Short bio Will Ogdon
Full biography Will Ogdon
Will Ogdon was a prominent American composer, known for being the founding chair of UC San Diego's department of music. Born on December 1, 1920, in Portland, Oregon, he attended the University of Michigan where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music composition. Ogdon is considered a pioneer in the field of electronic music and helped to establish the foundation for this genre. He wrote many works that were notable for their use of unconventional instrumentation and experimentation with new techniques.
Ogdon was an active composer throughout his career, writing music in a wide range of genres. He wrote his last piece in 2008 , which was premiered at UC San Diego. Some of his most well-known works include "Soliloquy for Orchestra", "Music for a Dead Planet", and "Electronic Quartet". His music has been performed and recorded by many prominent artists, including the Kronos Quartet and the San Francisco Symphony.
Ogdon was not only a composer but also an influential figure in music education. He joined UC San Diego's music faculty in 1967 and served as the department chair until 1976. Under his leadership, the department became known for its innovative approach to music education and its commitment to fostering creativity and experimentation.
Will Ogdon passed away on October 14, 2013, at the age of 92. His contributions to the field of music, both as a composer and an educator, continue to be recognized and celebrated today.
Compositions featuring Will Ogdon
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Little Suite and an Encore Tango, for 2 violins | 3:31 min | Chamber Music | 2008 |
| 2 | Variation Suite for violin & Viola | 9:08 min | Chamber Music | 1995 |
| 3 | Capriccios (2), for piano | 6:47 min | Keyboard | 1991 |
| 4 | Piano Pieces (7) | 10:32 min | Keyboard | 1987 |
| 5 | Serenade for wind quintet No 1 | 9:21 min | Chamber Music | 1986 |
| 6 | Preludes (5), for violin & piano | 8:30 min | Chamber Music | 1982 |
| 7 | Small trios (6), for trumpet, percussion & piano | 6:40 min | Chamber Music | 1981 |
| 8 | By the Isar, for soprano, flute & double bass | 5:16 min | Vocal Music | 1969 |
| 9 | Trifles (3), for cello & piano | 2:45 min | Chamber Music | 1958 |
| 10 | Kechwa Songs (2), for voice & piano | Vocal Music | 1955 | |
| 11 | Songs (3), for baritone & piano | Vocal Music | 1950 | |
| 12 | Pieces (3), for piano | 3:32 min | Keyboard | 1949 |
Albums featuring Will Ogdon
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Morton Feldman, Will Ogdon, Earle Brown, Pauline Oliveros, Warren Burt, Robert Carl, The Astra Choir • John McCaughey – "We, Like Salangan Swallows..." (A Choral Gallery Of Morton Feldman And Contemporaries)(CD, Album) | 2018 | New World Records |
| 2 |  |
The Music Of Will Ogdon(CD, ) | 1997 | Composers Recordings Inc. (CRI) |
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