William Kraft
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.
During his years in New York, Kraft was also active as a freelance musician and had the privilege of working with some of the most well-known musicians of the mid-twentieth century. Kraft thoroughly enjoyed doing freelance work. Among his gigs, he played as an extra percussionist for the Metropolitan Opera and played percussion and conducted for Ondine.
In 1954, Kraft joined the Dallas Symphony. After only one season there, he moved to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Philharmonic years (1955–1985) and thereafter
He took a position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic beginning in the 1955/56 season. He spent 25 years in the orchestra, the first eight as a member of the percussion section, and the remaining 17 as principal timpanist. Kraft was also the assistant conductor of the orchestra for three seasons under Zubin Mehta. From 1981 to 1985, Kraft was the Composer-in-Residence for the orchestra, during which time he was also responsible for the founding and directing of the Philharmonic's New Music Group.[1]
During his early years in Los Angeles, he organized and directed the Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble, a group which played a vital part in premieres and recordings of works by such renowned composers as Ginastera, Harrison, Krenek, Stravinsky, Varèse, and many others. As percussion soloist, he performed the American premieres of Stockhausen’s Zyklus and Boulez’s Le marteau sans maître, in addition to recording Histoire du soldat under Stravinsky’s direction.
He has also composed film soundtracks, including the scores to Psychic Killer (1975),[2] Avalanche (1978), Bill (1981), and Fire and Ice (1983).
He 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.
Commissions and awards
- Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards Second Prize (1984) : Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra
- Kennedy Center Friedheim Awards First Prize (1990) : Veils and Variations for Horns and Orchestra[5]
- Hall of Fame of the Percussive Arts Society[6] (1990)
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Award
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.[7] 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.[8]
| Name | Instrumentations | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General List | Percussion List | ||
| Soliloquy | Multi-Percussion with Tape | Vibraphone
Bass Drum (with Pedal) |
Dedicated to Karen Ervin
Commission by Karen Ervin World Premiere by Karen Ervin on 1975 Published by New Music West Tape Recording by Protone CSPR163 Cassette |
| Encounter II | Tuba | NO PERCUSSION REQUIRED | World Premiere by Roger Bobo on 1967
Published by Editions BIM |
| Encounter III | Multi-Percussion
and Trumpet |
Glockenspiel
Song Bells Tuned Gongs Temple Blocks 5 Cow Bells 5 Suspended Cymbals |
Dedicated to Thomas Stevens and Mitchell Peters
Commission by Thomas Stevens World Premiere by Malcom McNab (Trumpet) and Karen Ervin (Percussion) on 1972 Published by New Music West Tape Recording by Protone CSPR163 Cassette |
| Encounter IV | Multi-Percussion
and Trombone with Tape |
Crotales
4 Timpani 9 Tuned Gongs Tenor Drums 11 Steel Bowls 4 Tam Tams Galvanized trash can cover |
Cominssion 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 | Crotales
Field Drum 4 Tam Tams Spring Coil |
Commissioned by 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) 4 Cymbals 6 Crotales (G, C#, F, D#, E and F#) Player 1 4 Tam Tams Wind Chimes (Metal) Spring Coil Player 2 Player 3 Player 4 |
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
5 Timpani 4 Suspended Cymbals Player 2 Timpano 2 Brake Drums 4 Tom Toms Field 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
3 Temple Blocks 2 Wood Blocks 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
2 Snare Drums Field Drum 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 | 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
2 Snare Drums Field Drum Mark Tree |
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
2 Snare Drums Field Drum [[Tenor Drum 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
2 Snare Drums Field Drum 4 Suspended Cymbals |
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
Field Drum 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
Field Drum 7 Tuned Asian Gongs 12 small Tuned Asian Gongs [[Tam Tam]s] Suspended Cymbals 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 |
| Title | Date | Publisher | Instrumentation | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Accompany | Percussions | ||||
| Concerto for Four Percussionists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble[10] | 1964 | Theodore Presser Company | Multi-Percussion | 4 Flutes (3rd double Piccolo; 4th double Piccolo and Alto Flute)
4 Oboes (4th double English Horn) 4 Clarinet in Bb(4th double Bass Clarinet in Bb) 4 Bassoon (4th double Contrabassoon) 4 Horns in F 4 Trumpets in C 4 Trombones Tuba Piano (Double 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 Snare Drum Triangle Song Bells |
Dedicated to Edgard VarΦse
World Premiere: Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra on 10 March 1966 |
| Configurations
Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists and Jazz Orchestra |
1966 | NM-West | Multi-Percussion | Flute
Clarinet Alto Saxophone 2 Horns 3 Trumpets 3 Trombones Tuba Piano Guitar Double Bass |
Player 1
Timpani Marimba 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 Orchestra | 1983 | Theodore Presser Company | Timpani | 2 Flutes (both double Piccolo)
2 Oboes (Both double English) 2 Clarinets in Bb 2 Bassoons 4 Horns in F 3 Trumpets in C 3 Trombone 3 Percussion Piano (double Celeste) Harp Violins Violas Cellos Double Bass |
Player 1
6 Graduated Drums 2 Suspended Cymbals (High & 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 |
Commissioned by Indiana Percussion Project[11]
Dedicated to Thomas Akins World Premiere by Thomas Akins (soloist) and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra |
| Concerto for Percussion and Chamber Ensemble[12] | 1993 | Theodore Presser Company | Multi-Percussion | Flute (Double Piccolo)
Clarinet in A (Double Bass Clarinet in Bb) Violin Cello |
Bongos
Cowbells Suspended Cymbal (Low) Tam Tam 2 Snare Drum 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[13] |
2005 | Theodore Presser Company | Timpani
(15 Timpani are required) |
3 Flutes (3rd double Piccolo and Alto Flute)
3 Oboes (3rd double English Horn) 3 Clarinet in Bb(3rd double Bass Clarinet in Bb) 3 Bassoon (3rd double Contrabassoon) 3 Horns in F 3 Trumpets in C 3 Trombones Tuba 4 Percussion Piano (Double Celesta) Harp Violins Violas Cellos Double Bass |
Player 1
Vibraphone Crotales Flexitone 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 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) |
Commissioned by Michael Tilson Thomas (music director of San Francisco Symphony Orchestra)
World Premiere by David Herbert (Soloist) and San Francisco Symphony Orchestra on 9 June 2005 |
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
- Encounters, (Cambria, 2009), Latin Grammy nomination for Best Classical Album
- Encounters II, (Cambria)
References
- "William Kraft - composer". LA Philharmonic. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- "Psychic Killer (1975) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "William Kraft". NAMM. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- "Timpanist and composer William Kraft, who helped usher in the modern L.A. Phil, dies at 98". Los Angeles Times. 18 February 2022.
- "Four Composers Win Awards for New Work". The New York Times. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- "PAS Hall of Fame". Percussive Art Society. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - Shulman 2001.
- UC Santa Barbara: Department of Music: William Kraft
- 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.
- "Concerto for Four Percussionists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble". Presser. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "William Kraft: Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra". ISSUU. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "Concerto for Solo Percussion and Chamber Ensemble". PERCTEK. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - "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
- Shulman, Laurie. 2001. "Kraft, William". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell. London: Macmillan Publishers.
External links
- William Kraft's page at Theodore Presser Company
- William Kraft at IMDb
- William Kraft discography at Discogs
- Detailed biography on Music Academy Online
- Art of the States: William Kraft
- Interview with William Kraft, May, 1988
- NAMM Oral History Interview November 9, 2006