Persichetti, Vincent

Persichetti, Vincent, 1915–87, American composer, b. Philadelphia. Persichetti taught at the Philadelphia Conservatory and at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. His music is notable for polytonal combinations, contrapuntal density, and incisive rhythm. He wrote nine symphonies, numerous ballet and chamber works, and choral compositions. Persichetti is the author of Twentieth-Century Harmony (1961).