George Walker (composer)
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George Walker (born 1922) is an African-American composer. He is the first African-American winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music with his work Lilacs in 1996. He has also written two overtures, two symphonies, one concert piece, three concerti (for cello, violin, and trombone), and two string quartets. Walker was first exposed to music at the age of five when he began to play the piano. He was admitted to the Oberlin Conservatory at eighteen and received his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music. Walker taught composition to Samuel Barber and others.
George Walker has written 3 Overtures, 3 Sinfonias, as well as a Piano Concerto. He was admitted to the Oberlin College when he was 14 (not 18). George Walker did not teach composition to Samuel Barber or Gian-Carlo Menotti. He studied composition with Rosario Scalero who taught Barber and Menotti. I have no idea what is meant by "concert piece." This is totally silly and should be removed. The first major orchestral work is the Address for Orchestra. His Lyric for Strings is his most performed orchestral work . He has composed 5 Sonatas for Piano, a Mass, Cantata, many songs, choral works, organ pieces, sonatas for cello and piano, violin and piano and viola and piano, a Brass Quintet and a Woodwind Quintet. He has published over 90 works. He has received commissions from the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra and many other ensembles. He is the recipient of six honorary doctoral degrees.
George Walker: Website