American composer Charles Wuorinen (born 1938) has been described as a musical maximalist, writing music that is rich in pitches, events, cross references and allusions in an effort to achieve a two-way communication with hs public. He has also had a career as a pianist and is a noted conductor of his own music. Wuorinen was the youngest winner ever of the Pulitzer prize in music. He is one of the most frequently performed of contemporary American composers.