Born in New York City in 1909, Siegmeister studied composition in Paris with Nadia Boulanger in the 1920s, after which he returned to New York to initiate his career as a composer, writer and champion of the contemporary American music scene. He immersed himself in the expressive potential of the American folksong, becoming one of a handful of native composers who gave rise to a distinctly “American” style of music in the 20th century. With the piano, Siegmeister found one of his most potent vehicles for creative expression. His synthesis of dense musical textures with obvious jazz and folk elements achieved dramatic intensity while maintaining a direct link to a broad audience. Tonal effects unique to all his solo piano music include hammered notes, tone-clusters, plucked strings and harmonics.