Michael L.Geller

Full biography Michael L.Geller

Michael L. Geller (1937-2007) was a Russian-American viola player and composer , known for his contributions to 20th and 21st-century classical music. He was born in Moscow, Russia and immigrated to the United States in 1977. Geller studied composition with Chou Wen-Chung and Mario Davidovsky at Columbia University and with György Ligeti at the Hochschule für Musik in Hamburg, Germany.

Geller was an accomplished violist and was a member of the Moscow Philharmonic and the ensemble Musica Aeterna in Moscow. He founded and led the Kiev Chamber Orchestra and was the conductor of the All-Union Radio Orchestra in Moscow.

As a composer, Geller wrote for a variety of ensembles and genres, including orchestral, chamber, and vocal music. His music has been performed by many renowned groups, such as the New York Philharmonic, the American Composers Orchestra, and the Moscow Philharmonic. Geller wrote in a modernist style, drawing inspiration from Bartók, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich, and incorporating elements of jazz and traditional folk music.

In addition to his work as a composer and violist, Geller was a professor of music at the State University of New York at Purchase and the Manhattan School of Music. He was also a lecturer and writer on music, and his articles appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, The Musical Quarterly, and Musician.

Overall, Michael L. Geller made significant contributions to the world of classical music as both a composer and performer. His work continues to be performed and studied by musicians and music enthusiasts alike.