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George Perle
American composer (1915-2009) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 93
George Perle was an American composer and music theorist. As a composer, his music was largely atonal, using methods similar to the twelve-tone technique of the Second Viennese School. This serialist style, and atonality in general, was the subject of much of his theoretical writings.
George Perle is read about 11 times a day, in 17 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 11 October 2026
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His 1962 book, Serial Composition and Atonality: An Introduction to the Music of Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern remains a standard text for 20th-century classical music theory. Among Perle's awards was the 1986 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Wind Quintet No. 4.
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The same award as George
Mel PowellBoth received Pulitzer Prize for MusicDouglas MooreBoth received Pulitzer Prize for Music
John Luther AdamsBoth received Pulitzer Prize for Music
Karel HusaBoth received Pulitzer Prize for MusicJoseph SchwantnerBoth received Pulitzer Prize for Music
Henry ThreadgillBoth received Pulitzer Prize for Music