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William Kraft (September 6, 1923 – February 12, 2022) was an American composer, conductor, teacher, timpanist, and percussionist.


Biography



Early life and education (1923–1954)


Kraft was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was awarded two Anton Seidl Fellowships at Columbia University, graduating with a bachelor's degree cum laude in 1951 and a master's degree in 1954. He studied composition with Jack Beeson and Henry Cowell, orchestration with Henry Brant, percussion with Morris Goldenberg, timpani from Saul Goodman, and conducting with Rudolph Thomas and Fritz Zweig.

While in New York City, Kraft worked as a freelance musician and was an extra percussionist at the Metropolitan Opera. In 1954, Kraft joined the Dallas Symphony. After one season, he accepted a position as percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.[1]


At the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1955–1985)


Kraft began as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's percussion section, before being promoted to the orchestra's principal timpanist. From 1968–1972, he also served as the orchestra's assistant conductor, under then music director Zubin Mehta.[2] From 1981–1985, Kraft was Composer-in-Residence for the orchestra; during that period he founded and directed its New Music Group.[3] Altogether he spent 26 years with the Philharmonic.[4]

In 1958, Kraft founded the Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble, a group which made its debut on March 10 with the Monday Evening Concerts.[5] The group performed the world and local premieres of works by Alberto Ginastera, Lou Harrison, Ernst Krenek, Igor Stravinsky, Edgard Varèse, and other composers. He performed in the local premiere of Pierre Boulez's Le marteau sans maître under the composer's direction[6] and played the American premiere of Karlheinz Stockhausen's Zyklus. The latter led to a journalistic debate between Los Angeles Times music critic Albert Goldberg and Kraft, who took exception to the critic's use of the term "noisemakers" in reference to percussion instruments.[7]

He has also composed film soundtracks, including the scores to Psychic Killer (1975),[8] Avalanche (1978), Bill (1981), and Fire and Ice (1983).


Later years


Kraft served as chairman of the composition department and holder of the Corwin Chair at the University of California, Santa Barbara until he retired in June 2002.

Kraft died on February 12, 2022, at the age of 98.[9][10]


Commissions and awards



Compositions


In the 1960s and 1970s, most of Kraft's compositions were serial, while in the 1980s he incorporated jazz rhythms and impressionist harmonies. Although percussion works feature prominently in his catalog, in 1996–1998 he concentrated on composing his first opera, Red Azalea.[13] His works have been performed by many major American orchestras as well as those in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Israel, and the USSR. Kraft's Contextures: Riots – Decade '60 (1967) has been choreographed and performed by both the Scottish National Ballet and the Minnesota Dance Company. In 1986, United Airlines commissioned a work expressly to accompany a lumetric sculpture by Michael Hayden titled Sky's the Limit, for their pedestrian passageway at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.[14]

Encounters[15]
Name Instrumentations Details
General List Percussion
Soliloquy Multi-percussion with tape Vibraphone
Bongos
Snare drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum (with pedal)
Tam-tam
  • Dedicated to Karen Ervin
  • Commission by Karen Ervin
  • World premiere by Karen Ervin in 1975
  • Published by New Music West
  • Tape Recording by Protone CSPR163 Cassette
Encounter II Tuba None
  • World premiere by Roger Bobo in 1967
  • Published by Editions BIM
Encounter III Multi-percussion and trumpet Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Crotales
Song bells
Tuned gongs
Temple blocks
5 Cowbells
3 Triangles
5 Suspended cymbals
Bongos
Snare drum
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
  • Dedicated to Thomas Stevens and Mitchell Peters
  • Commission by Thomas Stevens
  • World premiere by Malcom McNab (trumpet) and Karen Ervin (percussion) in 1972
  • Published by New Music West
  • Tape Recording by Protone CSPR163 Cassette
Encounter IV Multi-percussion and trombone with tape Crotales
Vibraphone
4 Timpani
9 Tuned gongs
Timbales
Bongos
Tenor drums
11 Steel bowls
4 Tam-tams
Galvanized trash can cover
  • Commission by Thomas Ervin and Karen Ervin
  • World premiere by Thomas Ervin (trombone), Karen Ervin (percussion) and tape collage by William Malloch on 1973
  • Published by New Music West
In the Morning of the Winter Sea Multi-percussion and cello Crotales
Bongos
Snare drum
Field drum
Tenor drum
4 Tam-tams
Spring coil
  • Commissioned by the Ford Foundation
  • World premiere by Nathaniel Rosen (cello) and William Kraft (percussion) in 1976
  • Published by New Music West
Concertino for Roto Toms and Percussion Quartet Multi-percussion with percussion quartet Solo
7 Rototoms (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 inches)
Triangle
4 Cymbals
6 Crotales (G, C, F, D, E and F)

Player 1
Vibraphone
4 Tam-tams
Bass drum
Wind chimes (metal)
Spring coil

Player 2
Vibraphone
Tubular bells

Player 3
Glockenspiel
Vibraphone

Player 4
Vibraphone

  • Commissioned by Remo
  • Dedicated to Jennifer Kraft (William Kraft's daughter)
  • World premiere by Temple University Percussion Ensemble on 10 March 1976
  • Published by New Music West
Blessed Are the Peacemakers Multi-percussion duet Player 1
Vibraphone
Marimba
Crotales
5 Timpani
4 Suspended cymbals
Bongos

Player 2
Vibraphone
Crotales
Tubular bells
Timpano
2 Brake drums
4 Tom toms
Bongos
Snare drum
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum

  • Commission by Steve Grimo and Pat Hollenbeck
  • Dedicated to Liz, David, Marc, Pat, Marsha, Rick, Nancy, Don, Sylvia and Carl
  • World premiere by Steve Grimo and Pat Hollenbeck in 1978
  • Published by New Music West
The Latimer Encounter Multi-percussion solo Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Marimba
Chimes
3 Temple blocks
2 Woodblocks
2 Tam-tams
  • Commissioned by members and alumni of Wisconsin Youth Symphony
  • World premiere by Jim Latimer in 1978
  • Published by New Music West
Encounters IX Alto saxophone and multi-percussion Vibraphone
Bongos
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Tam-tam
3 Suspended cymbals
Japanese prayer bowls (optional)
  • Commissioned by Baylor University
  • World premiere by David Hastings (saxophone) and Larry Vanlandingham (percussion) in 1982
  • Published by New Music West
Duologue for Violin and Marimba Violin and marimba None
  • Commission by Marimolin
  • World premiere by Sharan Leventhal (violin) and Nancy Zeltsman (marimba) in 1992
  • Published by New Music West
The Demise of Suriyodhaya Multi-percussion and English horn Vibraphone
Marimba
Crotales
Bongos
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Mark tree
Wind chimes
  • Commission by Carolyn Hove and Raynor Carroll
  • Dedicated to Lou Harrison and Toru Takemitsu
  • World premiered by Carolyn Hove (English horn) and Raynor Carroll (percussion) on 1 March 1999
  • Published by Theodore Pressor Company
The Gabrielic Foray Multi-percussion and harp Glockenspiel
Vibraphone
Almglocken
Bongos
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Tam-tam
Sizzle cymbal
  • World premiered by David Herbert (percussion) and Alison Bjurkedal (harp) on 12 August 2003
  • Published by Theodore Pressor Company
Concertino for Percussion and Woodwind Quintet Multi-percussion and woodwind quintet Vibraphone
Crotales
Bongos
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Tam-tam
4 Suspended cymbals
Hi-hat
Vibraslap
Maracas
  • World premiere by Kenneth McGrath (percussion) and Southwest Chamber Music on 17 March 2008
  • Published by Theodore Pressor Company
Concerto a Tre Violin, piano, and percussion Vibraphone
Bongos
Snare drum
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Tam-tam
Suspended cymbal
  • World premiered by Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society on 8 August 2005
  • Published by Theodore Pressor Company
Encounter XV Multi-percussion and amplified guitar Vibraphone
Marimba
Crotales
Bongos
Snare drum
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
7 Tuned Asian gongs
12 Small tuned Asian gongs
Tam-tams
Suspended cymbals
Cowbells
2 Temple bowls
  • Commissioned by the Fromm Foundation for Southwest Chamber Music
  • World premiered by Lynn Vartan (percussion) and John Schneider (guitar) on 6 October 2008
  • Published by Theodore Pressor Company
Large Ensemble Works
TitleInstrumentationDetails
Solo Ensemble Percussion
Concerto for Four Percussionists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble[16]Multi-percussion4 Flutes (3rd doubling piccolo; 4th doubling piccolo and alto flute)
4 Oboes (4th doubling English horn)
4 Clarinet in B (4th doubling bass clarinet in B)
4 Bassoon (4th doubling contrabassoon)
4 Horns in F
4 Trumpets in C
4 Trombones
Tuba
Piano (doubling celesta)
Harp
Player 1
Timpani
Wood drums
Tambourine

Player 2
5 Drums
Crotales
Glockenspiel
Tubular bells

Player 3
Vibraphone
Xylophone
Metals
Bass drum

Player 4
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Snare drum
Triangle
Song bells

  • Dedicated to Edgard Varèse
  • World premiere: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra on 10 March 1966
Configurations

Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists and Jazz Orchestra

Multi-percussionFlute
Clarinet
Alto saxophone
2 Horns
3 Trumpets
3 Trombones
Tuba
Piano
Guitar
Double bass
Player 1
Timpani
Marimba
Xylophone
Crotales
Tam-tam

Player 2
Crotales
Glockenspiel
Tubular bells
Bass drum
3 Wood blocks
2 Temple blocks

Player 3
Vibraphone
Bongos
Snare drum
Tenor drum
Field drum
Bass drum

Player 4
Tubular bells
Crotales
Bass drum
Drumset

  • Commission by Ludwig Drum Company
  • World premiere by University of Southern California Wind Ensemble on 13 November 1966
Concerto for Timpani and OrchestraTimpani2 Flutes (both doubling piccolo)
2 Oboes (both doubling English horn)
2 Clarinets in B
2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombone
3 Percussion
Piano (doubling celesta)
Harp
Violins
Violas
Cellos
Double bass
Player 1
6 Graduated drums
2 Suspended cymbals (high and medium)
Glockenspiel
Crotales (E, A)

Player 2
Crotales (2 octaves)
6 Temple blocks
Crash cymbals
Suspended cymbal (medium)
Snare drum
Field drum
Xylophone
Triangle
Tam-tam (shared)

Player 3
Chimes
Crotales (B, E)
Bass drum
Tam-tam (shared)
Suspended cymbal (low)
Vibraphone
Lath on leather pad

Concerto for Percussion and Chamber Ensemble[18]Multi-PercussionFlute (doubling piccolo)
Clarinet in A (doubling bass clarinet in B)
Violin
Cello
Bongos
Cowbells
Suspended cymbal (low)
Tam-tam
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum (pedal)
2 Automobile spring coils
Vibraphone
Marimba
  • World premiere by Dean Anderson (soloist) and Boston Musica Viva on 17 September 1993
Concerto No. 2 for Timpani and Orchestra

The Grand Encounter[19]

Timpani

(15 Timpani are required)

3 Flutes (3rd doubling piccolo and alto flute)
3 Oboes (3rd doubling English horn)
3 Clarinet in B (3rd doubling bass clarinet in B)
3 Bassoon (3rd doubling contrabassoon)
3 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in C
3 Trombones
Tuba
4 Percussion
Piano (doubling celesta)
Harp
Violins
Violas
Cellos
Double bass
Player 1
Vibraphone
Crotales
Flexatone
Tam-tam
Brake Drum

Player 2
Glockenspiel
7 Almglocken
Bongos
2 Snare drums
Field drum
Tenor drum
Bass drum
Crash cymbals
Suspended cymbal
Tam-tam
Lath on Leather

Player 3
Glockenspiel
Marimba
3 Suspended cymbals
Triangle
Sleigh bells (high)
Vibraslap
Lath on Leather

Player 4
Chimes
Tuned gongs
7 Nipple gongs
Sleigh bells (low)
Tam-tam
Suspended cymbal (low)


Recordings


Compact discs completely devoted to Kraft's music can be found on Harmonia Mundi, CRI, Cambria, Crystal, Albany, and Nonesuch labels. Other works can be found on GM, Crystal, London Decca, Townhall, EMI, and Neuma. Recent works include Brazen, commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra; Quintessence Revisited and Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, premiered and recorded by the New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble, Frank Battisti conducting. His Encounter solo series has been recorded multiple times on all appropriate instruments. On Encounters, he worked with guitarist John Schneider. Encounters II showcases unique techniques for tuba such as multi-phonics double pedal range. In 2010, the Los Angeles Philharmonic released a recording on DG Concerts of the Timpani Concerto No. 1 featuring Joseph Pereira as soloist with John Adams conducting.


Discography



References


  1. Swed, Mark (February 17, 2022). "Timpanist and composer William Kraft, who helped usher in the modern L.A. Phil, dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  2. Hernández, Javier C. (March 23, 2022). "William Kraft, Percussionist and Force in New Music, Dies at 98". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  3. "William Kraft - composer". LA Philharmonic. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  4. "William Kraft". UC Santa Barbara Department of Music. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. "2 Sonatas on Monday Evening Concert Bill". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. March 6, 1958. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. Goldberg, Albert (March 12, 1957). "Strange Music Heard At Monday Concert". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  7. Goldberg, Albert (April 9, 1961). "Noisemakers! No, Not That, Too, Mr. Critic!". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  8. "Psychic Killer (1975) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. "William Kraft". NAMM. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  10. "Timpanist and composer William Kraft, who helped usher in the modern L.A. Phil, dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. 18 February 2022.
  11. "Four Composers Win Awards for New Work". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  12. "PAS Hall of Fame". Percussive Art Society. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. Shulman 2001.
  14. "UC Santa Barbara: Department of Music: William Kraft". Archived from the original on 2019-08-13. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  15. Bridwell, Barry (1993). The Multi-Percussion Writing of William Kraft in His Encounters Series with Three Recitals of Selected Works of ERB, PTASZYNSKA, REDEL, SERRY and Others. University of North Texas: Barry D. Bridwell.
  16. "Concerto for Four Percussionists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble". Presser. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. "William Kraft: Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra". ISSUU. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. "Concerto for Solo Percussion and Chamber Ensemble". PERCTEK. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. "William Kraft: Concerto No. 2 The Grand Encounter for Timpani and Orchestra". ISSUU. 2011-11-14. Retrieved 2021-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Works cited







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