David Ott (born July 5, 1947) is an American composer of

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...

. Born in

Crystal Falls, Michigan Crystal Falls is a city and the county seat of Iron County, Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,469. The city is located within Crystal Falls Township, but is a separate municipal entity. The area first developed as a maj ...

, Ott's works include four symphonies, an opera (''The Widows Lantern''), the ''Annapolis Overture'', written for the

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO), located in Annapolis, Maryland, has been in operation since 1962. Its founders include Kenneth W. Page, a well-respected civic leader in the Annapolis area during the 1960s who was also the music director o ...

, and various pieces of

children's music Children's music or kids' music is music composed and performed for children. In European-influenced contexts this means music, usually songs, written specifically for a juvenile audience. The composers are usually adults. Children's music has hi ...

. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music (four times) and the Grammys (twice). The premiere of his ''Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra'', performed by the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich, gained Ott the 1988 nomination. He graduated from the

University of Wisconsin-Platteville A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, the ...

in 1969. He received his master's degree at Indiana University, and his PhD in music at the University of Kentucky. Ott has served on the faculties of

Houghton College Houghton University is a private Christian liberal arts college in Houghton, New York. Houghton was founded in 1883 by Willard J. Houghton and is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church.

in New York,

Pfeiffer College Pfeiffer University is a private university in Misenheimer, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. History Pfeiffer originated from a home school operated by Miss Emily Prudden in the late 19th century. The school ...

in North Carolina, and

DePauw University DePauw University is a private liberal arts university in Greencastle, Indiana. It has an enrollment of 1,972 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the G ...

in Indiana, being honored as Outstanding Professor at two of these institutions. He also held the appointment of Pace Eminent Scholar and Composer in Residence at the

University of West Florida The University of West Florida (West Florida or UWF) is a public university in Pensacola, Florida. Established in 1963 as part of the State University System of Florida, the university sits on the third largest campus in the State University Sy ...

. David Ott was the founder (2001) and director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Northwest Florida, until it disbanded in 2008. Ott's opera, ''The Widow's Lantern'', premiered September 26, 2009, and was performed by the

Pensacola Opera The Pensacola Opera is an American opera company located in Pensacola, Florida Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 20 ...

. After the premiere, Dr. Ott was seriously injured when he fell 14 feet into the basement below the orchestra pit. His newest work, Symphony No. 5, was premiered with th
Reston Community Orchestra
(Reston, Virginia) on November 22, 2009. On January 10, 2013, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported that Ott had recently started a foundation, Music for Healing, to bring music to the sick and elderly in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Discography

* David Ott: ''Symphony No. 2'', ''Symphony No. 3'', Koss Classics KC-3301, 1993.

Grand Rapids Symphony The Grand Rapids Symphony is a professional orchestra located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1930, the Symphony is celebrating its 90th anniversary season in 2019-20. In 2006, its recording ''Invention and Alchemy'' was nominated for ...

, Catherine Comet, cond. * David Ott: ''The Water Garden'', Koss Classics KC-1023, 1995. Includes ''The Water Garden'' (symphonic poem, 9'33"), ''Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra'' (3 mvt., 23'57"), and ''Music of the Canvas'' (Three symphonic sketches representing paintings by

Richard Pousette-Dart Richard Warren Pousette-Dart (June 8, 1916 – October 25, 1992) was an American abstract expressionist artist most recognized as a founder of the New York School of painting.Kimmelman, Michae"Richard Pousette-Dart, 76, Dies; An Early Abstract E ...

, commissioned by the

Indianapolis Museum of Art The Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) is an encyclopedic art museum located at Newfields, a campus that also houses Lilly House, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park: 100 Acres, the Gardens at Newfields, the Beer Garden, and more. It i ...

, 26'15"). Performed by the

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is an American symphony orchestra based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The orchestra performs primarily at the Bradley Symphony Center in Allen-Bradley Hall. The orchestra also serves as the orchestra for Florentine ...

Zdeněk Mácal Zdeněk Mácal (; born 8 January 1936) is a Czech people, Czech Conducting, conductor. Mácal was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and began violin lessons with his father at the age of four. He later attended the Brno Conservatory and the Janáč ...

, Cond., Solo cellists in the concerto are Daniel Laufer and Wolfgang Laufer. * American Journeys David Ott: Concerto for alto flute and strings; Piano concerto No. 2. Franz Liszt/John Adams: The Black Gondola. Ferruccio Busoni/John Adams: Berceuse élégiaque.

Gisele Ben-Dor Gisèle Ben-Dor ( Buka; born 26 April 1955) is an American Israeli orchestra conductor of Uruguayan origin. Conductor Ben-Dor was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, to Polish Jewish immigrant parents. She graduated from the Rubin Academy of Music, Te ...

, conductor. Christine Michelle Smith, flutist. Frederick Moyer, piano.

London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's orchestras, symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's ...

. JRI Recordings, 1998.

References

External links

David Ott website

"New Opera by Former Prof. David Ott Premieres Tonight in Florida" - DePauw University

"Former Depauw Prof. David Ott Now Maestro of Florida's Panama City POPS" - Depauw University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ott, David 1947 births Living people People from Crystal Falls, Michigan American male composers 21st-century American composers DePauw University faculty University of Wisconsin–Platteville alumni Indiana University alumni Pfeiffer University Musicians from Michigan Houghton University faculty 21st-century American male musicians