Foss, Lukas

Lukas Foss (b. Aug. 15, 1922, in Berlin; d. Feb. 1, 2009, in New York City) was an American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator.

From the description of Lukas Foss papers, circa 1926-2000 (bulk 1936-1995). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71130018

Composed 1955-58. First performance Pittsburgh, 24 October 1958, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, William Steinberg conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony of chorales : for orchestra : 1955-58 / Lukas Foss. 1955-1958. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42693776

Composed 1944 as Ode to those who will not return. Revised 1958. First performance of new version Philadelphia, 17 October 1958, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Ode : for orchestra / by Lukas Foss. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51908945

American composer, conductor, and pianist.

From the description of Autograph postcard signed, dated New York, 24 May 1985, to Joan Peyser, 1985 May 24. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270992402

Commissioned by Whitney Tustin. Composed 1948. First performance on a radio broadcast, 6 February 1950.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Oboe concerto / Lukas Foss. 1948. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51908925

Composed 1948. First performance Boston, 31 December 1948, Boston Symphony Orchestra, the composer conducting. Dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Recordare : second tragic ode for orchestra / by Lukas Foss. 1948. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51908953

Commissioned by the Kulas Foundation in Cleveland. Composed 1945 as the first of 2 Biblical Cantatas. First heard as background for a dance performed by Pauline Kohner at Jacob's Pillow, Massachusetts, 1948. First concert performance Boston, 10 March 1950, Boston Symphony Orchestra, the composer conducting, Marco Rothmüller soloist.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Song of anguish : text from Isaiah : for baritone and orchestra / by Lukas Foss. [19--] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 51908956

Composer, conductor, pianist and academic.

Music Director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic.

Epithet: composer and conductor

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000472.0x00035a

Biographical Note

• 1922, Aug. 15: Born, Berlin, Germany
• 1929: Began piano and theory lessons with Julius Goldstein Herford
• 1933: Moved with family to Paris to escape Nazi persecution Studied piano with Lazare Lévy, composition with Nöel Gallon, orchestration with Felix Wolfes, and flute with Louís Moyse at Lyceé Pasteur, Paris
• 1937: Moved to New York City Studied piano with Isabelle Vengerova, composition with Rosario Scalero, orchestration with Randall Thompson, and conducting with Fritz Reiner at the Curtis Institute Composed Four Two-Part Inventions and Grotesque Dance
• 1940 - 1943 : Studied composition with Paul Hindemith and conducting with Serge Koussevitzky at the Berkshire Music Center
• 1942: Became an American citizen Composed The Prairie
• 1944 - 1950 : Named official pianist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
• 1945: Became youngest recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship Composed Song of Songs
• 1946: Began teaching summer classes in composition at the Berkshire Music Center
• 1950: Received first Fulbright Scholarship
• 1951: Premiere of Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in Venice, with Foss as soloist Married Cornelia Brendel
• 1953 - 1962 : Professor of composition and conducting, University of California, Los Angeles
• 1955 - 1957 : Directed the Ojai Festival in Japan
• 1957: Formed Improvisation Chamber Ensemble with Charles DeLancy and Richard Dufallo
• 1959 - 1960 : Composed Time Cycle
• 1960: Directed the Ojai Festival in Japan Received second Guggenheim Fellowship
• 1961 - 1963 : Composed Echoi
• 1962: Moved to Buffalo, New York
• 1962 - 1968 : Conductor and music director for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
• 1963: Founded and co-directed with Allen Sapp the Center of Creative and Performing Arts at the State University of New York at Buffalo
• 1969: Composed Paradigm
• 1969 - 1971 : Visiting professor, Harvard University
• 1970: Composed M.A.P. (Musicians at Play)
• 1971 - 1990 : Conductor and music advisor of the Brooklyn Philharmonia
• 1972: Visiting professor, Manhattan School of Music
• 1972 - 1976 : Conductor and music advisor of the Kol Israel Orchestra of Jerusalem
• 1975: Began residency at the University of Cincinatti Conservatory of Music
• 1981 - 1986 : Music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
• 1986: Composed Three American Pieces
• 1989: Composed Elegy for Anne Frank
• 1991: Professor, music theory and composition, Boston University
• 1993: Composed Left Hand Piano Concerto
• 1998: Composed String Quartet No. 4
• 2002: Composed Symphonic Fantasy for Orchestra
• 2009, Feb. 1: Died, New York City

From the guide to the Lukas Foss Papers, circa 1926-2000, 1936-1995, (Music Division Library of Congress)