His Music
Dello Joio's early works already reveal certain characteristics of his style. He likes to use traditional chants as a cantus firmus with richly contrapuntal settings. It is amusing, but not at all incongruous, to find Gregorian melodies and jazzy rhythms rubbing shoulders, for they are blended in a creatively spontaneous texture.
The Ruby (1953), which is based on a "thriller" and is genuine blood-and-thunder music, has more dramatic drive and impact than the other more subtle and refined works. Dello Joio is not slavishly imitative of classic forms, and often, in his sonatas, develops new procedures. But his design is always clear; he never wanders, even when he is a bit prolix. He is especially happy in his variation technique.
One of the most notable uses of his music is his score for choreographer Martha Graham's Diversion of Angels.
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