Michael Daugherty
21st Century · 1954–
Michael Daugherty writes concert music out of American pop mythology. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1954, the son of a dance-band drummer, he grew up playing in rock and jazz groups, studied composition on both sides of the Atlantic, and has taught for decades at the University of Michigan while orchestras around the country commission and program his work.
His pieces take their spark from icons of American culture. The Metropolis Symphony, his breakthrough, draws its five movements from the world of Superman comics; other works have taken on Elvis, Route 66, and the space race. The style is bright, rhythmic, and unashamedly fun, built with real orchestral craft underneath.
Start with the Metropolis Symphony. You do not need to know the comics to enjoy it, but if you do, the movement titles are a bonus.
35 works in the catalog, across 3 genres. Log what you listen to with Opus, the classical music journal for iPhone.
Chamber
- Dead Elvis, for bassoon, clarinet, trumpet, trombone,violin, double bass and percussion
- Jackie's Song, for cello and chamber ensemble
- Snapl for chamber ensemble
- Spillville Variations on a Theme by Dvorák: Var. 8 Crystal, for flute, viola and guitar
- Timbuktuba, for euphonium and ensemble
Orchestral
- Deus Ex Machina, for piano and orchestra
- Fire and Blood, for violin and orchestra
- Metropolis Symphony
- Bells for Stokowski, for symphonic band
- Bizarro for symphonic winds and percussion
- Brooklyn Bridge, for band
- Desi, for band
- Flamingo, for large ensemble
- Ghost Ranch
- Hell's Angels, for bassoon quartet and orchestra
- Ladder to the Moon, for violin and band
- Le Tombeau de Liberace, for piano and orchestra
- Lost Vegas, for wind band
- MotorCity Triptych
- Motown Metal, for brass ensemble and percussion
- Niagara Falls, for symphonic band
- Philadelphia Stories, for orchestra
- Radio City: Symphonic Fantasy on Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra
- Raise the Roof, for timpani and symphonic band
- Raise the Roof, for timpani and symphonic band
- Red Cape Tango, for band
- Rosa Parks Boulevard
- Route 66
- Sunset Strip
- Sunset Strip, for orchestra
- The Gospel According to Sister Aimee, for organ and orchestra
- Time Machine
- UFO, for percussion and symphonic band
Vocal
- Mount Rushmore, for choir, organ and orchestra
- What's that spell, for 2 sopranos and ensemble
Related composers
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