metro -Goldwyn- Mayer and edited and composed film music for over 200 films. Together with Erno Rapée he wrote an important collection of film illustration music, including pieces such as a series of three Agitatos, Appassionato No. 1, Debutante, Frozen North, screening Preludes no. 1 and 2, and tender memories. Even with David Mendoza, he worked in New York City and wrote with him soundtracks for films such as The Big Parade and Ben -Hur.