John Harbison
John Harris Harbison (born
December 20,
1938 in
Orange, New Jersey) is a
composer, best known for his
operas and large choral works.
Harbison won a prize for composition at the age of sixteen. 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 double bass.
He won the
Pulitzer Prize for music in
1987 for
The Flight Into Egypt (see Discography). He was nominated for a
2006 Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance for his composition,
Mottetti di Montale.
The
Metropolitan Opera commissioned Harbison's
The Great Gatsby to celebrate Maestro
James Levine's twenty-fifth 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 commissioned by the late
Pope John Paul II to write a piece for the
Vatican to be performed at the "Reconciliation Between
Jews,
Christians and
Muslims" concert.
Abraham, a six-minute composition for
brass and
choir, had its world premiere on
January 17,
2004.
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 Pederson.
Mirabai Songs / Variations (1987). Northeastern Records NR 230-CD. Performed by Janice Felty, mezzo-soprano, Collage New Music Ensemble, conducted by John Harbison â€" Rose Mary Harbison, violin; David Satz, clarinet;
Ursula Oppens, piano. Tracks:#
Mirabai Songs, text from
Mirabai Versions by
Robert Bly: 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 Do You Go?#V. The Clouds#VI. Don't Go, Don't Go#
Variations, for violin, clarinet, and piano
The Flight into Egypt and other works by John Harbison (1990).
New World Records 80395-2. Performed by
The Cantata Singers and Ensemble,
The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by
David Hoose, John Harbison, and
Andre Previn. Tracks: #
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*
Schirmer.com: John Harbison*
Harbison bio at MIT*
Art of the States: John Harbison*
Del Sol Quartet: Tear includes Harbison's
Fantasia from quartet no. 2 performed by
Del Sol Quartet
