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
As the composer reaches a milestone birthday, Soprano Rayanne Dupuis and Pianist Guy Livingston team up to serve up some Bolcom at his best: a selection of “serious” songs, as well as theatrical offerings and, of course, some Cabaret thrown in for good measure. In honour of his youthful years in Paris, studying with Darius Milhaud and Olivier Messiaen, the programme includes a new composition by Bolcom in french. Admission Free, but reservations requested.
Peter Jay Sharp Theater, Juilliard, 155 W 65th St, New York, NY 10023
Juilliard and New York Festival of Song will present "William Bolcom and John Corigliano: An 80th Birthday Tribute" featuring Juilliard singers and pianists Steven Blier and Michael Barrett.
Holland America’s Westerdam, San Diego, CA
Bolcom & Morris give two performances aboard Holland America’s Westerdam, sailing from San Diego down the Mexican coast Dec. 1-7.
Joseph Alessi, trombone, Univ. of Mich. Symphony Band, Michael Haithcock, conductor - plus Joan Morris will perform a selection of Bill's "Cabaret Songs"
Wind Ensemble: Josh Byrd, conductor
Church of the Intercession, West 155th and Broadway, New York, NY
Soprano Alyson Cambridge is featured in this concert in "The Crypt Sessions" series. In these times of racial division, there are lessons to be learned from the past. No better story to learn from than this, and no better storyteller than Alyson Cambridge. Before the concert, a special wine and food tasting paired specially to the music on the program.
University Opera Theatre directed by Robert Swedberg; University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Kathleen Kelly
University Opera Theatre directed by Robert Swedberg; University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Kathleen Kelly
University Opera Theatre directed by Robert Swedberg; University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Kathleen Kelly
University Opera Theatre directed by Robert Swedberg; University Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Kathleen Kelly
Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra; Conducted by Robert Lehmann
Brooklyn Wind Symphony; Conductor: Jeff W. Ball; arrangements by Ian Frenkel
The evening will include a world premiere, commissioned for the occasion, by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom in a special performance by Bolcom and his wife, mezzo-soprano Joan Morris.
Theater Hagen gGmbH , Elberfelder Str. 65 , 58095 Hagen, Germany
gGmbH Philharmonisches Orchester Hagen; Conductor: Joseph Trafton; Soloist: Joseph Alessi
Miller Auditorium, Western Michigan University, 2200 Auditorium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI
The PRISM Quartet joins the Western Michigan University Symphonic Band under Scott Boerma. Admission: Free
Johanneke Vogel, soprano; Heleen Vegter, piano; Performing selections from Cabaret Songs, Minicabs, Songs To Dance, and The Wind in the Willows.
Works of former resident composers, including Ned Rorem, William Bolcom and Juantio Becenti.
Soprano Brooke Evers and pianist Jeremy Filsell will works of William Bolcom and Benjamin Britten.
Baritone Mario Diaz-Moresco and pianist Spencer Myer perform works by Franz Schubert as well as a selection of cabaret songs by William Bolcom.
St Francis Auditorium, New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 West Palace Ave., Santa Fe, New Mexico
The New Mexico Premiere of Bolcom's Festival co-commission - post-concert talk by Bill Bolcom
