Ben Johnston

Full biography Ben Johnston

Benjamin Burwell Johnston Jr ). was an American contemporary music composer ), born on March 15, 1926, and passed away on July 21, 2019, at the age of 93. He was widely known for his unique use of just intonation in his compositions. Johnston started his musical career as a jazz musician and later became interested in contemporary classical music. He studied at the University of Illinois, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees before completing his studies at Yale University.

Throughout his career, Johnston focused on exploring the microtonal possibilities of music. His works are often highly complex and use unconventional tuning systems, creating melodies that stretch the boundary of traditional Western tonality. Johnston's most notable works include his ten string quartets, the last of which he completed at the age of 80.

Johnston was also known as a theorist, author, and academician, having written several influential books on music theory, including "Maximum Clarity" and "The Extent of the Literal." He received numerous awards for his contribution to contemporary music, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship.

Despite his significant contributions to contemporary music, Johnston's music remained largely overlooked until later in his life, and he remained a relatively obscure figure to the broader public. However, his music continues to inspire and influence a new generation of composers and musicians.