Charles Mills

Biography

Charles (Borromeo) Mills (b. Asheville, N. Carolina, Jan. 8, 1914; d NY,  March 7, 1982), was an American composer.  Played in jazz bands from age 17.  In 1933 he went to N.Y. and engaged in serious study of music, first with Max Garfield and then with Copland (1935–37), Sessions (1937–39), and Harris (1939–41). Winner of several prizes including the Guggenheim fellowship in 1952.  He composed chamber and orchestral works including film music and ballets, and vocal music including sacred choral works. He wrote mostly in a severe but eloquent contrapuntal style; in virtually his entire career as a composer, he pursued the ideal of formal cohesion; his style of composition may be described as Baroque a l’americaine. In his later works, Mills gradually adopted serial methods.  His quest for artistic self-discipline led him to the decision to become a Roman Catholic. He was baptized according to the Roman Catholic rite on May 14, 1944. He was commissioned by Mitropoulos to compose work for NYPO, 1951. Principal works include 6 symphonies; piano concerto; flute concerto; Theme and Variations for orchestra; oboe concertino; and many chamber works, some involving jazz ensembles.

Mills began affiliation with American Composers Alliance in 1955, with the signed recommendations of Copland, Cowell, and Carter.

 

 

  • ACE Publications

    86 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Charles Mills BALLAD OF TREES AND THE MASTER
    satb
    Charles Mills BERCEUSE FOR VIOLIN & PIANO vln,pf
    Charles Mills BRASS PIANO 3tpt, 3tbn, opt drms
    Charles Mills BRASS QUINTET 2tpt,hn, 2tbn
    Charles Mills BREEZY POINT PIPINGS
    2 recorders (descant and treble)
    Charles Mills BUTTERFLY CAUGHT IN THE WIND msop, pf
    Charles Mills CANTICLE OF THE SUN high voice,pf
    Charles Mills CANTICUM NOVUM
    SATB
    Charles Mills CHAMBER CONCERTO FOR TEN INSTRUMENTS 1-1-1-1, 2hn, str: 2-1-1-0
    Charles Mills CHANT AND DANCE FOR PIANO pf
    Charles Mills CHANT AND HYMN FOR OBOE SOLO
    Charles Mills CHRIST CHILD med voice, pf
    Charles Mills COCOBOLO CANTICLE
    tenor recorder
    Charles Mills CONCERTINO FOR OBOE & STRINGS ob,str orch
    Charles Mills CONCERTO FOR PIANO & ORCH pf, orch: 3/pic-2-eh-2-bcl-2-cbsn; 4-3-2-1; timp; str
    Charles Mills CONCERTO SERENO FOR WOODWIND OCTET 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bns
    Charles Mills CONSTANT LOVER, THE ttbb
    Charles Mills CRAZY HORSE SYMPHONY (SYMPH. NO.4)
    orch: 3-2-eh-2-bcl-2-cbsn, 4-4-3-0, timp, str
    Charles Mills DUO ECLOGUE tenor recorder, organ
    Charles Mills DUO FANTASIE, Op 90 vcl,pf
    Charles Mills EVERLASTING CONTENDERS, THE msop,pf
    Charles Mills EXPIRATION, THE med vc, pf
    Charles Mills FIVE MOONS OF URANUS Tenor Recorder, piano
    Charles Mills FLO voice,pf

    Additional Works