Fine, Vivian, 1913-2000

Vivian Fine (b. Sept. 28, 1913, in Chicago; d. Mar. 20, 2000, in Bennington, Vt.) was an American composer, pianist, and educator.

From the description of Vivian Fine music manuscripts, 1927-2004 (bulk 1929-1994). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71128297

Commissioned for the San Francisco Symphony's 1982-83 season by Dr. and Mrs. Ralph I. Dorfman.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Drama for orchestra : after paintings by Edvard Munch / Vivan Fine. [1982]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 173182040

Composer.

From the description of Reminiscences of Vivian Fine : oral history, 1978. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122587216

Biographical Note

• 1913, Sept. 28: Born, Chicago, to Russian-Jewish immigrants Rose and David Fine
• 1918: Began piano studies with mother Became youngest student ever to receive a scholarship from the Chicago Musical College
• 1924 - 1926 : Studied piano with Djane Lavoie-Herz, former student of Scriabin
• 1926: Composed first work, Lullaby, for piano
• 1926 - 1928 : Studied harmony and composition with Ruth Crawford and counterpoint with Adolf Weidig at American Conservatory in Chicago Met Henry Cowell, Dane Rudhyar, and Imre Weisshauss, who became early supporters
• 1929: Solo for Oboe premiered at Carnegie Hall
• 1931: Moved to New York City Dance accompanist, Gluck-Sandor Dance Theater and other studios
• 1932: Became member of Aaron Copland's Young Composers' Group Premiere of Four Polyphonic Pieces for Piano at the First Yaddo Festival
• 1934 - 1942 : Studied composition with Roger Sessions
• 1935: Married sculptor Benjamin Karp
• 1937: Helped found The American Composers' Alliance
• 1937 - 1945 : Studied piano with Abby Whiteside
• 1942: Daughter Margaret born
• 1943: Studied orchestration with George Szell
• 1945 - 1948 : Faculty member, piano department, New York University, New York, N.Y.
• 1948: Adjunct faculty member, literature and materials, Juilliard School, New York, N.Y. Moved to New Paltz, New York Daughter Nina born
• 1953 - 1960 : Artistic director, Rothschild Foundation
• 1964 - 1987 : Teacher, composition, Bennington College, Bennington, Vt.
• 1980: Elected to the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters
• 2000, Mar. 20: Died, Bennington, Vermont

From the guide to the Vivian Fine Music Manuscripts, 1927-2004, (bulk 1929-1994), (Music Division Library of Congress)