Roger Sessions

Born in Brooklyn on December 28, 1896, Roger Sessions became one of the most important figures in American classical music. He studied at Harvard University and later with Ernest Bloch, and he first drew attention with works that reflected a leaner, neoclassical sound before moving toward a more intricate, intensely expressive musical language.

Over the course of his career, Sessions wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral works, and an opera, Montezuma. His style continued to evolve, and he eventually embraced twelve-tone techniques while keeping a strong personal voice. He was also an influential teacher, working at institutions including Princeton University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Juilliard School.

Sessions was recognized with many major honors, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music, and he remained an important writer on musical thought as well as a composer. He died on March 16, 1985, leaving behind a body of work admired for its seriousness, depth, and independence.