The name of Walter Piston has become familiar to generations of music students who have been reared on his text-books on harmony, counterpoint and orchestration. After earlier experience as a dance-band pianist and violinist, and as a wartime saxophonist in the American Navy Band, Piston entered Harvard as a music student in 1919, continuing his studies in Paris with Dukas, Nadia Boulanger and Enescu. He then returned to teach at Harvard, where he became head of the music department and professor.

Orchestral and Chamber Music
Piston’s eight symphonies lie at the heart of his work, reflecting his developing style and his respect for traditional forms. His musical language is generally tonal, while acknowledging, within a tonal context, dodecaphonic fashions. His two violin concertos were dedicated to Ruth Posselt and Joseph Fuchs, respectively, and his 1970 Fantasia for violin and orchestra was commissioned for Salvatore Accardo.

Chamber Music
Piston’s five string quartets span a period from 1933 to 1962 and make up an important part of his chamber music. Other works include a Flute Quintet and Piano Quintet written in the 1940s, and a String Sextet and Piano Quartet written in 1964.