John Harris Harbison (born December 20, 1938 in Orange, New Jersey) is a composer, best known for his operas and large choral works.
Life
Harbison won the prestigious BMI Foundation's Student Composer Awards for composition at the age of sixteen in 1954. He studied music at Harvard University, where he sang with the Harvard Glee Club, and later at Princeton. He is an Institute Professor of music at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a former student of Walter Piston and Roger Sessions. His works include several symphonies, string quartets, and concerti for violin, viola, and bass viol (double bass).
He won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1987 for The Flight into Egypt, and in 1998 he was awarded the 4th Annual Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities.[1] In 2006 he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance for his Mottetti di Montale.
The Metropolitan Opera commissioned Harbison's The Great Gatsby to celebrate Maestro James Levine's 25th anniversary with the company. The opera premiered on December 20, 1999, conducted by Levine and starring Jerry Hadley, Dawn Upshaw, Susan Graham, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Mark Baker, Dwayne Croft, and Richard Paul Fink.
Harbison was jointly commissioned by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to write a piece for the historic "Papal Concert of Reconciliation." The event was co-officiated by the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Rav Elio Toaff, the Imam of the Mosque of Rome, Abdulawahab Hussein Gomaa, and Pope John Paul II. Abraham, a six-minute composition for brass and antiphonal choirs, had its world premiere on January 17, 2004, performed by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and a choir made up of members of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the London Philharmonic Choir, the Krakow Philharmonic Choir, and the Ankara Polyphonic Choir, under the baton of Sir Gilbert Levine.
Harbison was previously the principal guest conductor for Emmanuel Music in Boston; after founding director Craig Smith's untimely death in 2007, Harbison was named Acting Artistic Director.
When asked for his "artistic credo" Harbison (1990) replied: "to make each piece different from the others, to find clear, fresh large designs, to reinvent traditions."
He is married to violinist Rose Mary Harbison (née Pederson).
Discography (Incomplete)
- Mirabai Songs / Variations (1987). Northeastern Records NR 230-CD. Performed by Janice Felty, mezzo-soprano, Collage New Music Ensemble, conducted by John Harbison — Rose Mary Harbison, violin; David Satz, clarinet; Ursula Oppens, piano. Tracks 1-6: Mirabai Songs, text from Mirabai Versions by Robert Bly. Tracks 7-10: Variations, for violin, clarinet, and piano. Track Listing:
- I. It's True, I Went to the Market
- II. All I Was Doing Was Breathing
- III. Why Mira Can't Go Back to Her Old House
- IV. Where Did You Go?
- V. The Clouds
- VI. Don't Go, Don't Go
- Variations i-v
- Variations vi-x
- Variations xi-xv
- Finale and Epilogue
- The Flight into Egypt, text from the King James translation of the story of the Flight into Egypt in the Gospel of Matthew
- The Natural World: Prelude
- Where We Must Look for Help, text from Robert Bly
- On the Road Home, text from Wallace Stevens
- Milkweed, text from James Wright
- Concerto for Double Brass Choir and Orchestra: I. Invention on a Motif: Tempo giusto
- II. Invention on a Chord: Cantabile
- III. Invention on a Cadence: Molto allegro
- At First Light (1998). Archetype Records 60106. Performed by Lorraine Hunt, mezzo-soprano, Dawn Upshaw, soprano, Greenleaf Chamber Players, and Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. Tracks:
- Due Libri dei Mottetti di Montale
- Snow Country
- Chorale Cantata
- Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet, and Strings
- John Harbison: Ulysses' Bow / Samuel Chapter (2004). First Edition ASIN: B0002RQ35C. Tracks:
- Ulysses' Bow ballet performed by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Andre Previn
- Samuel Chapter performed by Susan Larson (soprano) and conducted by John Harbison
- The Reawakening, String Quartet No. 3, Fantasia on a Ground, Thanks Victor (2001). Musica Omnia om0110. Lydian String Quartet, Dominique Labelle, soprano.
- World Premiere Recordings: Violin Concerto, Recordare, Seven Motets (1997). Koch 3-7310-2-H1. Emmanuel Music, Craig Smith, conductor, Rose-Mary Harbison, violin.
- Sessions: Symphony No. 2; Harbison: Symphony No. 2, Oboe Concerto (1994). london 443 376-2. San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Bloomstedt, conductor, William Bennet, oboe.
- String Quartet No.1/String Quartet No. 2/November 19, 1828 (1992). Lydian String Quartet, Yehudi Wyner, piano.
- Simple Daylight/Words from Patterson/Piano Quintet, (1999). Electra Nonesuch 79189-2. Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Gilbert Kalish, piano, Sanford Sylvan, baritone, Dawn Upshaw, soprano.
- Four Psalms/Emerson (2004). New World Records 80613-2. Cantata Singers and Ensemble, David Hoose, conductor.
- Mottetti di Montale (2005). Koch KIC-CD-7545. Collage New Music, David Hoose, music director, Janice Felty and Margaret Lattimore mezzo-sopranos.
Works
Opera
- Winter's Tale (1974)
- Full Moon in March (1977)
- The Great Gatsby (1999)
Ballet
Orchestral
- Incidental Music from The Merchant of Venice (1971), for string orchestra
- Elegiac Songs (1974), for mezzo-soprano & chamber orchestra
- commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation
- Diotima (1976)
- Piano Concerto (1978), for piano & chamber orchestra
- Snow Country (1979), for oboe & string orchestra
- Violin Concerto (1978–80), for violin & chamber orchestra
- Symphony No. 1 (1981)
- Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet and String Orchestra (1985)
- Remembering Gatsby (1985)
- Symphony No. 2 (1987)
- Concerto for Double Brass Choir and Orchestra (1988), for twelve brass soli & chamber orchestra
- Viola Concerto (1988), for viola & orchestra
- Symphony No. 3 (1990)
- David's Fascinating Rhythm Method (1991), for chamber orchestra
- Three City Blocks (1991), for concert band
- Oboe Concerto (1991), for oboe & orchestra
- Cello Concerto (1993), for cello & orchestra
- The Most Often Used Chords (1993), for chamber orchestra
- Flute Concerto (1994), for flute & orchestra
- Olympic Dances (1996), for concert band
- Partita (2001)
- Symphony No. 4 (2003)
- Crane Sightings (2004), for violin & string orchestra
- written for Rose Mary Harbison, the composer's wife
- Darkbloom: Overture for an Imagined Opera (2004)
- Canonical American Songbook (2005)
- Concerto for Bass Viol (2005), for double bass & chamber orchestra
- Milosz Songs (2006), for soprano & orchestra
- The Great Gatsby - Suite (2007)
- Symphony No. 5 (2007), for mezzo-soprano, baritone soli & orchestra
- Mary Lou (Four Symphonic Memories of Mary Lou Williams) (2008)
- Double Concerto for Violin and Cello (2009), for violin, cello & orchestra
- commissioned by the Friends of the Dresden Music Foundation for the Boston Symphony
Choral
- In Spiritu: Prayer (1955), for a cappella male-voice choir
- Ave Maria (1959), for a cappella S.S.A.A. choir
- He Shall Not Cry (1959), for S.A. choir & organ
- Five Songs of Experience (1971), for S.A.T.B. choir, two percussion & string quartet
- Music When Soft Voices Die (1966), for S.A.T.B. choir & harpsichord or organ
- Nunc Dimittis (1975), for T.B. choir & piano
- The Flower-Fed Buffaloes (1976), for baritone solo, S.S.A.T.B.B. choir & instrumental ensemble
- The Flight into Egypt (1986), for soprano, baritone soli, S.A.T.B. choir & chamber orchestra
- Two Emmanuel Motets (1990), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Ave Verum Corpus (1991), for a cappella S.S.A.T.B. choir
- O Magnum Mysterium (1991/92), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Veni Creator Spiritus (1992), for a cappella T.B. choir
- Communion Words (1994), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Concerning Them Which Are Asleep (1994), for a cappella S.S.A.T.B.B. choir
- Emerson (1995), a cappella S.A.T.B. double choir
- Juste Judex (1995), for mezzo-soprano, baritone soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestra
- Evening (Der Abend) (1997), for a cappella S.A.T.B. double choir
- Four Psalms (1998), for S.A.T.B. soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestra
- Psalm 137 (1998), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Requiem (1985–2002), for S.A.T.B. soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestra
- We do not live to ourselves (2002), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Abraham (2004), for double S.A.T.B. choir & two large brass choirs
- Charity Never Faileth (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- My Little Children, Let Us Not Love in Word (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choir
- But Mary Stood (2005), for soprano solo, choir & string orchestra
- Umbrian Landscape with Saint (2005), for optional choir & chamber ensemble
- A Clear Midnight (2007), for T.T.B.B. choir & five strings
- Madrigal (2007), for a cappella S.A.T.B.B. choir
Chamber
- Andante con moto (1955), for cello & piano
- Duo (1961), for flute & piano
- Canzonetta (1962), for bassoon quartet
- Confinement (1965), for twelve players
- Serenade (1968), for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, viola & cello
- Piano Trio (1969), for violin, cello & piano
- Bermuda Triangle (1970), for tenor saxophone, electric organ & amplified cello
- Die Kurze (1970), for flute, clarinet, piano, violin & cello
- Snow Country (1979), for oboe & string quintet
- Wind Quintet (1979), for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn & bassoon
- Due Libri (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players
- Mottetti di Montale (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players or piano
- Organum for Paul Fromm (1981), for glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone, harpsichord & piano
- Piano Quintet (1981), for two violins, viola, cello & piano
- Exequien for Calvin Simmons (1982), for seven players
- Overture: Michael Kohlhaas (1982), for twelve brass
- Variations (1982), for clarinet, violin & piano
- String Quartet No. 1 (1985), for two violins, viola & cello
- Twilight Music (1985), for horn, violin & piano
- Fanfare for Foley's (1986), for twelve brass & two percussion
- Music for Eighteen Winds (1986)
- String Quartet No. 2 (1987), for two violins, viola & cello
- Two Chorale Preludes for Advent (from "Christmas Vespers") (1987), for brass quintet
- Fantasy-Duo (1988), for violin & piano
- Little Fantasy on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (1988), for brass quintet
- November 19, 1828 (1988), for violin, viola, cello & piano
- Fanfares and Reflection (1990), for two violins
- Fourteen Fabled Folksongs (1992), for violin & marimba
- Prelude (1993), for cello & piano
- String Quartet No. 3 (1993), for two violins, viola & cello
- San Antonio (1994), for alto saxophone & piano
- Thanks Victor (1994), for string quartet
- Trio Sonata (1994), for three clarinets or three saxophones or oboe, cor Anglais & bassoon or string trio
- Fanfare for a Free Man (1997), for three oboes & three bassoons
- La Primavera di Sottoripa (1998), for mezzo-soprano & nine players
- North and South (2000), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & seven players
- Six American Painters (2000), for flute/oboe, violin, viola & cello
- Chaconne (2001), for flute, clarinet, violin, cello & piano
- String Quartet No. 4 (2002), for two violins, viola & cello
- Cucaraccia and Fugue (2003), for four violas
- Trio II. (2003), for violin, cello & piano
- Songs America Loves to Sing (2004), for flute, clarinet, piano, violin & cello
- Abu Ghraib (2006), for cello & piano
- Deep Dances (2006), for cello & double bass
- French Horn Suite (2006), for four French horns
- Cortège (2008), for percussion sextet
- Diamond Watch (2010), for two pianos
Vocal
- Due Libri (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players
- Mottetti di Montale (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players or piano
- Mirabai Songs (1982), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & eight players or piano
- December 1 (1995), for mezzo-soprano & chamber orchestra
- La Primavera di Sottoripa (1998), for mezzo-soprano & nine players
- Il Saliscendi Bianco (1999), for mezzo-soprano & nine players
- North and South (2000), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & seven players
- Ain't Goin' to Study War No More (2003), for baritone, two trumpets, snare drum & string orchestra
- Milosz Songs (2006), for soprano & orchestra
Solo
- Amazing Grace (1972), for oboe
- Four Occasional Pieces (1978), for piano
- Four Songs of Solitude (1985), for violin
- written for the composer's wife, Rose Mary Harbison
- Four More Occasional Pieces (1987), for piano
- Sonata No. 1 - In Memoriam Roger Sessions (1987), for piano
- Suite (1993), for cello
- Trio Sonata (1994), for piano or harpsichord or fortepiano or electric keyboard
- Gatsby Etudes (1999), for piano
- A Violist's Notebook, Book 1 (1998–2000), for viola
- Sonata No. 2 (2001), for piano
- A Violist's Notebook, Book 2 (2002), for viola
- Montale Sketches (2002), for piano
- Ten Micro-Waltzes (2004), for piano
- Leonard Stein Anagrams (2009)
References
Additional Resources
- Harbison, John. "Six Tanglewood Talks (1,2,3)." Perspectives of New Music 23, no. 2 (Spring-Summer 1985): 12-22.
- Harbison, John. "Six Tanglewood Talks (4,5,6)." Perspectives of New Music, 24, no.1 (Autumn-Winter 1985): 46-60.
- Harbison, John. “Symmetries and the New Tonality.” Contemporary Music Review 6, no. 2 (1992): 71-79.
External links
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Harbison, John |
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| Date of birth |
December 20, 1938 |
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