Michael Sahl

Michael Sahl (September 2, 1934 – March 29, 2018) was an American composer, pianist, and music director known for his eclectic and polystylistic approach to music.

Early life and education Sahl was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. from Amherst College in 1955 and an M.F.A. from Princeton University in 1957, studying under Milton Babbitt and Roger Sessions. He later studied with Luigi Dallapiccola in Florence on a Fulbright fellowship, and with composers including Israel Citkowitz, Lukas Foss, and Aaron Copland.

Career In the 1960s, Sahl began composing film scores and served as a creative associate at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Sahl began collaborating with Eric Salzman during their graduate studies in composition at Princeton University, forming an alliance that would span decades and produce numerous music theater works.

Musical style Sahl's music is characterized by its polystylistic nature, combining jazz chords, romantic melodies, electric instruments, and influences from rock, tango, and blues.

Selected works Dramatic works Biograffiti (1974) The Conjuror (1975) Civilization and Its Discontents (1977) Boxes (1982–83) Dream Beach (1988) Body Language (1995–96)

Orchestral and chamber music Five symphonies (1971–1983) Violin Concerto (1974) String Quartet (1969) Piano Sonata (1972) Doina for Violin, Piano, Double Bass, and Drums (1979) Jungles for Electric Violin, Electric Guitar, Piano, Double Bass, and Drums (1992)