Musicians who loved Elliott Carter and his music remember the great composer (who died last month at age 103) by discussing pieces of his music that touched them personally. They show how his long professional relationships with performers illuminated the conversational complexity of his music.

Musicians Remember Elliott Carter

Naxos

Musicians Remember Elliott Carter

Sony

Musicians Remember Elliott Carter

Mode records

Prominent musicians remember American composer Elliott Carter (who would have turned 104 today) through his music. Carter died last month.

Erich Auerbach / Getty Images

Elliott Carter, the celebrated composer who fearlessly forged his own brand of American music for nearly eight decades until he died last month, would have turned 104 years old today. After his death, we began reaching out to musicians who both knew him and had special relationships with his work. Immediately, it was obvious just what a profound impact Carter had on the musicians he met. Many used words like "life changing" to describe Carter the man and the revelatory effects of his sometimes thorny, sometimes serene music. Here are a few testimonials to and remembrances of Carter and his music.

Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

Filed in:

• Music