20th century symphonies

Lou Harrison - an American Maverick

Lou Harrison - an American Maverick

LOU HARRISON (1917 - 2003) – Before commencing this survey I held Lou Harrison in disdain. Why? Because I once read a flip response from him in an article regarding the infamous trial of Henry Cowell in which he, as I recall, was one of the witnesses for the prosecution. Combine this with recordings in the late ‘50s, early ‘60s coupling his percussion pieces with those of John Cage, resulted in my total dismissal of him as being unworthy of my attention. I was even personally introduced to him, by my friend the artist John Paul Thomas, during intermission at the San Francisco Opera in the late ‘60s. I recall I was rather brusque and cold. Oh, how I now regret my behavior!

Korngold - Viennese Master or Hollywood Icon

Korngold - Viennese Master or Hollywood Icon

ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD (1897 - 1957) – It was a real tossup whether to list Korngold here [under Germany/Austria] or in the United States. Korngold was born in Vienna, was quite a child prodigy, and built a major career in Austria and Germany up to the rise of the Nazi party. He brought his family to America and settled in Los Angeles [actually Pacific Palisades] where he built an equally impressive reputation as a top-flight film composer.