Is Ned Rorem Living or Dead?

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Is American composer and diarist Ned Rorem dead? Or ... still alive?

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By Andrew Droid Webber

Updated 18 March 2023

Image info

Artist	Daniel Chester French (1850–1931)
Credit	"The Pulitzer Medal" at Pocket Change, the Blog of the American Numismatic Society (direct link to source png file). Rearranged, transparent background, drop shadow effect. The arrangement of the two sides of the medal is modeled after the image Gen pulitzer.jpg, which has been frequently used in Pulitzer Prize templates (e.g. {{Pulitzer}} at English Wikipedia).
License	pd
Desc	Obverse and reverse sides of the gold Pulitzer Prize for Public Service medal, which also serves as a symbol of the Pulitzer Prizes in general.
Usage	Public domain

Image info/credit

American composer and diarist

Ned Rorem is ...

Dead

Born	23 October 1923 in Richmond
Died	18 November 2022 in New York City and Manhattan
Age	99 years, 1 months

Sex or gender	male
Country of citizenship	United States of America
Occupation	composer, diarist, writer, university teacher and actor
Notable work	Piano Concerto No. 2
Awards	Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, Guggenheim Fellowship, Rome Prize, Pulitzer Prize for Music and Arts and Letters Award in Music
Genre	opera and symphony
Member of	American Academy of Arts and Letters and American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Educated at	Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Northwestern University, American Conservatory of Music, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and Bienen School of Music
Field of work	music

About Ned Rorem

Ned Rorem is a true American original. Born in 1923, he has spent his life composing music that is both deeply personal and universal in its appeal. His diaries, which he has been keeping since the age of 14, offer a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a brilliant artist.

Rorem's music is marked by its emotional intensity and its lyrical beauty. He has written more than 500 works, including operas, symphonies, and chamber music. His style is eclectic, drawing on a wide range of influences, from classical to jazz to popular music.

In addition to his music, Rorem is known for his writing. His diaries, which he has published in several volumes, are a testament to his wit, intelligence, and honesty. He has also written essays, poetry, and a memoir.

Throughout his career, Rorem has been recognized for his contributions to American music. He has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1976. He has also been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Despite his many accomplishments, Rorem remains humble and down-to-earth. He has said that he is "just a composer," and that his music is simply a reflection of his own experiences and emotions.

As Rorem approaches his 100th birthday, his legacy as one of America's greatest composers is secure. His music and his writing continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

References:

- "Ned Rorem." The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/ned-rorem

- "Ned Rorem." American Composers Orchestra. https://www.americancomposers.org/composers/ned-rorem/

- "Ned Rorem." The Kennedy Center. https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/r/ra-rm/ned-rorem/