Ben Weber

Biography

William Jennings Bryan "Ben" Weber (July 23, 1916 in St. Louis – June 16, 1979 in New York) was an American composer.

Weber was largely self-taught. He worked initially as a copyist and only came to recognition in the 1950s. Weber used the twelve-tone technique but, rather than avoid tonality, he worked with it and achieved a virtuoso Romantic style. He composed chamber music for various combinations of instruments, orchestral music including concertos for violin and piano, piano music, and songs.

Among those who admired Weber's music were Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, John Cage, Elliott Carter, Milton Babbitt, and David Diamond.

Weber received the Thorne Music Award in 1965. He authored his own memoirs, How I Took 63 Years to Commit Suicide, the year he died.

  • mixed instrumental ens 6 to 15 players
  • ACE Publications

    5 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Ben Weber BALLET, op26 (The Pool of Darkness) fl,bsn,tpt,pf,vln,vcl
    Ben Weber CHAMBER FANTASIE, op 51 Solo vln,2cl,bcl,hp,2vcl,cb
    Ben Weber CONCERTINO FOR VIOLIN, CLAR & CELLO, op 11b
    Ben Weber CONCERTO op. 32 Piano Solo pf,vcl obl,winds:1/picc-1-1/bcl-1,hn
    Ben Weber POOL OF DARKNESS, THE

    Additional Works

    Publ by Round Hill/E. B. Marks:

    Fantasia Variations Op 25

    Enchanted Midnight Op. 60

    Mourn Mourn

    Dolmen for Winds and Strings, Op. 58