Henri Lazarof

Henri Lazarof (1932-2013) was a distinguished composer and music educator, serving as Professor of Music at UCLA from 1962 until his retirement in 1987, later becoming Professor Emeritus. He held dual roles as an academic and creator, actively composing over 126 works including symphonies, concertos, and chamber pieces. His career spanned collaborations with global ensembles like the Berlin Philharmonic and Utah Symphony, earning accolades such as the Prince Rainier Prize and a Grammy nomination.

• Education:
  • Began studies in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Tel Aviv, Israel
  • Studied under Paul Ben-Haim and Goffredo Petrassi
  • MFA in Composition from Brandeis University (1959)

Research Interests: Lazarof specialized in contemporary orchestral and chamber music, emphasizing innovative instrumental combinations, dynamic textures, and rhythmic complexity. His style evolved constantly, blending modernist techniques with classical structures.

Notable Works: His compositions, such as Structures Sonores (La Scala Award, 1968), Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, and Symphony, showcased technical mastery and boundary-pushing creativity. Later works like Divertimento II (1992) highlighted his enduring innovation.

• Accolades: Grammy nomination, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, international composition prizes
• Residencies: Composer-in-Residence roles in Berlin (1971), Tanglewood (1979)

Labs/Teams: Collaborated with ensembles like the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, UCLA Contemporary Music Festival, and Utah Symphony under conductor Maurice Abravanel.