Composer Lukas Foss Dies At Age 86

Composer Lukas Foss, died in his New York home this Sunday. He was 86.

His early works are neoclassical in style, using controlled improvisation and chance procedures with the twelve tone technique.

Some of his works are Piano Concerto Number 1, String Quartet Number 1, and the operas The Jumping Frogs Of Calaveras County and Griffelkin.

Foss was a professor of music at The University Of California and founded the Improvisational Chamber Ensemble. He later taught music and theory at Boston College.

He also traveled widely, appearing as a guest conductor with many American and European Orchestras, and lecturing at many North American colleges and universities, including Harvard and Carnegie Mellon.