Corigliano, John Paul [key], 1938–, American composer, b. New York City. The son of New York Philharmonic first violinist and concertmaster John Corigliano, he attended Columbia (B.A., 1959) and the Manhattan School of Music and studied with Paul Creston. Corigliano's compositions, though intentionally accessible, are far from simple; they are generally lyrical, richly rhythmic, and sometimes dissonant. He first came to wide public attention when his first violin sonata (1963), originally written for his father, won the 1964 Spoleto Festival prize. Three of his best-known compositions are concerti—for oboe (1975), clarinet (1977), and flute (Pied Piper Fantasy, 1982). His Symphony No. 1 (Of Rage and Remembrance, 1988) is a memorial for victims of AIDS. Corigliano was particularly acclaimed for his opera The Ghosts of Versailles (1991). His other music for voice includes Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan (2000) and One Sweet Morning (2011), a song cycle for mezzo-soprano and orchestra for the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Other works include Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra (2000; Pulitzer Prize), Symphony No. 3 (Circus Maximus, 2004), and the score for the film The Red Violin (1999; Academy Award).
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