Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987) was an American composer, pianist, and teacher. He began studying piano, organ, double bass, and theory at the Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia at only five years old, and remained a student there until he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree. He was hired after graduation to teach composition and theory, which he did in tandem with pursuing degrees in piano and composition at the Philadelphia Conservatory and conducting at the Curtis Institute of Music. He became head of the composition and theory departments at the Philadelphia Conservatory in 1941, and taught there until 1962. In 1947, he was invited to join the faculty at the Juilliard School, where he worked for over forty years.

Over the course of his career, Persichetti composed many works in a variety of genres. His compositional style drew from a number of stylistic influences and is characterized by a dichotomy between “gritty” and “graceful,” polytonality, pandiatonicism, strong rhythms, and the influence of jazz. As a skilled pianist, he composed a number of important works for the instrument, including the Piano Quintet, 12 piano sonatas, and the Concerto for Piano - Four Hands, among many others. The difficulty of his work ranged from amateur to virtuosic. He also composed nine symphonies, three string quartets, an opera, fourteen works for wind ensemble, and a collection of twenty-five instrumental works called Parables. 

Persichetti also wrote Twentieth Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice, an important theory book for composers, and a monograph about William Schuman. He was also a widely respected lecturer. He was the recipient of many awards, including three Guggenheim Fellowships and several grants from art institutions. He died in 1987 in Philadelphia, after impressive and lasting contributions to the world of classical music, particularly the piano and wind ensemble repertory as well as music education.