Duke, Vernon

Duke, Vernon

born Oct. 10, 1903, Parfyanovka, near Pskov, Russia
died Jan. 16, 1969, Santa Monica, Calif., U.S.

Russian-born U.S. composer.

He fled Russia at age 16, settling in Constantinople. From there he visited the U.S., where George Gershwin suggested his new name and advised him not to be afraid of "going low-brow." He composed classical works in Europe, including Zéphyr et Flore (1925) for the Ballets Russes but returned to the U.S. in 1929. With lyricists including Edgar Harburg and Howard Dietz, he wrote music for shows (including Walk a Little Faster, 1932) and movies (including Cabin in the Sky, 1943, and Sadie Thompson, 1944). His songs include "April in Paris," "Taking a Chance on Love," and "Banjo Eyes."

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▪ American composer
original name  Vladimir Aleksandrovich Dukelsky  
born Oct. 10, 1903, Parfyanovka, near Pskov, Russia
died Jan. 16, 1969, Santa Monica, Calif., U.S.

      Russian-born American composer noted for his sophisticated melodies for films, Broadway musicals, and revues. Among his most popular songs are “April in Paris” from the revue Walk a Little Faster (1932) and “I Can't Get Started” from Ziegfeld Follies of 1936.

      After training at the Kiev Conservatory, Dukelsky at age 16 fled the Russian Revolution and settled in Constantinople (now Istanbul). Impressed upon hearing George Gershwin's (Gershwin, George) “Swanee,” he developed a lasting interest in American popular music. In 1921 he traveled to the United States and met Gershwin, who suggested the Americanization of his name and advised him, “Do not be scared about going low-brow.” However, Duke returned to Europe and concentrated on classical music, composing the ballet Zéphyr et Flore (1925) for Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes as well as two symphonies.

      Duke settled in the United States in 1929, and throughout the 1930s he composed background music for films and theatrical productions. His lyricists included John Latouche, E.Y. Harburg, Ira Gershwin, Ogden Nash, and Howard Dietz. His song “Banjo Eyes” was adopted by the comedian Eddie Cantor as his theme. In 1940 Duke received critical acclaim for his score for Cabin in the Sky (filmed 1943), a musical with an all-black cast that featured Ethel Waters.

      In 1944 Duke composed the score to Sadie Thompson. He translated American popular songs into Russian for Radio Liberty broadcasts to the Soviet Union; wrote his autobiography, Passport to Paris (1955); and in 1957 composed music for the Broadway production of Jean Anouilh's Time Remembered.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Duke, Vernon — orig. Dukelsky, Vladímir Alexandrovich (10 oct. 1903, Parfianovka, cerca de Pskov, Rusia–16 ene. 1969, Santa Mónica, Cal., EE.UU.). Compositor estadounidense de origen ruso. Huyó de su país natal a los 16 años de edad y se estableció en… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Vernon Duke — (OldStyleDate|10 October|1903|27 September January 16, 1969) was a Russian American composer/songwriter, who also wrote under his original name Vladimir Dukelsky. He is best known for Taking a Chance on Love with lyrics by Ted Fetter and John… …   Wikipedia

  • Vernon Duke — Vladimir Dukelsky (Parafianovo, Bielorrusia (entonces parte del imperio ruso, 10 de octubre de 1903 Santa Mónica, California, 16 de enero de 1969), más conocido como Vernon Duke, fue un compositor ruso afincado en Estados Unidos, muy conocido por …   Wikipedia Español

  • duke — /doohk, dyoohk/, n., v., duked, duking. n. 1. (in Continental Europe) the male ruler of a duchy; the sovereign of a small state. 2. a British nobleman holding the highest hereditary title outside the royal family, ranking immediately below a… …   Universalium

  • Duke — /doohk, dyoohk/, n. 1. Benjamin Newton, 1855 1929, and his brother, James Buchanan, 1856 1925, U.S. industrialists. 2. a male given name. * * * I European title of nobility, the highest rank below a prince or king except in countries having such… …   Universalium

  • Vernon — /verr neuhn/, n. 1. Edward ( Old Grog ), 1684 1757, British admiral. 2. a town in N Connecticut. 27,974. 3. a city in S British Columbia, in SW Canada. 19,987. 4. a city in N Texas. 12,695. 5. a male given name: from a Latin word meaning… …   Universalium

  • Vernon — (as used in expressions) Castle, Vernon e Irene Vernon Blythe e Irene Foote Duke, Vernon Mount Vernon Shepp, Archie (Vernon) …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Duke — (as used in expressions) Duke, James B(uchanan) Duke, Universidad de Duke, Vernon Ellington, Duke …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Vernon Duke — Vladimir Dukelsky Photographié en 1937 Nom de naissance Vladimir Alexandrovitch Dukelsky (Владимир Александрович Дукельский) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Vernon Duke — (* 10. Oktober 1903 in Parafjanawa, heute Weißrussland; † 16. Januar 1969 in Santa Monica, geboren als russ. Владимир Александрович Дукельский, Wladimir Aleksandrowitsch Dukelski, engl. Transkription Vladimir Dukelsky;) war ein US amerikanischer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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