George Walker

Full biography George Walker

George Walker was an American composer, pianist, and organist who was born on June 27, 1922, and passed away on August 23, 2018. He was the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996 ). He was known for his contributions to classical music during the 20th century, particularly for his musical compositions that were often inspired by his own life experiences.

Walker started his musical career by studying piano at the age of five, and by the age of 14, he had composed his first piano sonata. He was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition and piano. While at the institute, he became the first African American to win the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's concerto competition ), and he later became the first African American to graduate with a doctoral degree from the institute.

Throughout his career, Walker composed nearly 100 pieces of music, ranging from symphonies and concertos to song cycles and solo piano works. He wrote most extensively for stringed instruments, including the Violin Concerto and Cello Concerto, sonatas for cello , violin, and viola, and his first string quartet that was written a year after his graduation.

In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Walker also received numerous other awards, including two Guggenheim Fellowships, the Friedheim Award for Orchestral Music, and the American Music Center's Letter of Distinction. He is often celebrated for his ability to overcome cultural prejudice as a Black composer and for his contributions to American classical music.

In conclusion, George Walker was a highly accomplished American composer who made significant contributions to classical music during the 20th century. He was the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996 and was known for his works inspired by his life experiences. His music continues to be celebrated today and is a testament to his incredible talent and influence on the classical music world.