NED ROREM
Composer and Author

Welcome to the official Ned Rorem fan site.

Browse our links above to learn more about Ned Rorem's life, his musical works, and his impact on American culture.

Thank you for visiting!

About Ned Rorem

Ned Rorem is an American composer and author who was born on October 23, 1923, in Richmond, Indiana. He grew up in Chicago and later attended Northwestern University and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Rorem's musical career began in the late 1940s when he moved to Paris to study composition with Nadia Boulanger. During his time in Paris, he immersed himself in the city's vibrant cultural scene and was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including the works of the French Impressionists, which had a significant influence on his own compositions.

Rorem's music is characterized by its melodic clarity and emotional directness. His output is wide-ranging and includes works for voice, orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. Some of his best-known works include the song cycle "Evidence of Things Not Seen," the orchestral piece "Sunset Strip," and the opera "Our Town," based on Thornton Wilder's play.

In addition to his work as a composer, Rorem is also an accomplished author. He has written several books, including a memoir titled "The Paris Diary" and a collection of essays on music titled "Setting the Tone." His writing often reflects his interest in the intersection between music and literature, and his work has been praised for its wit and insight.

Rorem has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for his song cycle "Air Music," and he has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and a lifetime achievement award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Despite his success, Rorem has remained a somewhat controversial figure in the classical music world. He has been known to criticize the music establishment and has often been outspoken in his views on various aspects of the industry. Nevertheless, his contributions to American music are widely recognized, and he remains a respected and influential figure in the field.