Piston, << PIHS tuhn, >> Walter (1894-1976), was a leading American composer especially noted for his symphonies. He won the 1948 Pulitzer Prize in music for his Symphony No. 3 (1948) and the 1961 Pulitzer Prize in music for his Symphony No. 7 (1961).
Piston was a member of the Neoclassical movement of the early 1900’s. His compositions are known for their skillful orchestrations, traditional formal structures, and expert use of counterpoint (see Counterpoint ). In addition to eight symphonies, Piston primarily wrote concertos and other works for orchestra as well as many compositions for chamber groups. He composed one work for the stage, a popular ballet called The Incredible Flutist (1938).
Piston was born on Jan. 20, 1894, in Rockland, Maine. He studied drawing and painting before choosing a career in music. From 1924 to 1926, he studied in Paris with composer Paul Dukas and the famous teacher Nadia Boulanger. Piston taught music at Harvard University from 1926 to 1960. He wrote standard textbooks on counterpoint, harmony, and orchestration. Piston died on Nov. 12, 1976.
