Norman Dello Joio (1913-2008) was an American composer whose music combined modern discipline with a fundamentally lyrical and tonal outlook. Born in New York into a musical family, he first trained as an organist before studying composition with Paul Hindemith.

His works include operas, orchestral pieces, choral music, chamber works, piano music and band music. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Meditations on Ecclesiastes, and also wrote for television and educational ensembles.

Dello Joio’s style is clear, expressive and accessible without abandoning craft. His organ and church background often shows in his sense of line, counterpoint and ceremonial breadth.

He occupies an important place among mid-century American composers who resisted both academic severity and easy populism. His music speaks plainly, but with a spine under the velvet.