[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E983-E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           HONORING MR. GOULD

                                 ______


                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 10, 1995
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the constituents 
of my district in honoring Mr. Morton Gould, who recently received the 
1994 Pulitzer Prize for Music Composition.
  The work for which he was honored is ``Stringmusic'' which was 
commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and first performed by 
the orchestra here in Washington in March of last year.
  The Pulitzer is just the latest honor conferred on Morton. This past 
December, he was a Kennedy Center honoree for his lifetime 
contributions to American culture through performing arts.
  [[Page E984]] Born in Richmond Hill, NY, on December 10, 1913, Morton 
Gould has been composing and performing as conductor of the major 
symphony orchestras in the United States and throughout the world for 
most of the 20th century. His first published composition appeared in 
1920 when he was just 6 years old.
  By the time he was 21, Morton was conducting and arranging a weekly 
series of orchestra radio programs for the
 WOR Mutual Network on which many of his orchestral settings were 
introduced.

  A gifted composer, his work is characterized by its distinctively 
American flavor; it incorporates folk, blues, jazz, gospel, and western 
elements with the classic symphonic form. Among his more popular 
symphonic works are ``Latin-American Symphonette,'' ``Jekyll and Hyde 
Variations,'' ``Spirituals for Orchestra,'' ``American Salute,'' ``Tap 
Dance Concerto,'' and ``Derivations for Clarinet and Band,'' written 
for the late Benny Goodman.
  In addition to the National Symphony Orchestra, his music has been 
commissioned by other major symphony orchestras, the Library of 
Congress, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the American 
Ballet Theatre, and the New York City Ballet.
  Morton's talents are not limited to the symphonic mode. His Broadway 
credits include the musicals ``Arms and the Girl'' and ``Billion Dollar 
Baby'' while his film scores include ``Windjammer,'' ``Delightfully 
Dangerous'' and ``Cinerama Holiday.'' His scores composed for 
television include ``Holocaust,'' ``F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood'' 
and CBS's ``World War I'' documentary series.
  His list of credits is virtually endless. At age 81 he lives in Great 
Neck, NY, where he still is actively composing works which have been 
commissioned by major orchestras.
  It is a pleasure to salute Morton Gould and bring the latest honor 
bestowed on this true American icon to the attention of our colleagues.


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