Edward R. Nelson
American born composer-pianist-educator, Edward R. Nelson, reflects the American and European tradition of music and musicians. His career has always been in service to other. His untiring work is evident in his dedication as a music educator and administrator in the Elizabeth Public Schools, New Jersey, for thirty-one years. During that time he developed, directed and supervised one of the most comprehensive and successful large urban school Fine and Performing Arts programs in the United States, with a staff of one hundred teachers serving over eighteen thousand students.
In 2000, Mr. Nelson retired as District Supervisor of the Fine and Performing Arts in Elizabeth, New Jersey in order to devote his time to composition in all mediums. As a result, many new musical compositions have been written by him, especially for piano solo.
Mr. Nelson received his early training in music from his grandfather, Abraham Nelson, who was a renowned pianist and teacher. Edward R. Nelson's training was both rigorous and comprehensive. This training laid the groundwork for his future life as a prolific composer, pianist, and inspired educator.
As a young man of seventeen, Mr. Nelson won a scholarship to attend the famed Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he studied with world renowned piano virtuoso, Robert Goldsand, earning a Bachelor of Music Degree and two Masters Degrees in Performance and Music Education. However, his talent as a composer, as well as a gifted pianist, was noted during that time. Dr. Goldsand encouraged his young student to expand his efforts in the area of musical composition. Many others did the same. His musical compositions have been performed with great success by pianist, vocalists, chamber ensembles and choruses. In 1996, before and audience of three thousand New York music enthusiasts in Carnegie Hall, the great Argentine-American pianist, Ana Maria Trenchi Bottazzi, performed his "Prelude No. IV" with great success.
Prelude No. IV for piano was written in 1990 and was dedicated to Ana Maria Trenchi Bottazzi. It became the centerpiece of a new set of Ten Preludes for Piano written in 2005.
Prelude No. IV is based on a single recurring theme that is varied and developed in an intricate yet easily understandable free style. This soulful prelude requires a consistently prominent singing tone. It is both technically and musically challenging. However, when it is performed by a master, it can leave the listener with a memorable and lasting impression of great beauty.
Because of Mr. Nelson's outstanding reputation as a leader in Arts Education, he has given lectures and workshops for Music Educators National Conference and the National Education Association. Most recently, he has been asked to give workshops for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Mr. Nelson is recognized nationally and internationally as a powerful leader in the field of Arts Education. He continues to motivate his colleagues and students to strive for excellence and to achieve success in their respective chosen fields of artistic endeavor.