Bolcom, William Elden (1938– )

US composer and pianist. His works have been influenced by techniques of collage and microtonal electronics. As a pianist he has specialized in early 20th-century American music, often collaborating with his wife, the mezzo-soprano Joan Morris.He won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1988 for 12 New Etudes for Piano and three Grammy Awards in 2006 for his musical composition of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience (1984).

Other works include Concert Suite (1998), featuring alto saxophone solos, and the operas A View form the Bridge (1999) and A Wedding (2004).

Bolcom studied at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, and the Paris Conservatory, France.

Works Theatre pieces Dynamite Tonite (1963), Greatshot (1969), Theatre of the Absurd (1970), The Beggar's Opera (adaptation of Gay, 1978), McTeague (1992), A View form the Bridge (1999), A Wedding (2004).

Orchestral Oracles, symphony (1964), piano concerto (1976), violin concerto (1983), Concertante for viola, cello, and orchestra (1985), clarinet concerto (1989).

Chamber symphony for chamber orchestra (1979), octet for wind, strings, and piano (1962), piano quartet (1976), brass quintet (1980), Spring Concerto for oboe and chamber orchestra (1989), Fantasy Suite for piano (1989).

Vocal Songs of Innocence and Experience, 48 Blake settings for solo voices and choruses (1958–81; version with orchestra performed Stuttgart 1984).

Other Session, works for various instrumental groups, with drum play (1965–67), 14 piano rags (1967–70).