Deriving an interest in rhythm and percussion from her South American childhood, Joan Tower took her doctorate at Columbia and served for some years as pianist in her Da Capo Ensemble, in 1972 joining the faculty of Bard College, where she serves as professor. Writing at first principally using serial techniques, she has broadened her style, notably through the influence of her contemporaries and of Messiaen and George Crumb. Her instrumental compositions reflect her own practical experience as a performer and are often written with particular players in mind.

Orchestral Music

Joan Tower's Music for Cello and Orchestra was written for André Emelianoff, while other works have evocative rather than programmatic titles, as in the case of the single-movement Silver Ladders and Sequoia.

Interview with Joan Tower

You can click here to stream an interview in which Joan Tower talks about the new Naxos recording of her Made in America. The segment is part of the Naxos Classical Music Spotlight podcast series, also available on Naxos.com or through iTunes.

Discography