Powell, Mel

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Powell, Mel (b NY, 1923; d Los Angeles, 1998). Amer. composer and pianist. Pianist and arr. for Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller bands. Worked in NY 1950–7. On comp. faculty Yale Univ. 1958–69, est. EMS there 1960. Dean of Mus., Calif. Inst. of Arts from 1969 (provost 1972–6, prof. from 1976). His works, even those using elec. means, retain strong traditional features. Works incl. Filigree Setting, str. qt. (1959); Haiku Setting, v., pf. (1961); Events, tape (1963); Stanzas, orch. (1965); Analogs 1–4, tape (1966); Immobiles 1–4, tape and/or orch. (1967); Immobile 5, tape, orch. (1969); Setting, vn., tape, wind (1972); Inscape, ballet (1976); Variations, elec. (1976); Little Companion Pieces, sop., str. qt. (1979); Cantilena, tb., tape (1981); ww. quintet (1984–5); Invocation, vc. (1987); Letter to a Young Composer, sop. (1987); 3 Madrigals, fl. (1988); Computer Prelude, elec. (1988).

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Powell, Mel

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