Michael Sahl

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Michael Sahl
Born(1934-09-02)September 2, 1934
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died(2018-03-29)March 29, 2018 (aged 83)
New York City, U.S.
EducationAmherst College, Princeton University
Occupation(s)Composer, Pianist, Music director

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

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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.[1] He later studied with Luigi Dallapiccola in Florence on a Fulbright fellowship, and with composers including Israel Citkowitz, Lukas Foss, and Aaron Copland.[2]

Career

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In the 1960s, Sahl began composing film scores and served as a creative associate at the State University of New York at Buffalo.[1] He was pianist and music director for Judy Collins (1968–69) and later music director of WBAI-FM in New York City (1972–73). During his tenure, Sahl served as producer of the station’s Free Music Store concert series, which featured experimental and contemporary performances.[3][4]

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.[3] Their joint works include Biograffiti (1974), The Conjuror (1975), and Civilization and Its Discontents (1977), which won the Prix Italia in 1980.[1] They also co-authored Making Changes: A Practical Guide to Vernacular Harmony (1977), which explored accessible approaches to musical composition.[5]

Musical style

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Sahl’s music is characterized by its polystylistic nature, combining jazz chords, romantic melodies, electric instruments, and influences from rock, tango, and blues.[2] His rejection of serialism and academic elitism led him to develop a populist style that resonated with broader audiences. Music critic Kyle Gann coined the term “Sahlesque” to describe this unique aesthetic.[6]

Selected works

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Dramatic works

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

Orchestral and chamber music

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Michael Sahl". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Michael Sahl (2015). "Interview with Michael Sahl". In Neil Verma (ed.). Sound and the City. University of Illinois Press. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  3. ^ a b John Rockwell (February 10, 1978). "Setting the Deluge to Music". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  4. ^ "Four-handed piano music: acoustic and electric (Episode 1 of 33)". Pacifica Radio Archives. WBAI. 1971. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  5. ^ Michael Sahl and Eric Salzman (1977). Making Changes: A Practical Guide to Vernacular Harmony. G. Schirmer.
  6. ^ "Michael Sahl: Not Nice Music". NotNiceMusic.com. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
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