Ross, Walter (Beghtol)

Ross, Walter (Beghtol) , American composer and teacher; b. Lincoln, Nebr., Oct. 3, 1936. He studied at the Univ. of Nebr. (M.Mus., 1962), with Ginastera at the Institute Torcuato di Tella in Buenos Aries (1965), and with Robert Palmer (composition) and Husa (conducting) at Cornell Univ. (D.M.A., 1966). In 1967 he was appointed to the music faculty of the Univ. of Va. Much of his music is inspired by American themes.

Works

DRAMATIC: Opera: In the Penal Colony (1972). ORCH.: Concerto for Brass Quintet and Orch. (1966); 2 trombone concertos (1970, 1982); 2 syms.: No. 1, A Jefferson Symphony, for Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (Charlottesville, Va., April 13, 1976) and No. 2 for Strings (1994); Concerto for Wind Quintet and String Orch. (1977); Nocturne for Strings (1980); Concerto for Bassoon and Strings (1983); Concerto for Oboe, Harp, and Strings (1984); Overture to the Virginian Voyage (1986); Concerto for Flute, Guitar, and Orch. (1987); Sinfonietta Concertante for Strings (1987); Concerto for Euphonium, Symphonic Brass, and Timpani (1988); Fantastic Dances for Strings (1990); Mosaics, piano concerto (1991); Scherzo Festivo (1992); A Celebration of Dances (1993); Clarinet Concerto (1994); Double Bass Concerto (1995); Violin Concerto (1996); Concerto for Oboe d’Amore and Strings (1998). Band: Many works. CHAMBER : Cryptical Triptych for Trombone and Piano (1968); 5 Dream Sequences for Percussion Quartet and Piano (1968); Canzona I (1969) and II (1979) for 4 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 4 Trombones, 2 Euphoniums, 2 Tubas, and 3 Percussion, III for 12 Horns (1986), and IV for 4 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 4 Trombones, 2 Tubas, Timpani, and 2 Percussion (1989); 3 wind quintets (1974, 1985, 1989); String Trio (1978); Violin Sonata (1981); Suite No. 1 for Chamber Ensemble (1983); 4 brass trios (1985; 1986; 1986; Shapes of Klee, 1995); Brass Quintet No. 1 (1987); Oil of Dog for Brass Quintet and Actor (1988); Shapes in Bronze for 2 Euphoniums and 2 Tubas (1992); Summer Dances for Oboe and Marimba (1992); Contrasts! for 12 Euphoniums (1992); Harlequinade for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, and Piano (1994); Shortened Suite for Trumpet and Bassoon (1996); Trio Fantastico for Oboe d’Amore, Bassoon, and Piano (1998); A Suite of Klee for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1999). VOCAL : Numerous pieces, including The Pleasure’s in Walking Through, cantata for Soprano, Chorus, and Orch. (1997).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire