American Composer David Tcimpidis has Died, Aged 85

Tcimpidis’ compositions of various genres are published by Carl Fischer, GIA publications, and Willis Music

Born in 1938, David Tcimpidis studied at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Mannes College of Music, and New York’s Queens College.

A Ford Foundation fellow, Tcimpidis wrote many multigenre works, which have been published by Carl Fischer, GIA publications, and Willis Music. He also wrote scores for WABC, CBS Network Television, and the New York Theater.

Performed across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, his music has been described as Neo-Impressionistic, due to his original use of expressive musical colors, plus impressionistic and allusive elements.

He was a longtime member of the Mannes College faculty, where he taught composition and coordinated the school’s composition activities, and taught composition every summer at the California Summer Music program.

Additionally, he was a judge and trustee for New Music For Young Ensembles, and was a founding member of the New York-based composers’ group, Music Under Construction.

“There are so many people around the world who were touched by my dad’s life, teaching and music,” his son Chris posted on Facebook. Between the Mannis College of Music, the seminary, the churches where he was organist/choir director there are more people than I can remember, count or know. The only way I know to share his passing is by copying this post I prepared for his page.

“It is with a broken heart that I inform you of the passing of my dad. He had been suffering from many issues related to dementia for the last few years. Friday his platelet count started to fall and he was admitted to the hospital. Last night he suffered a stroke/aneurysm on both sides of his brain and did not recover. 

“His last adventure was moving to Alaska to retire in the shadow of Lazy Mountain with Carol [his wife], Cheryl [daughter-in-law], Chris Jr [youngest grandson] and myself. He loved it in Alaska and often wondered what he had done so right to retire here.”

Our condolences to Mr. David Tcimpidis’ family, friends, students, and colleagues.