Generally recognised as the father of the American Neo-Romantic movement in music, David Del Tredici has received numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, and has been commissioned and performed by nearly every major American and European orchestral ensemble. “Del Tredici,” said Aaron Copland, “is that rare find among composers—a creator with a truly original gift. I venture to say that his music is certain to make a lasting impression on the American musical scene. I know of no other composer of his generation who composes music of greater freshness and daring, or with more personality.”

Much of his early work consists of elaborate vocal settings of James Joyce (I Hear an Army; Night Conjure-Verse; Syzygy) and Lewis Carroll (Pop-Pourri, An Alice Symphony, Vintage Alice and Final Alice, among other works). Over the past several years he has ventured into the more intimate realm of chamber music with works such as two String Quartets, Grand Trio, Magyar Madness and Facts of Life. More recently, Del Tredici has set to music a cavalcade of contemporary American poets, often celebrating a gay sensibility. OUT Magazine has twice named the composer one of its people of the year.

David Del Tredici began his musical career as a pianist, making his début with the San Francisco Symphony at the age of 18. His first compositions, in fact, were for solo piano. In 2003 Del Tredici began writing again for the piano, this time with boundless energy, composing 12 additional works for the instrument.