Walter Piston

About

Pulitzer Prize-winning classical composer and music professor at Harvard University from 1926 until 1960. His first published score, "Three Pieces for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon," was released in 1925.

Before Fame

He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, having studied with Edward Ballantine and Edward Burlingame Hill. He lived in Paris from 1924 until 1926.

Trivia

He wrote four books on the subject of music theory considered essential in their respective fields.

Family Life

His grandfather Antonio Pistone was a sailor who adjusted his name to Anthony after moving to America.

Associated With

He taught many future notables at Harvard, including Leonard Bernstein, Elliott Carter, and Leroy Anderson.