David Ott
Encyclopedia
David Ott is an American composer of classical music.
Born in Crystal Falls, Michigan
, Ott's works include four symphonies, an opera (The Widows Lantern), the Annapolis Overture, written for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
, and various pieces of children's music
. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music (four times) and the Grammies (twice). The premiere of his Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich, gained Ott the 1988 nomination. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville
in 1969. He received his Master's degree at Indiana University, and his PhD. in music at the University of Kentucky.
Ott has served on the faculties of Houghton College
in New York, Pfeiffer College in North Carolina, and DePauw University
in Indiana, being honored as Outstanding Professor at two of these institutions. He also held the appointment of Pace Eminent Scholar and Composer in Residence at the University of West Florida
.
David Ott was the founder (2001) and director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Northwest Florida, until it disbanded in 2008.
Ott's opera, The Widow's Lantern, premiered September 25, 2009, and was performed by the Pensacola Opera. After the premiere, Dr. Ott was seriously injured when he fell 14 feet into the basement below the orchestra pit. His newest work, Symphony No. 5, will premiere with the Reston Community Orchestra (Reston, Virginia) on November 22, 2009.
Born in Crystal Falls, Michigan
Crystal Falls, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,791 people, 795 households, and 470 families residing in the city. The population density was 530.6 per square mile . There were 913 housing units at an average density of 270.5 per square mile...
, Ott's works include four symphonies, an opera (The Widows Lantern), the Annapolis Overture, written for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is based in Annapolis, Maryland, and has been in operation since 1962. Its founders included Kenneth W. Page, a well-respected civic leader in the Annapolis area during the 1960s. He was also the music director of the Annapolis High School band...
, and various pieces of children's music
Children's music
Children's music is used here to refer to music composed and performed for children by adults. In European influenced contexts this means music, usually songs, written specifically for a juvenile audience. The composers are usually adults. Children's music has historically held both entertainment...
. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music (four times) and the Grammies (twice). The premiere of his Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich, gained Ott the 1988 nomination. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
University of Wisconsin–Platteville is a public university located in Platteville, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and offers both bachelor and master degrees...
in 1969. He received his Master's degree at Indiana University, and his PhD. in music at the University of Kentucky.
Ott has served on the faculties of Houghton College
Houghton College
Houghton College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. The college is a member of both the Christian College Consortium and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
in New York, Pfeiffer College in North Carolina, and DePauw University
DePauw University
DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association...
in Indiana, being honored as Outstanding Professor at two of these institutions. He also held the appointment of Pace Eminent Scholar and Composer in Residence at the University of West Florida
University of West Florida
The University of West Florida, also known as West Florida and UWF, is a mid-sized public university located in Pensacola, Florida, United States. UWF is a member institution of the State University System of Florida. The University of West Florida is a Research University, which specializes in...
.
David Ott was the founder (2001) and director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Northwest Florida, until it disbanded in 2008.
Ott's opera, The Widow's Lantern, premiered September 25, 2009, and was performed by the Pensacola Opera. After the premiere, Dr. Ott was seriously injured when he fell 14 feet into the basement below the orchestra pit. His newest work, Symphony No. 5, will premiere with the Reston Community Orchestra (Reston, Virginia) on November 22, 2009.
Discography
- David Ott: Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 3, Koss Classics KC-3301, 1993. Grand Rapids SymphonyGrand Rapids SymphonyThe Grand Rapids Symphony is a regional orchestra located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. At the end of its 75th Anniversary Season, the Symphony made its debut in New York City’s Carnegie Hall on May 21, 2005. The Symphony has presented concerts throughout Michigan and is heard on broadcasts by WBLV...
, Catherine Comet, cond.
- David Ott: The Water Garden, Koss Classics KC-1023, 1995. Includes The Water Garden (symphonic poem, 9'33"), Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra (3 mvt., 23'57"), and Music of the Canvas (Three symphonic sketches representing paintings by Richard Pousette-DartRichard Pousette-DartRichard Pousette-Dart was an American Abstract Expressionist painter.-Biography:He was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota and grew up in Valhalla, New York. Although Richard never attended art school, his father, Nathaniel J. Pousette-Dart, was a painter and writer on art. He moved to Manhattan in 1937...
, commissioned by the Indianapolis Museum of ArtIndianapolis Museum of ArtThe Indianapolis Museum of Art is an encyclopedic art museum located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The museum, which underwent a $74 million expansion in 2005, is located on a campus on the near northwest area outside downtown Indianapolis, northwest of Crown Hill Cemetery.The...
, 26'15"). Performed by the Milwaukee Symphony OrchestraMilwaukee Symphony OrchestraThe Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its primary performing venue is the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts...
, Zdeněk MácalZdenek MácalZdeněk Mácal is a Czech conductor.Mácal began violin lessons with his father at age four. He later attended the Brno Conservatory and the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, where he graduated in 1960 with top honors. He became principal conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and...
, Cond., Solo cellists in the concerto are Daniel Laufer and Wolfgang Laufer.