(b Bayonne, nj, 6 May 1915). American composer and theorist. He studied with Wesley LaViolette (1934-8) and Krenek, and in 1961 began teaching at Queens College, New York. During the 1930s he was one of the first Americans to take an interest in 12-note music; from that grew his ‘12-tone modality’, which makes possible a relatively concordant atonality having connections with Berg and Bartók. His works are almost all instrumental and include string quartets and wind quintets. It eschews the veneer of the avant garde and unfolds in a relatively uncomplicated way. He has also written many influential essays and books, particularly on Berg.

The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.