Ralph Shapey

Ralph Shapey (1921-2002) was an American composer and conductor, born in Philadelphia. He studied violin with Emanuel Zeitlin and composition with Stefan Wolpe. From 1964 to 1991 he taught at the University of Chicago, where he founded the Contemporary Chamber Players. In 1992 the Pulitzer music jury chose his Concerto Fantastique, but the Pulitzer board overruled it and gave the prize to Wayne Peterson. Shapey led the Contemporary Chamber Players, a new music ensemble, from 1964 into the 1990s, and also guest conducted orchestras in America and Europe.