Profession: Prolific Composer
Biography: Morton Gould was an American composer and conductor, known for his wide range of compositions for symphony orchestras, ballets, films, television, and Broadway. He was a distinctly American composer, with one of his most celebrated compositions being the patriotic "American Salute"—which was in turn based on the Civil War song, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."
Gould won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1995 for his work on Stringmusic, a composition commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra for the final season of director Mstislav Rostropovich. He was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.
Born: December 10, 1913
Birthplace: Richmond Hill, New York, USA
Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Sagittarius
Died: February 21, 1996 (aged 82)
Historical Events
- 1946-12-21 Morton Gould's "Minstrel Show" premieres in Indianapolis
- 1947-02-16 Morton Gould's 3rd Symphony, premieres
- 1950-02-02 Morton Gould and Dorothy Field's colonial-era musical "Arms and the Girl", starring Nanette Fabray and Pearl Bailey, opens at 46th St Theater, NYC; runs for 134 performances
- 1950-05-27 Morton Gould and Dorothy Field's colonial-era musical "Arms and the Girl", starring Nanette Fabray and Pearl Bailey, closes at 46th St Theater, NYC, after 134 performances
- 1957-01-20 Morton Gould's orchestral work "Declaration" premieres in Washington, D.C.
- 1994-12-04 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony held for actor Kirk Douglas, singer Aretha Franklin, composer Morton Gould, theater producer-director Harold Prince, and folk singer-songwriter Pete Seeger, in Washington D.C.
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