National Medal of Arts, Pulitzer Prize, and Grammy Award-winner William Bolcom (born May 26, 1938) is an American composer of chamber, operatic, vocal, choral, cabaret, ragtime, and symphonic music.
He joined the faculty of the University of Michigan's School of Music in 1973, was named the Ross Lee Finney Distinguished University Professor of Composition in 1994, and retired in 2008 after 35 years. Bolcom won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1988 for 12 New Etudes for Piano, and his setting of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience on the Naxos label won four Grammy Awards in 2005.
As a pianist Bolcom has performed and recorded his own work frequently in collaboration with his wife and musical partner, mezzo-soprano Joan Morris. Cabaret songs, show tunes, and American popular songs of the 20th century have been their primary specialties in both concerts and recordings. Their 25th album, "Autumn Leaves," was released in 2015.
In 2018, nine world premieres of Bolcom works commemorated William Bolcom's 80th birthday.
In a performance we can only describe as exquisite, Marc-Andé Hamelin paid homage to one of Bolcom's most beloved compositions, “Graceful Ghost Rag,” in his January 2023 appearance on a Tiny Desk Concert at National Public Radio in Washington, DC.
Tiny Desk Concerts is a video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen in Washington, D.C.
Read moreMaki Namekawa and Dennis Russell Davies honored Bolcom in May with the program “Bill’s Garden: A Celebration of William Bolcom at 85.”
Read moreBolcom’s Suite of Preludes was given its World Premiere in October 2021 at Hudson Hall in Hudson, New York by Steinway Artist Jenny Lin. Composed during the Coronavirus lockdown, this nine-movement suite is comprised of miniatures that reveal the personal side of Bolcom - they contain elements of humor, obscure thematic quotes, jazz chords - all within the European American style for which the composer is known.
Read moreWilliam Bolcom’s recent work, written for the pianist Igor Levit, is streaming after its premiere earlier this year.
Read moreNew recording from the Fischer Duo celebrates the piano-cello group’s 50 years of performances together.
Read more
This intimate and unconventional pas de deux follows the arc of a relationship, exploring the moments of tension and companionship that make two into one. Choreography by Clark Tippet; Staged by Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner; Music by William Bolcom.
This intimate and unconventional pas de deux follows the arc of a relationship, exploring the moments of tension and companionship that make two into one. Choreography by Clark Tippet; Staged by Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner; Music by William Bolcom.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103
Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin explores what it means to be an American composer. David Halen is the soloist in William Bolcom’s Violin Concerto, finding American sounds for a European form. Hungarian refugee Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra showcases the SLSO’s virtuosity. And Joan Tower’s Made in America celebrates the beauty of this nation, reminding us there is work yet to be done.
Hudson Hall at the historic Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534
Pianist Jenny Lin brings the world premiere of National Medal of Arts, Pulitzer Prize, and GRAMMY Award-winning composer William Bolcom’s “Suite of Preludes” to Hudson Hall. Composed during lockdown, this new nine-movement suite shares the bill with music by Philip Glass, Bolcom’s friend and contemporary.
Moody Music Building 125 Concert Hall, 810 2nd Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
The Huxford Symphony Orchestra performs Bolcom's Clarinet Concerto on September 29 on the opening concert of the University of Alabama's orchestra season.
Saint John's Abbey, 2900 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville, MN 56321
Solemn Blessing of the Expanded Holtkamp-Pasi Abbey Pipe Organ featuring the world premiere of an organ piece by William Bolcolm, “Three Intermezzi for Organ,” commissioned by Saint John’s Abbey through the generous donation from Jeff (SJU ’87) and Jamie Barnett; played by Fr. Robert Koopmann, OSB.
Free; event may be streamed online
Crowne Plaza of Baton Rouge, 4728 Constitution Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Join us for cocktails, then enjoy a dinner theatre performance of William Bolcom and Mark Campbell’s one hour opera, Lucrezia! Featuring Metropolitan Opera National Council winners, and real life couple! Ashley Dixon and Carlos Santelli in the leading roles of this cabaret style opera in English.
This new series will feature major American composers in conversation with each other about their work and leading a creative life. The intergenerational discussions will begin by exploring a single work with one composer interviewing the other. Attendees will gain insight to each work’s genesis, sound, influence on the American orchestral canon, and be invited to ask questions of the artists. Events will be live-streamed and available for on-demand viewing for seven days following the live event. 5 pm EST.
Mazzoleni Concert Hall, The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St W, , Toronto, ON M5S 1V6
Students from The Glenn Gould School’s vocal program perform two one-act operas, led by Music Director Peter Tiefenbach. Kurt Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins is the satirical story of two sisters, Anna I, a practical and cynical singer, and Anna II, an emotional and impulsive but mysterious dancer. Lucrezia, a chamber opera by composer William Bolcom and librettist Mark Campbell, is a zarzuela riff on Machiavelli’s La Mandragola, where the comedy’s heroine Lucrezia, an intelligent seductress, takes charge of her own destiny. Reduced Capacity and Special Ticketing Structure for Safe Physical Distancing.
Zoom (check music.arizona.edu for link)
University of Arizona MUSIC + FESTIVAL 2020 presents Fred Fox School of Music Visiting Composers Series: William Bolcom, presenter. All festival events are free and open to the public. Go to https://music.arizona.edu/news/music-festival-2020-gershwin-reich-bolcom/ for more information.
Live Stream from University of Arizona Crowder Hall (check music.arizona.edu for link)
University of Arizona MUSIC + FESTIVAL 2020 presents Songs of Gershwin and Bolcom – Jeremy Huw Willliams, baritione; Paula Fan, piano. All festival events are free and open to the public. Go to https://music.arizona.edu/news/music-festival-2020-gershwin-reich-bolcom/ for more information. NOTE - Events are Pacific Daylight Time.
Live Stream from University of Arizona Crowder Hall (check music.arizona.edu for link)
University of Arizona MUSIC + FESTIVAL 2020 presents Piano Music of Gershwin, Reich and Bolcom with Michael Dauphinais; Daniel Linder, piano. All festival events are free and open to the public. Go to https://music.arizona.edu/news/music-festival-2020-gershwin-reich-bolcom/ for more information. NOTE - Events are Pacific Daylight Time.
Live Stream from University of Arizona Crowder Hall (check music.arizona.edu for link)
University of Arizona MUSIC + FESTIVAL 2020 presents Chamber Music and Song of Gershwin, Reich and Bolcom with Kristin Dauphinais, mezzo-soprano; Paula Fan, piano; Morris Palter, percussion; Timothy Kantor, violin; Elena Miraztchiyska, piano. All festival events are free and open to the public. Go to https://music.arizona.edu/news/music-festival-2020-gershwin-reich-bolcom/ for more information. NOTE - Events are Pacific Daylight Time.
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Zoom (check music.arizona.edu for link)
University of Arizona MUSIC + FESTIVAL 2020 presents a symposium with William Bolcom; Russell Hartenberger; Joseph Horowitz, presenters. All festival events are free and open to the public. Go to https://music.arizona.edu/news/music-festival-2020-gershwin-reich-bolcom/ for more information. NOTE - Events are Pacific Daylight Time.
Sonata for Two Pianos in One Movement; Kate Lee and Ran Dank, pianists
Orchestre National de Lyon, Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Orchestre National de Lyon, Leonard Slatkin, Conductor
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place , Nashville, TN 37201
Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place , Nashville, TN 37201
Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place , Nashville, TN 37201
Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor
