John Harbison
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Image:Jharbison.jpgJohn 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 a violin concerto.
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.
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."
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 6 minute composition for brass and choir, had its world premiere on January 17, 2004.
He is married to violinist Rose Mary Pederson.
Discography
- 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:
- 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