Gerald Levinson (b. Westport, Connecticut, June 22 1951) has become a leader in the field of contemporary music.
At university, he studied with George Crumb, Richard Wernick, and George Rochberg. After college, Levinson went to study with the famous French composer Olivier Messiaen. He was inspired by Messiaen's use of birdsong and his unique harmonic ideas. Levinson has also worked with other visionaries such as Simon Rattle, Ralph Shapey, and Seiji Ozawa.
His works include Anahata, Symphony No. 2, and Black Magic/White Magic (1981), a collaboration with his wife, poet Nanine Valen. Numerous CDs of his music have been released, and his scores are published by Theodore Presser.
Levinson, now living near Philadelphia, is a professor of music at Swarthmore College. His works have previously been performed by orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A new work by Levinson will be debuting at the Philadelphia Orchestra in its 2005-2006 season. He has two children, Adam Valen Levinson, and Ari Valen Levinson.