Short bio Benjamin Lees
Full biography Benjamin Lees
Benjamin Lees was an American composer of classical music , born on January 8, 1924, and died on May 31, 2010. He was known for his versatility in writing for symphony orchestra, solo instruments, voice, and chamber ensembles. Lees came to prominence in the 1950s and received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Lees' music was known for effectively blending classical ideals with modern tonality. His five Etudes for Piano and Orchestra, which alternated between neo-classicism and tonality, were highly acclaimed, and he is also known for his Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles," which was described as moving by the New York Times.
Benjamin Lees wrote the Concerto in 1966, which was written for Gary Graffman, and he had worked with him two years prior on the Fourth Piano Sonata. He was one of the most important American composers of his time, and he made a significant contribution to the classical music world.
Compositions featuring Benjamin Lees
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visage, for piano | 5:03 min | Keyboard | 2009 |
| 2 | String Quartet No. 6 | 19:46 min | Chamber Music | 2005 |
| 3 | String Quartet No. 5 | 25:58 min | Chamber Music | 2002 |
| 4 | Piano Trio No. 2 ("Silent Voices") | 14:36 min | Chamber Music | 1998 |
| 5 | Concerto for horn & orchestra | 24:21 min | Concerto | 1991 |
| 6 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 | 18:33 min | Chamber Music | 1989 |
| 7 | Symphony No. 5 ("Kalmar Nyckel") | 28:24 min | Symphony | 1986 |
| 8 | Odyssey II, for piano | 11:05 min | Keyboard | 1986 |
| 9 | Symphony No. 4 ("Memorial Candles") | 61:40 min | Symphony | 1985 |
| 10 | Passacaglia for orchestra | 11:35 min | Orchestral | 1976 |
| 11 | Etudes for Piano and Orchestra | 19:33 min | Orchestral | 1974 |
| 12 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 2 | 19:43 min | Chamber Music | 1973 |
| 13 | Odysseys (3), for piano | 30:37 min | Keyboard | 1971 |
| 14 | Invenzione for solo violin | 11:09 min | Chamber Music | 1965 |
| 15 | Concerto for string quartet & orchestra | 20:54 min | Orchestral | 1964 |
| 16 | Three Preludes, for piano | 9:26 min | Keyboard | 1962 |
| 17 | Prologue, Capriccio and Epilogue for orchestra | 12:05 min | Orchestral | 1959 |
| 18 | Violin Concerto | 25:27 min | Concerto | 1958 |
| 19 | Symphony No. 2 | 26:09 min | Symphony | 1958 |
| 20 | Six Ornamental Etudes, for piano | 16:16 min | Keyboard | 1957 |
| 21 | Sonata Breve, for piano | 12:56 min | Keyboard | 1957 |
| 22 | Fantasia for piano in E minor | 6:17 min | Keyboard | 1954 |
| 23 | Piano Sonata No. 4 | 25:23 min | Keyboard | 1953 |
| 24 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 1 | 21:52 min | Chamber Music | 1953 |
| 25 | String Quartet No. 1 | 16:03 min | Chamber Music | 1952 |
| 26 | Toccata, for piano | 2:16 min | Keyboard | 1947 |
| 27 | Piano Concerto No. 1 | 26:06 min | Concerto | - |
| 28 | Odyssey I, for piano | 8:58 min | Keyboard | - |
| 29 | Symphony No. 3 | 28:29 min | Symphony | - |
| 30 | Mirrors in Six Sections | 17:40 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 31 | Fantasy Variations | 21:34 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 32 | Piano Concerto No. 2 | 27:32 min | Concerto | - |
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