Description: The music of Vivian Fine spans most of the twentieth century. Her first piece was composed in 1926 as an assignment for her theory teacher, Ruth Crawford. Since then she has never stopped writing. Her most recent piece, the Memoirs of Uliana Rooney, an opera about a feisty feminist composer, was written in 1994. As a young woman Fine was showing all the signs of a successful composer -- her music was performed in Chicago, New York, Germany, and South America; she was reviewed; and Cowell published some of her scores in New Music. Nevertheless, Fine experienced obstacles as a woman composer. There were many times when she felt she was alone and isolated from musical activity, and it was not until she was fifty six that Fine was appointed to the faculty at Bennington College.

Fine's music has consistently won her praise. In this biography, Heidi Von Gunden explores Fine's life and her music. The body of the work covers Fine's long life and career, and is followed by several useful resources including a chronology, catalog, discography, and bibliography.

Please Wait