Short bio Vincent Persichetti
Birthday:
1915 in Philadelphia, PA
Died:
1987 in Philadelphia, PA
Active:
1930s - 1980s
Genre:
Classical
Period:
20th Century, Modern
Full biography Vincent Persichetti
Vincent Persichetti was an American composer, pianist, and educator born on June 6, 1915 in Philadelphia and passed away on August 14, 1987 in the same city. He is regarded as one of the most significant composers of 20th century America due to his wide-ranging compositional style and his influential educational work in the field of music.
Persichetti began studying piano at a young age and later attended the Combs College of Music in Philadelphia. He continued his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied composition with renowned composer Rosario Scalero and piano with Olga Samaroff. After graduating from the institute in 1941, he joined the faculty there and taught composition and theory until 1961.
As a composer, Persichetti is best known for his extensive output of orchestral works, chamber music, and piano music. His music is marked by a unique harmonic language and a sophisticated contrapuntal style that blends elements of modernism with traditional forms and techniques. He composed nine symphonies, more than a dozen sonatas for piano, numerous works for choir, and many other pieces that demonstrate his versatility as a composer.
Persichetti was also a respected musical educator, and he wrote several influential textbooks on music theory and composition that are still used in classrooms today. He taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center.
Overall, Vincent Persichetti was a significant figure in 20th century American music, and his contributions to the field of music as a composer and educator continue to influence musicians today.
Compositions featuring Vincent Persichetti
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Give Peace, O God, hymn for chorus & organ (tune: Peace, No. 41 from Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, Vol. 2, Op. 166) | 0:50 min | Choral | 1987 |
| 2 | Harpsichord Sonata No. 8, Op. 158 | 11:07 min | Keyboard | 1987 |
| 3 | Harpsichord Sonata No. 9, Op. 163 | 14:39 min | Keyboard | 1987 |
| 4 | Give Peace, O God, chorale prelude for organ, Op. 162 | 11:10 min | Keyboard | 1985 |
| 5 | Flower Songs (Cantata No. 6), for mixed chorus & string orchestra , Op. 157 | 19:18 min | Choral | 1983 |
| 6 | Parable XXV for 2 trumpets, Op. 164 | 8:09 min | Chamber Music | 1982 |
| 7 | Parable XXII for tuba solo, Op 147 | 10:40 min | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| 8 | Dryden Liturgical Suite, for organ, Op. 144 | 19:33 min | Keyboard | 1980 |
| 9 | Piano Sonata No. 12, Op. 145 | 11:41 min | Keyboard | 1980 |
| 10 | Toccatinas (3), for piano, Op. 142 | 5:53 min | Keyboard | 1979 |
| 11 | Auden Variations, for organ, Op. 136 | 26:18 min | Keyboard | 1977 |
| 12 | Concerto for English horn & string orchestra, Op. 137 | 23:52 min | Concerto | 1977 |
| 13 | Do Not Go Gentle, for organ pedals, Op. 132 | 12:09 min | Keyboard | 1974 |
| 14 | Parable XIII for solo clarinet, Op 126 | 5:36 min | Chamber Music | 1974 |
| 15 | Parable XVI for viola solo, Op. 130 | 7:53 min | Chamber Music | 1974 |
| 16 | Parable XVII for solo double bass, Op. 131 | Chamber Music | 1974 | |
| 17 | Parable XIV for solo trumpet, Op. 127 | 4:34 min | Chamber Music | 1973 |
| 18 | Parable, for English horn (Parable XV, Op 128) | 3:17 min | Chamber Music | 1973 |
| 19 | Parable VIII for horn solo, Op 120 | 7:05 min | Chamber Music | 1972 |
| 20 | Parable XI for alto saxophone solo, Op 123 | 5:33 min | Chamber Music | 1972 |
| 21 | String Quartet No. 4, Op. 122 'Parable X' | 23:45 min | Chamber Music | 1972 |
| 22 | Parable III for oboe solo, Op 109 | 5:03 min | Chamber Music | 1971 |
| 23 | Parable VI, for organ, Op. 117 | 16:38 min | Keyboard | 1971 |
| 24 | A Net of Fireflies, song cycle for voice & piano, Op. 115 | 16:30 min | Vocal Music | 1970 |
| 25 | Night Dances for orchestra, Op 114 | 21:58 min | Orchestral | 1970 |
| 26 | Parable IV for bassoon solo, Op 110 | 5:37 min | Chamber Music | 1969 |
| 27 | Parable II for brass quintet, Op 108 | 14:02 min | Chamber Music | 1968 |
| 28 | Symphony No. 8, Op. 106 | 28:42 min | Symphony | 1967 |
| 29 | Celebrations for chorus & wind ensemble | 1:36 min | Choral | 1966 |
| 30 | Introit for string orchestra, Op 96 | 3:34 min | Orchestral | 1965 |
| 31 | Parable, for solo flute | 6:48 min | Chamber Music | 1965 |
| 32 | Serenade for 2 clarinets No. 13, Op. 95 | 6:02 min | Chamber Music | 1963 |
| 33 | Concerto for piano & orchestra, Op 90 | 32:19 min | Concerto | 1962 |
| 34 | Bagatelles, for band | 5:53 min | Band Music | 1961 |
| 35 | Serenade No. 11, for Band, Op. 85 | 7:01 min | Band Music | 1961 |
| 36 | Infanta Marina for viola & piano, Op 83 | 10:15 min | Chamber Music | 1960 |
| 37 | String Quartet No. 3, Op. 81 | 22:58 min | Chamber Music | 1959 |
| 38 | Symphony No. 7 ("Liturgical"), Op. 80 | 25:00 min | Symphony | 1958 |
| 39 | Vocalise for cello & piano | 1:56 min | Chamber Music | 1958 |
| 40 | Carl Sandburg Songs (2), for voice & piano, Op. 73 | 2:53 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 41 | Emily Dickinson Songs (4), for voice & piano, Op. 77 | 7:23 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 42 | Hilaire Belloc Songs (2), for voice & piano, Op. 75 | 3:42 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 43 | James Joyce Songs (3), for voice & piano, Op. 74 | 6:16 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 44 | Robert Frost Songs (2), for voice & piano (unpublished), Op. 76 | 2:03 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 45 | Sara Teasdale Songs (4), for voice & piano, Op. 72 | 6:27 min | Vocal Music | 1957 |
| 46 | Serenade No. 10 for flute & harp, Op. 79 | 11:11 min | Chamber Music | 1957 |
| 47 | Piano Sonata No. 11, Op. 101 | 17:21 min | Keyboard | 1956 |
| 48 | Drop, Drop Slow Tears, for chorus & organ (from Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, Vol. 1, Op. 68) | 0:54 min | Choral | 1955 |
| 49 | Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, for chorus, Op. 68 | 3:02 min | Choral | 1955 |
| 50 | Piano Sonata No. 10, Op. 67 | 22:09 min | Keyboard | 1955 |
| 51 | Symphony No. 6 ("For Band"), Op. 69 | 16:30 min | Symphony | 1955 |
| 52 | Little Piano Book, Op. 60 | 11:28 min | Keyboard | 1953 |
| 53 | Parades, for piano, Op. 57 | 2:38 min | Keyboard | 1952 |
| 54 | Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 58 | 9:59 min | Keyboard | 1952 |
| 55 | Serenade No. 7, for piano, Op. 55 | 7:09 min | Keyboard | 1952 |
| 56 | 17th Century English Songs (3), for voice & piano, Op. 49 | 5:17 min | Vocal Music | 1951 |
| 57 | Harmonium, song cycle for voice & piano, Op. 50 | 60:11 min | Vocal Music | 1951 |
| 58 | Harpsichord Sonata No. 1, Op. 52 | 10:40 min | Keyboard | 1951 |
| 59 | Sonatina to Hans Christian | 1:41 min | Keyboard | 1951 |
| 60 | Symphony No. 4, Op. 51 | 25:06 min | Symphony | 1951 |
| 61 | Divertimento, for band Op. 42 | 11:04 min | Band Music | 1950 |
| 62 | Piano Sonata No. 6, Op. 39 | 11:31 min | Keyboard | 1950 |
| 63 | Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 40 | 6:05 min | Keyboard | 1950 |
| 64 | Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 41 | 6:46 min | Keyboard | 1950 |
| 65 | Serenade No. 5 for orchestra, Op. 43 | 10:43 min | Orchestral | 1950 |
| 66 | Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 36 | 17:56 min | Keyboard | 1949 |
| 67 | Piano Sonata No. 5, Op. 37 | 8:52 min | Keyboard | 1949 |
| 68 | Sonatine for Pedals Alone, Op 11 | 4:58 min | Keyboard | 1949 |
| 69 | King Lear for woodwind quintet, timpani & piano | 20:48 min | Chamber Music | 1948 |
| 70 | The Hollow Men, for trumpet & string orchestra, Op. 25 | 8:04 min | Concerto | 1948 |
| 71 | Variations for an Album, for piano, Op. 32 | 3:05 min | Keyboard | 1947 |
| 72 | Symphony No. 3, Op. 30 | 29:36 min | Symphony | 1946 |
| 73 | Chinese Songs (2), for voice & piano, Op. 29 | 1:34 min | Vocal Music | 1945 |
| 74 | e. e. cummings Songs (2), for voice & piano (unpublished), Op. 26 | 3:25 min | Vocal Music | 1945 |
| 75 | String Quartet No. 2, Op. 24 | 16:20 min | Chamber Music | 1944 |
| 76 | Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 22 | 12:20 min | Keyboard | 1943 |
| 77 | Pastoral for wind quintet | 5:58 min | Chamber Music | 1942 |
| 78 | Serenade No.3 for violin, cello & piano, Op.17 | 11:04 min | Chamber Music | 1941 |
| 79 | Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 3 | 16:15 min | Keyboard | 1939 |
| 80 | Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 6 | 10:07 min | Keyboard | 1939 |
| 81 | String Quartet No. 1, Op. 7 | 13:35 min | Chamber Music | 1939 |
| 82 | Serenade for piano No. 2, Op. 2 | 2:15 min | Keyboard | 1929 |
| 83 | Serenade No. 1 for 10 wind instruments, Op. 1 | 7:33 min | Chamber Music | 1929 |
| 84 | A Lincoln Address, for orchestra, Op. 124 | 12:25 min | Orchestral | - |
| 85 | A Proverb, for soprano & choir | 2:23 min | Choral | - |
| 86 | Chamber music | Chamber Music | - | |
| 87 | Choral Prelude "O God Unseen", Op. 160 | 9:05 min | Choral | - |
| 88 | Concerto for piano 4 hands, Op. 56 | 20:54 min | Keyboard | - |
| 89 | Creator Spirit, for chorus & organ (tune: Foundations, No. 1 from Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, Vol. 1, Op. 68) | 0:45 min | Choral | - |
| 90 | Drop, Drop Slow Tears, chorale prelude for organ, Op. 104 | 6:48 min | Keyboard | - |
| 91 | Fanfare for 2 trumpets | 1:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 92 | Hymns and Responses for the Church Year | Chamber Music | - | |
| 93 | Love, for women's chorus | 2:54 min | Choral | - |
| 94 | Mascarade, Op 102 | 12:25 min | Band Music | - |
| 95 | Masquerade for a Band | 11:10 min | Band Music | - |
| 96 | Masques, for violin & piano, Op. 99 | 8:20 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 97 | Mass, for mixed chorus, Op 84 | 17:37 min | Choral | - |
| 98 | O Cool Is the Valley, Op 118 | 6:09 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 99 | Organ Sonata | 13:24 min | Keyboard | - |
| 100 | Organ Sonata, Op. 86 | 13:07 min | Keyboard | - |
| 101 | Our Father, Whose Creative Will, for chorus & organ (tune: Primal, No. 1 from Hymns and Responses for the Church Year, Vol. 1, Op. 68) | 0:57 min | Choral | - |
| 102 | Pageant for band, Op 59 | 7:40 min | Orchestral | - |
| 103 | Parable for Band (Poem for band), Op. 121 | 17:14 min | Band Music | - |
| 104 | Parable for Solo Piccolo, Op. 125 | 3:20 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 105 | Parable XVIII, for solo trombone, Op. 133 | 5:15 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 106 | Parable XXIII, Op 150 | Chamber Music | - | |
| 107 | Pastoral, Op 21 | 5:52 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 108 | Piano Sonatina No. 1, Op. 38 | 3:36 min | Keyboard | - |
| 109 | Piano Sonatina No. 2, Op. 45 | 4:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 110 | Piano Sonatina No. 3, Op. 47 | 3:10 min | Keyboard | - |
| 111 | Piano Sonatina No. 4, Op. 63 | 2:32 min | Keyboard | - |
| 112 | Piano Sonatina No. 5, Op. 64 | 2:01 min | Keyboard | - |
| 113 | Piano Sonatina No. 6, Op. 65 | 1:34 min | Keyboard | - |
| 114 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 1, Unroll the flicker's rousing drum | 1:04 min | Keyboard | - |
| 115 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 2, Soft is the collied night | 1:44 min | Keyboard | - |
| 116 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 3, Gather for festival bright weed and purple shell | 0:45 min | Keyboard | - |
| 117 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 4, Wake subtler dreams, and touch me nigh to tears | 1:39 min | Keyboard | - |
| 118 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 5, Ravished lute, sing to her virgin ears | 1:16 min | Keyboard | - |
| 119 | Poems for Piano Vol. 1, Op. 4: No. 6, Whose thin fraud I wink at privily | 0:59 min | Keyboard | - |
| 120 | Poems for Piano Vol. 2, Op. 5: No. 1, And warms winds spilled fragrance into her solitudes | 2:05 min | Keyboard | - |
| 121 | Poems for Piano Vol. 2, Op. 5: No. 2, To whose more clear than crystal voice - the frost had joined a crystal spell | 1:06 min | Keyboard | - |
| 122 | Poems for Piano Vol. 2, Op. 5: No. 3, Slepp, weary mind; dream, heart's desire | 1:30 min | Keyboard | - |
| 123 | Poems for Piano Vol. 2, Op. 5: No. 4, Dust in sunlight, and memory in corners | 1:40 min | Keyboard | - |
| 124 | Poems for Piano Vol. 2, Op. 5: No. 5, Make me drunken with deep red torrents of joy | 1:08 min | Keyboard | - |
| 125 | Poems for Piano Vol. 3, Op. 14: No. 1, Rear its frondings sighing in aetherial folds | 2:55 min | Keyboard | - |
| 126 | Poems for Piano Vol. 3, Op. 14: No. 2, Listen! Can you hear the antic melody of fear - those two anxious feet are playing? | 2:58 min | Keyboard | - |
| 127 | Poems for Piano Vol. 3, Op. 14: No. 3, Puffed out and marching upon a blue sky | 1:23 min | Keyboard | - |
| 128 | Poems for Piano Vol. 3, Op. 14: No. 4, And hunged like those top jewels of the night | 3:16 min | Keyboard | - |
| 129 | Poems for Piano Vol. 3, Op. 14: No. 5, Each gay dunce shall lend a hand | 2:30 min | Keyboard | - |
| 130 | Psalm for Band, Op. 53 | 8:25 min | Band Music | - |
| 131 | Serenade for harpsichord, No. 15, Op. 161 | 6:50 min | Keyboard | - |
| 132 | Serenade for piano 4 hands, No 8, Op 62 | 3:00 min | Keyboard | - |
| 133 | Serenade No. 4, for violin & piano, Op. 28 | 8:31 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 134 | Serenade No. 6 for trombone, viola & cello | 12:49 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 135 | Shimah B'Koli | 12:17 min | Keyboard | - |
| 136 | Sonata for 2 pianos, Op 13 | 11:03 min | Keyboard | - |
| 137 | Sonata for harpsichord No 3 | 9:56 min | Keyboard | - |
| 138 | Sonata for harpsichord No 5 | 11:54 min | Keyboard | - |
| 139 | Sonata for harpsichord No 7, Op 156 | 3:51 min | Keyboard | - |
| 140 | Sonata for solo violin, Op. 10 | 9:04 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 141 | Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 15 | 9:30 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 142 | Sonatas (8) for harpsichord, FS&H, Op 52 | Keyboard | - | |
| 143 | Song of Peace, for chorus & piano | 3:23 min | Choral | - |
| 144 | Symphonies | Symphony | - | |
| 145 | Symphony No. 5 ("Symphony for Strings"), Op. 61 | 18:59 min | Symphony | - |
| 146 | The Grass, for voice & piano | 1:58 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 147 | Wind Song, for violin & harp | 2:16 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 148 | Winter cantata (cantata No 2) Op 97 | 19:25 min | Choral | - |
| 149 | Winter Solstice, for piano, Op. 165 | 13:43 min | Keyboard | - |
| 150 | Work(s) for band | Band Music | - |
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