Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

Early Life and Education

- April 30, 1939 - Born in Miami, Florida.

- Zwilich began composing music at age 5, around the same time she began taking piano lessons.

- By the time she graduated high school, she was proficient in piano, violin, and trumpet.

- 1960 - Earned her bachelor's degree in music from Florida State University.

- 1962 - Earned her master's degree in music from Florida State University.

- 1975 - Became the first woman to receive a doctorate in composition from The Juilliard School.

Career

- Began her professional career as a violinist.

- 1983 - Became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Music, for her Symphony No. 1 Three Movements for Orchestra.

- May 5, 1982 - Symphony No. 1 premiered, performed by the American Composers Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall.

- Composed five symphonies, several concertos, and numerous other orchestral and chamber works.

- Professor at Florida State University.

- 1995-1999 - Held the composer’s chair at Carnegie Hall.

- 1999 - Named Musical America’s Composer of the Year.

Musical Style

- Early works were characterized by atonal exploration.

- By the late 1980s, her style shifted to a postmodernist, neoromantic style.

- Called one of America's most acclaimed and popular composers for her ability to write for both performer and audience.

Symphony No. 1 Three Movements for Orchestra

- May 5, 1982 - Premiered.

- Performed by the American Composers Orchestra.

- Conducted by Gunther Schuller.

- 1983 - Won the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

- Symphony No. 1 Three Movements for Orchestra : I

Awards and Recognition

- 1983 - Pulitzer Prize in Music.

- Four Grammy nominations.

- Guggenheim Fellowship.

- Award from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

- Six honorary doctorates.

- 1999 - Named Musical America’s Composer of the Year.

I have some information about Ellen Taaffe Zwilich that I'd like to share.