Peter Mennin facts for kids

Peter Mennin (born Mennini; May 17, 1923 – June 17, 1983) was a very important American composer, teacher, and music leader. In 1958, he became the Director of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Later, in 1962, he became the President of the Juilliard School. He held this important job until he passed away in 1983.

During his time as president, Juilliard moved to its current home at Lincoln Center. Peter Mennin also helped add new drama and dance departments to Juilliard. He started the Master Class Program, where famous artists like Maria Callas came to teach.

Peter Mennin's Life and Music Journey

Peter Mennini was born on May 17, 1923, in Erie, Pennsylvania. His parents, Amalia and Attilio Mennini, were immigrants from Italy. He was the younger brother of another composer, Louis Mennini.

Early Talent and Education

Peter was very talented in music from a young age. He started writing his first piece for an orchestra when he was just eleven. He finished his first symphony before he turned 19. He would eventually write nine symphonies in total.

He began studying music at the Oberlin Conservatory when he was 16. His teacher there was Norman Lockwood. In 1941, he left to join the U.S. Army Air Force. After his military service, he continued his studies with Howard Hanson at the Eastman School of Music. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees there in 1945.

Rise to Fame with His Third Symphony

Peter Mennin finished his Third Symphony on his 23rd birthday. This work was part of his PhD studies at Eastman. It quickly made him famous in the music world. The New York Philharmonic performed this symphony the next year.

Because of this success, Mennin was invited to teach composition at The Juilliard School. His Third Symphony was also a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize in 1950.

International Work and Recognition

In 1958, Peter Mennin led the first artistic exchange with the Soviet Union. He spent six weeks there, sharing musical ideas. He also received two special awards called Guggenheim fellowships for music composition. He got these awards in 1949 and 1957.

Mennin's Unique Musical Style

Mennin wrote nine symphonies, many concertos, and pieces for wind bands and choruses. His music became more complex over time. However, it always stayed true to a tonal style, which means it used clear musical keys. He also used a lot of polyphony, where several independent melodies are played at the same time.

His Music Today

Peter Mennin's music has gained new attention recently. Many of his symphonies have been recorded on CDs. Only his first two symphonies were not recorded, as he chose to withdraw them. His String Quartet No. 2 was first played by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1952. It was later recorded on Columbia Records.

Even though his music is recorded, it is not often played live in concerts. In 2023, to celebrate 100 years since his birth, a part of his unfinished Violin Concerto was played for the first time. This happened at the Aspen Music Festival.

Notable Students and Legacy

Many famous musicians were taught by Peter Mennin. Some of his notable students include Van Cliburn, Jacob Druckman, Richard Danielpour, and Karl Korte.

Today, Juilliard gives an annual award in his name. The Peter Mennin prize is given for outstanding achievement and leadership in music.

Principal Works

Symphonies

• Symphony No. 1 (1942) (withdrawn)
• Symphony No. 2 (1944) (Gershwin Memorial Award, 1945) (withdrawn)
• Symphony No. 3 (completed May 17, 1946) (Premiered February 1947 by the New York Philharmonic)
• Symphony No. 4 The Cycle (1947–8) (For Chorus & orchestra)
• Symphony No. 5 (1950) (commissioned by the Dallas Symphony)
• Symphony No. 6 (1953)
• Symphony No. 7 Variation-symphony (1963)
• Symphony No. 8 (1973)
• Symphony No. 9 (1981)

Other Orchestral Works

• Folk Overture (1945)
• Fantasia for String Orchestra (1947)
• Concertato Moby Dick (1952)
• Cello concerto (1956)
• Piano concerto (1958) (First played by Eunice Podis with the Cleveland Orchestra)
• Canto (1962)
• Flute concerto (1983)
• Aria, from unfinished Violin Concerto (first played in Aspen, 2023)

Concert Band Works

• Canzona for band (1951)

Piano Works

• Five pieces (1949)
• Piano sonata (1963)

Choral Works (for Choir)

• Four Chinese Poems (1948)
  • In the Quiet Night
  • Crossing the Han River
  • A Song of the Palace
  • The Gold Threaded Robe
• Christmas Story (1949)
• Cantata di Virtute, "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" (1969)
• Reflections of Emily (1978)

Chamber Works (for Small Groups of Instruments)

• String quartet #1
• String quartet #2 (1951)
• Sonata concertante, for violin and piano (1956)