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Tier 3 · vertical & regionalfull biography
Easley Blackwood, Jr.
Person · male · United States · Indianapolis · born 1933 · died 2023 · recording since 1993
American classical pianist (1933–2023)
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Also known as Easley Blackwood · Easley Rutland Blackwood Jr. · 小伊斯利·布萊克伍德
Timeline
12 events▣ Album 8◦ Birth 1✦ Award 1★ Debut release 1† Death 1
1930s
1960s
1990s
· Debut release
Debut release: Symphony no. 5 / Symphony no. 1
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2000s
2020s
Biography
English biography786 words · 4 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1355856547
Biography
Easley Rutland Blackwood Jr. (April 21, 1933 – January 22, 2023) was an American professor of music, concert pianist, composer (sometimes using unusual tunings), and the author of books on music theory, including his research into the properties of microtonal tunings and traditional harmony.
Biography
Blackwood was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 21, 1933. He studied piano there and was doing solo appearances at the age of 14 with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. After studies at many places (including Yale University, where he earned his Master of Arts degree) in the United States, he went to Paris to study from 1954 to 1956. His teachers include Olivier Messiaen, Paul Hindemith, and Nadia Boulanger. For forty years, from 1958 to 1997, Blackwood taught at the University of Chicago, most of the time with the title of Professor. He then became Professor Emeritus at the university.
He received the Quantrell Award.
Blackwood's initial compositions were not particularly unconventional although in them he employed polyrhythm and wide melodic contours. This early music by Blackwood has been characterized as in an atonal yet a formally conservative style. In 1980–81 Blackwood shifted rather abruptly to a new style, releasing Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media. For these pieces, he used microtonality to create unusual equal tempered musical scales. Blackwood has explored all equal temperaments from 13 through 24, including 15-ET and 19-ET.
Although Blackwood recorded most of these pieces with a synthesizer, his "Suite in 15-Note Equal Tuning, Op. 33" was performed live on a specially constructed guitar. His compositional style moved toward a late-19th-century tonality; he has likened its harmonic syntax to Verdi, Ravel, and Franck. As a performer at the piano, Blackwood played diverse compositions and promoted the music of Charles Ives, Pierre Boulez, and the Second Viennese School. In addition to his solo piano performances, Blackwood was pianist in the chamber group Chicago Pro Musica, largely comprising members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Blackwood was known for his book The Structure of Recognizable Diatonic Tunings (Princeton: Princeton University Press; ISBN 0691091293), published in 1985. A number of recordings of his music have been released by Cedille Records (the label of the Chicago Classical Recording Foundation) beginning in the 1990s such as Introducing Easley Blackwood.
Personal life
His father, Easley Blackwood Sr., was a noted contract bridge player and writer.
Blackwood died in Chicago on January 22, 2023, at the age of 89.
Works with Opus Numbers
Sonata No. 1 for Viola and Piano, Op. 1 (1953)
Chamber Symphony for 14 Wind Instruments, Op. 2 (1955)
Symphony No. 1, Op. 3 (1955)
String Quartet No. 1, Op. 4 (1957)
Concertino for 5 Instruments, Op. 5 (1959)
String Quartet No. 2, Op. 6 (1959)
Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Op. 7 (1960)
Fantasy for Cello and Piano, Op. 8 (1960)
Symphony No. 2, Op. 9 (1960)
Chaconne for Carillon, Op. 10 (1961)
Pastorale and Variations for Wind Quintet, Op. 11 (1961)
Sonata for Flute and Harpsichord, Op. 12 (1962)
Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 13 (1964)
Symphony No. 3, Op. 14 (1964)
Fantasy for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, and Piano, Op. 15 (1965)
Three Short Fantasies for Piano, Op. 16 (1965)
Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 17 (1965)
Symphonic Movement for Organ, Op. 18 (1966)
Concerto for Oboe and String Orchestra, Op. 19 (1966)
Un voyage à Cythère for Soprano and 10 Instruments, Op. 20 (1966)
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 21 (1967)
Piano Trio, Op. 22 (1968)
Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra, Op. 23 (1968)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 24 (1970)
Four Letter Scenes from Gulliver for Voices and Electronics, Op. 25 (1972)
Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano, Op. 26 (1975)
Symphony No. 4, Op. 27 (1977)
Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, Op. 28 (1980)
Fanfare for WFMT (electronic), Op. 28a (1981)
Sonata for Guitar, Op. 29 (1983)
Five Concert Etudes for Piano, Op. 30 (1984)
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 31 (1985)
Festival Overture for Steel Band, Op. 31a (1986)
Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 32 (1986)
Suite for Guitar in 15-Note Equal Tuning, Op. 33 (1987)
Symphony No. 5, Op. 34 (1990)
Rondo Caprice for Flute and Guitar, Op. 35 (1992)
Seven Bagatelles for Piano, Op. 36 (1993)
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 37 (1994)
Sonatina for Piccolo Clarinet and Piano, Op. 38 (1994)
Sonatina for Carillon, Op. 39 (1996)
Sonata for Piano, Op. 40 (1996)
Two Nocturnes for Piano, Op. 41 (1996)
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 42 (1998)
Sonata No. 2 for Viola and Piano, Op. 43 (2001)
A King James Magnificat (for choir), Op. 44 (2004)
Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, Op. 45 (2008)
Concerto for 10 Brass, Op. 46 (2011?)
Partita for Harpsichord, Op. 47 (2012, almost complete)
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 8 | 81.1th |
| Studio albums | 8 | 88.9th |
| Awards recorded | 1 | 89th |
| Timeline events | 12 | 88.9th |
| Recording span (years) | 30 | 66.1th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (8 release groups · 8 studio albums)
Albums · 8
Symphony no. 5 / Symphony no. 1
1993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 57:14
1Symphony no. 5, op. 34: I. Allegro inquieto8:042Symphony no. 5, op. 34: II. Molto adagio10:583Symphony no. 5, op. 34: III. Allegro vivo7:014Symphony no. 1, op. 3: I. Andante maestoso - Non troppo allegro ma con spirito9:055Symphony no. 1, op. 3: II. Andante comodo5:516Symphony no. 1, op. 3: III. Allegretto grotesco5:227Symphony no. 1, op. 3: IV. Andante sostenuto10:531994 · studio album
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Tracklist · 17 tracks · 54:14
1Fanfare in 19-note Equal Tuning, op. 28a2:252Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 16 notes: Andantino3:463Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 18 notes: Allegro volando2:304Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 21 notes: Suite in four movements4:485Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 23 notes: Allegro moderato3:176Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 13 notes: Sostenuto3:107Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 15 notes: Lento3:358Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 17 notes: Con moto2:519Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 22 notes: Andante ma non troppo4:3510Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 24 notes: Moderato3:0211Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 14 notes: Allegramente2:4212Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 20 notes: Comodo3:5713Twelve Microtonal Etudes for Electronic Music Media, op. 28: 19 notes: Allegro moderato4:0614Suite for Guitar in 15-note Equal Tuning, op. 33: I. Prélude (Allegro)2:4915Suite for Guitar in 15-note Equal Tuning, op. 33: II. Sarabande (Andante)2:4616Suite for Guitar in 15-note Equal Tuning, op. 33: III. Gavotte (Tempo di gavotta)1:0417Suite for Guitar in 15-note Equal Tuning, op. 33: IV. Gigue (Vivo)2:511996 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:13:47
1Sarcasms, op. 17: I. Tempestoso2:142Sarcasms, op. 17: II. Allegro rubato1:293Sarcasms, op. 17: III. Allegro precipitato1:574Sarcasms, op. 17: IV. Smanioso2:155Sarcasms, op. 17: V. Precipitosissimo2:406Sonata: I. ♩=1123:197Sonata: II. Adagietto4:428Sonata: III. ♩=1122:399Ten Experimental Pieces in Rhythm and Harmony6:3610Sonata, op. 111:4511Three Pieces, op. 59: I. Impromptu2:2612Three Pieces, op. 59: II. Adagio1:5713Three Pieces, op. 59: III. Allegro non troppo3:4814Dans le rêve laissé par la ballade des pendus de Villon6:3415Study no. 208:0816Piano Variations11:181998 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:03:09
1Five Concert Etudes, op. 30: 1. G-sharp minor, Allegro assai3:122Five Concert Etudes, op. 30: 2. E major, Allegretto con moto2:383Five Concert Etudes, op. 30: 3. B minor, Grave4:094Five Concert Etudes, op. 30: 4. E-flat minor, Allegro capriccioso3:455Five Concert Etudes, op. 30: 5. A major, Alla toccata3:006Nocturne in C major, op. 41 no. 13:357Nocturne in A minor, op. 41 no. 24:268Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 1. A major, Veloce e leggerissimo1:389Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 2. G minor, Andante comodo1:0210Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 3. C major, Allegro con brio1:1711Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 4. D minor, Andante comodo1:0812Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 5. C minor, Con anima1:4513Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 6. A-flat major, Un poco adagio2:2014Seven Bagatelles, op. 36: 7. F major, Vivace1:2315Sonata in F-sharp minor, op. 40: I. Un poco allegro8:3816Sonata in F-sharp minor, op. 40: II. Scherzo - Chorale - Scherzo4:2517Sonata in F-sharp minor, op. 40: III. Largo - Molto allegro - Largo8:2818Sonata in F-sharp minor, op. 40: IV. Allegro risoluto6:20String Quartets by Easley Blackwood
2000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:02:18
1String Quartet no. 1, op. 4: I. Largo6:542String Quartet no. 1, op. 4: II. Andante con moto4:373String Quartet no. 1, op. 4: III. Presto con fuoco4:234String Quartet no. 2, op. 6: I. Moderato6:505String Quartet no. 2, op. 6: II. Prestissimo2:576String Quartet no. 2, op. 6: III. Molto lento8:557String Quartet no. 3, op. 42: I. Allegro moderato7:428String Quartet no. 3, op. 42: II. Vivace4:279String Quartet no. 3, op. 42: III. Adagio sostenuto9:1210String Quartet no. 3, op. 42: IV. Allegro deciso6:212003 · studio album
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Tracklist · 17 tracks · 1:17:43
13x2 for Flute and Clarinet: I. Presto1:4323x2 for Flute and Clarinet: II. Adagio espressivo2:4333x2 for Flute and Clarinet: III. Vivace - Fast as Possible0:374Rondo Caprice for Flute and Guitar, op. 3510:065Introduction and Rondo for Flute and Percussion7:276Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, op. 61: I. With Driving Force, Not Fast5:277Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, op. 61: II. Sorrowing3:598Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, op. 61: III. Searching1:149Sonata for Piccolo and Piano, op. 61: IV. Playful4:3510Lux Aeterna for Flute and Viola9:2611Duos for Flute and Clarinet, op. 34: IV. Allegro ma non troppo0:5712Duos for Flute and Clarinet, op. 34: V. Andante molto2:1813Duos for Flute and Clarinet, op. 34: VI. Allegro1:1014Music for Flute and Piano, op. 22c: I. ("Summer") Tranquillo5:1115Music for Flute and Piano, op. 22c: II. ("Autumn") Allegro ben ritmico8:4216Music for Flute and Piano, op. 22c: III. ("Winter haze…") Adagio6:2717Music for Flute and Piano, op. 22c: IV. ("Principio di virtu") Allegro giusto5:41Chamber Music for Piano and Strings
2005 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:10:45
1Second Viola Sonata, op. 43: I. Andantino con moto6:352Second Viola Sonata, op. 43: II. Allegro capriccioso3:583Second Viola Sonata, op. 43: III. Vivace4:074Second Viola Sonata, op. 43: IV. Adagio4:025Second Viola Sonata, op. 43: V. Allegro deciso5:156First Violin Sonata, op. 7: I. Allegro rigoroso6:527First Violin Sonata, op. 7: II. Adagio5:278First Violin Sonata, op. 7: III. Allegro molto4:129Piano Trio, op. 22: I. Allegro moderato5:0710Piano Trio, op. 22: II. Vivace3:0311Piano Trio, op. 22: III. Largo — Allegro8:1612First Viola Sonata, op. 1: I. Adagio quasi sensa misura ma non troppo rubato6:1213First Viola Sonata, op. 1: II. Allegro molto4:5414First Viola Sonata, op. 1: III. Andante tranquillo — Allegro molto e meccanico2:452024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 43:17
116 notes. Andantino3:51218 notes. Allegro volando2:28321 notes. Suite in 4 Movements4:49423 notes. Allegro moderato3:24513 notes. Sostenuto3:19615 notes. Lento3:42717 notes. Con moto2:56822 notes. Andante ma non troppo4:42924 notes. Moderato3:041014 notes. Allegramente2:561120 notes. Comodo4:031219 notes. Allegro moderato4:03
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Easley Blackwood, Jr. head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 9 | 54.3th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 8 | 81.1th |
| Studio albums | 8 | 88.9th |
| Awards recorded | 1 | 89th |
| Timeline events | 12 | 88.9th |
| Recording span (years) | 30 | 66.1th |
| Genres | 4 | 84.7th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Arts and Letters Award in Music | won |
Line-up
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Pro Musica(band) | 1979 | present | original,piano |
Where this record comes from
aliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/090248ec-5c0f-4599-8061-9f0ec4f81322discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/090248ec-5c0f-4599-8061-9f0ec4f81322core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2644646genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2644646seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easley_Blackwood_Jr.biography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easley_Blackwood_Jr.
Why this artist is in the database
- List of composers by name
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Wikidata: Q2644646 · MusicBrainz: 090248ec-5c0f-4599-8061-9f0ec4f81322
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