Education
At university, he studied with George Crumb, Richard Wernick, and George Rochberg.
At university, he studied with George Crumb, Richard Wernick, and George Rochberg.
After college, Levinson went to study composition with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatory. He was inspired by Messiaen"s use of birdsong and his unique harmonic ideas, as well as the musics of Bali and India. Levinson has also worked with Simon Rattle, Ralph Shapey, and Seiji Ozawa.
His notable works include Anahata, Symphony Number.
Numerous CDs of his music have been released, and his scores are published by Theodore Presser. He has taught music at Swarthmore College since 1977.
A new work for organ and orchestra by Levinson was premiered by the Philadelphia Orchestra in its 2005-2006 season. He has two children, Adam Valen Levinson, and Ari Valen Levinson.