Cooper, Paul

Cooper, Paul , American composer and teacher; b. Victoria, III, May 19, 1926; d. Houston, April 4, 1996. He received instruction from Kanitz, Stevens, and Sessions at the Univ. of Southern Calif, in Los Angeles (B.S., 1950; M.A., 1953; D.M.A., 1956), and from Boulanger in Paris at the Cons, and the Sorbonne (1953–54). He was a teacher (1955–65) and a prof. (1965–68) of music at the Univ. of Mich., where he also was chairman of the music dept. (1966–68), and then was prof. of composition at the Univ. of Cincinnati Coll.-Cons. of Music (1969–74) and subsequently at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice Univ. in Houston (1974–96). Cooper held Guggenheim fellowships (1965, 1972). He publ. Perspectives in Music Theory (1973; 2nd ed., 1981). In his works, Cooper followed an eclectic course in which he utilized various styles in an original manner.

Works

DRAMATIC Mysterion for Soprano, Narrator, Chamber Orch., and Optional Dancers (1988). ORCH.: 6 syms.: No. 1, Concertant, for Solo Woodwind, Brass, String Quartet, Percussion, and Strings (1966), No. 2, Antiphons, for Oboe and Symphonic Winds (1971), No. 3, Lamentations, for Strings (1971), No. 4, Landscape, for Flute, Trumpet, Viola, and Orch. (1973–75), No. 5, Symphony in 2 Movements (1982–83; Houston, Sept. 10, 1983), and No. 6, In Memoriam (1987); 2 violin concertos (1967; 1980–82); Liturgies for Symphonic Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion (1968); A Shenandoah: For Ives’ Birthday for Flute, Trumpet, Viola, and Orch. (1974); Descants for Viola and Orch. (1975); Homage for Flute, Trumpet, Viola, and Orch. (1976); Cello Concerto (1976–78); Variants (1978); Flute Concerto (1980–81); Organ Concerto (1982); Saxophone Concerto (1982); Duo Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orch. (1985); Jubilate for Symphonic Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion (1985–86); Double Concerto for Violin, Viola, and Orch. (1985–87). CHAMBER : 6 string quartets (1952, rev. 1978; 1954, rev. 1979; 1959; 1963–64; 1973; 1977); Viola Sonata (1961); Violin Sonata (1962); Sonata for [3] Flutes [1 Player] and Piano (1962–63); 2 cello sonatas (1962–63; 1965); Double Bass Sonata (1964); Concert for 4 for Flute, Oboe, Harpsichord, and Double Bass (1965); Concert for 5 for Wind Quintet (1965); Epitaphs for Alto Flute, Harp, and Double Bass (1969); Soliloquies for Violin and Piano (1970); Variants II for Viola and Piano (1972); Chimera for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1973); Concert for 3 for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1977); Canons d’Amour for Violin and Viola (1981); Canti for Viola and Piano (1981); Chamber Music I for 6 Instruments (1982; rev. as Chamber Music II, 1983); 4 Impromptus for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1983); Variants IV for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1986); Tre voti, trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1986); also piano pieces and organ music. VOCAL: Credo for Double Chorus and Orch. (1970); Cantigas for Soprano, Double Chorus, and Orch. (1972); Refrains for Soprano, Baritone, Double Chorus, and Orch. (1976); Celebration for Chamber Chorus, Organ, Speaker, and Congregational Singing (1983); Voyagers for Chorus and Orch. (1983); Omnia tempus habent for Chorus and Organ (1987); song cycles.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire