Tyshawn Sorey, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a former Opera Philadelphia composer in residence, recently got the call that he was being awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music, writes Javier C. Hernandez for The New York Times. 

The honor validates Sorey’s career approach of challenging perceptions of musical styles.

This was put on display when he set out to write a concerto for saxophone and orchestra several years ago, called “Adagio (For Wadada Leo Smith),” in which he instructed the soloist and orchestra to play very softly and at an unhurried tempo of 36 quarter notes per minute.

“I’m not interested in having a typical experience,” Sorey said. “I just wanted to create a work that kind of gets us to let the music wash over us, and lets us take our time in listening to it.”

The Pulitzer committee praised the piece for its wide range of textures, slow tempo, quiet intensity, and treasuring intimacy.

He is still coming to terms with his Pulitzer Prize win, but is inspired to live up to the standard set by previous winners.

“How do I continue to reflect that legacy? How can I strive to that level of being?” Sorey said. “It’s something that I will forever take with me.”

Read more about Tyshawn Sorey’s unique musical style at The New York Times.

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