Gerald Levinson

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Gerald Levinson (b. Westport, Connecticut, June 22, 1951) is an American composer of contemporary classical music.

Gerald Levinson in Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center in a portrait taken by Ari Valen Levinson.

At university, he studied with George Crumb, Richard Wernick, and George Rochberg. After college, Levinson went to study with Olivier Messiaen. He was inspired by Messiaen's use of birdsong and his unique harmonic ideas, as well as the musics of Bali and India. Levinson has also worked with Simon Rattle, Ralph Shapey, and Seiji Ozawa.

His notable 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, has taught music at Swarthmore College since 1977. His works have previously been performed by orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A new work for organ and orchestra by Levinson was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in its 2005-2006 season. He has two children, Adam Valen Levinson, and Ari Valen Levinson.