Schwartz, Charles, 1922-1998

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Composer, author, musicologist, and music impresario, Charles Schwartz (1922-1998), was well-known as a presenter of new music and jazz in New York City venues, as well as a prolific author on popular music.

Schwartz received his undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College and a graduate degree from New York University before studying from 1945-1953 with several contemporary composers, including Aaron Copland and Roger Sessions. He completed his doctoral work in musicology at NYU in 1969, after which he taught at Queens College (1967-1971) and Hunter College (1972 onward). In addition to his academic career, he also lectured publicly and took part in panel discussions on American musical theater, jazz and contemporary music. Schwartz also freelanced as an orchestrator and trumpeter. From 1957 until the mid-1990s, he produced concert series under the titles Composers' Showcase and Jazz Profiles (both eventually under the former title), presenting concerts of new music and jazz at the Whitney Museum, Circle In The Square, the Museum Of Modern Art, and Lincoln Center. Schwartz also researched and published books about George Gershwin and Cole Porter. He continuously composed his own music, including symphonies, string quartets, popular song, works for wind and percussion, and chamber pieces. He also wrote, performed, and recorded several "jazz symphonies" and other smaller works combining elements of jazz and classical music and featuring such jazz artists as Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Sonny Fortune, Freddie Hubbard and Jon Hendricks. These pieces included Professor Jive, Solo Brothers, Riding High and Mother, Mother. As a composer, Schwartz won many honors, including ASCAP awards in 1978 for Professor Jive and in 1979 for Mother, Mother. He was a Fellow of the MacDowell Colony in 1968.

From the description of Charles Schwartz papers, 1898-1998 (bulk 1943-1998) (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 169946371

Charles Schwartz (born New York City, June 13, 1922, died New York, Dec. 24, 1998), was a composer, author and music impresario. He received his Bachelors degree at Brooklyn College and a Masters degree from New York University Graduate School before studying from 1945-1953 with several contemporary composers: Arthur Berger, Roger Sessions, Jacques Ibert, Aaron Copland, Darius Milhaud, and Charles Jones. He received a Ph.D. in Musicology from NYU in 1969, after which he taught at Queens College (1967-1971) and Hunter College (1972 onward). In addition to his work in academe, he also lectured publicly and took part in panel discussions on American musical theater, jazz and contemporary music. Schwartz also freelanced as an orchestrator and trumpeter.

From 1957 until the mid-1990s, Schwartz produced concert series under the titles Composers’ Showcase and Jazz Profiles (both eventually under the former title), presenting concerts of new music and jazz at the Whitney Museum, Circle In The Square, the Museum Of Modern Art and Lincoln Center. These concerts presented new works by significant composers in both fields, including Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Ned Rorem, Eubie Blake, Luciano Berio, Charles Mingus and David Amram, among others.

Schwartz also researched and wrote about two major figures in American popular song, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. He published three books on them: George Gershwin: His Life And Music (Bobbs-Merrill, 1973), George Gershwin: A Selective Bibliography And Discography (Information Coordinators, 1974), and Cole Porter: A Biography (Dial Press, 1977). He also wrote articles on Gershwin for the Dictionary Of Contemporary Music (Dutton, 1974) and Grove’s Dictionary Of Music And Musicians (6th edition, Macmillan, 1977).

Schwartz continuously composed his own music, including symphonies, string quartets, popular song, works for wind and percussion and chamber pieces. He also wrote, performed and recorded several “jazz symphonies” and other smaller works combining elements of jazz and classical music and featuring jazz artists such as Clark Terry, Cab Calloway, Sonny Fortune, Freddie Hubbard and Jon Hendricks. These included Professor Jive, Solo Brothers, Riding High and Mother, Mother . As a composer, Schwartz won many honors, including ASCAP awards in 1978 for Professor Jive and in 1979 for Mother, Mother . He was a Fellow of the Macdowell Colony in 1968.

From the guide to the Charles Schwartz papers, 1898-1998, 1943-1998, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Schwartz, Charles, 1922-. Charles Schwartz papers, 1898-1998 (bulk 1943-1998) New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Charles Schwartz papers, 1898-1998, 1943-1998 The New York Public Library. Music Division.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Music Collection corporateBody
correspondedWith Copland, Aaron, 1900-1990 person
associatedWith Gershwin, George, 1898-1937. person
associatedWith Porter, Cole, 1891-1964. person
associatedWith Sessions, Roger, 1896-1985. person
correspondedWith Sondheim, Stephen person
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)--New York
United States
Subject
Composers
Composers
Concerts
Concerts
Impresarios
Impresarios
Musicologists
Musicologists
Occupation
Composers
Impresarios
Musicologists
Activity

Person

Birth 1922-06-13

Death 1998-12-24

Americans

English

Information

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