Milton Babbitt American composer who helped create the first synthesizer Date of Birth: 10.05.1916 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Music Education
2. Academic Studies and Mathematical Interests
3. Princeton University and Musical Composition
4. World War II and Postwar Contributions
5. Electronic Music and Collaboration
6. Controversy and Legacy

Early Life and Music Education

Milton Babbitt was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1916. Raised in Jackson, Mississippi, he began studying violin at age four but soon turned to clarinet and saxophone. From a young age, he was drawn to popular music and jazz, creating his first arrangements at seven. At 13, he won a local song contest.

Academic Studies and Mathematical Interests

Despite his father's mathematical background, Babbitt pursued mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1931. Abandoning the field due to a lack of passion, he moved to New York and enrolled in college, where he studied music with Philip James and Marion Bauer. His interest in the music of the Second Viennese School led him to write articles on dodecaphony, a 12-tone technique developed by that group.

Princeton University and Musical Composition

In 1935, Babbitt earned a bachelor's degree from New York University. He then took private lessons with composer Roger Sessions before pursuing graduate studies at Princeton University in 1938. In 1942, he graduated with one of the first Ph.D.'s in music ever awarded.

World War II and Postwar Contributions

During World War II, Babbitt alternated between mathematical research in Washington and teaching mathematics at Princeton from 1943 to 1945. After the war, he continued his mathematical pursuits briefly before joining the music faculty at Princeton University. In 1973, he taught at the Juilliard School in New York. Notable students included music theorist David Lewin, composer Donald Martino, theatrical composer Stephen Sondheim, and computer music legend Paul Lansky.

Electronic Music and Collaboration

In his later years, Babbitt embraced electronic music and collaborated with RCA on the development of the first programmable synthesizer, the RCA Mark II Sound Synthesizer (known as "Victor"). He continued to compose both electronic and acoustic music, often combining the two. His work "Philomel" successfully juxtaposed soprano with synthesizer accompaniment.

Controversy and Legacy

Babbitt gained notoriety in 1958 for his article titled "The Composer as Specialist," which was controversially retitled "Who Cares if You Listen?" by the editor of High Fidelity. Despite the offensive title, Babbitt later reflected that this article "has given me more notoriety than my music, which you may or may not listen to."

Milton Babbitt died at the University Medical Center in Princeton on January 29, 2011, at the age of 95. He is remembered as a significant composer and a pioneer in electronic music.