Kurtz, Eugene, 1923-2006

Eugene Allen Kurtz was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 27, 1923. His father was artist and Civil War historian Wilbur G. Kurtz, Sr. Eugene earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Arts in Music from the University of Rochester. He left his studies at the Eastman School in 1943 to serve in World War II, arriving in France in 1944 as part of the 104th Infantry Division and returning in 1947 to finish his education. He settled in Paris in 1952 to study at the École Normale de Musique. There he began teaching and writing for orchestras and chamber ensembles and composing pieces for film, theater, television, and radio. He returned to the United States twice to work as a guest professor in Music Composition at the University of Michigan School of Music. In 1983, he was awarded a National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship grant. He received commissions from the Musical Arts Association of Cleveland, Radio France, the French Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and the University of Michigan. He lived in Paris until his death on July 7, 2006.

From the description of Eugene A. Kurtz papers, 1931-1988, undated. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 768826556