Harold Arlen

Harold Arlen
Name	Harold Arlen
Caption	Arlen in 1947
Birth name	Hyman Arluck
Birth date	15 February 1905
Birth place	Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Death date	23 April 1986
Death place	New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Composer
Years active	1926–1986
Spouse	Anya Taranda, 1937, 1970

Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, widely regarded as one of the greatest contributors to the Great American Songbook. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he created a vast catalog of enduring standards, many of which originated in Hollywood films and Broadway shows. His sophisticated, often blues-inflected compositions, including the iconic "Over the Rainbow," have been performed and recorded by countless artists across jazz, pop, and traditional pop genres, securing his legacy as a master melodist.

Early Life and Education

Born Hyman Arluck in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of a cantor, Samuel Arluck, whose liturgical music deeply influenced his early musical sensibilities. He showed prodigious talent as a pianist and singer, performing locally and forming his own band, The Snappy Trio, while still a teenager. Seeking greater opportunities, he moved to New York City in the early 1920s, where he worked as a rehearsal pianist and accompanist for vaudeville acts, honing his craft in the vibrant Tin Pan Alley scene. His formal musical education was largely practical, gleaned from these professional experiences and his innate gift for melody and harmony.

Career

Arlen's career breakthrough came in 1929 when his song "Get Happy" (with lyrics by Ted Koehler) became a major hit for singer Ruth Etting. This success launched a prolific songwriting partnership with Koehler, resulting in numerous revue songs for the Cotton Club in Harlem and for Broadway shows like *Earl Carroll's Vanities*. In the mid-1930s, he shifted focus to Hollywood, beginning a long association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and later Warner Bros.. His most famous collaboration was with lyricist E. Y. Harburg, yielding the score for *The Wizard of Oz* (1939). Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he composed for successful Broadway musicals including *Bloomer Girl* and *House of Flowers*, while continuing to write for films like *A Star Is Born* (1954).

Musical Style and Legacy

Arlen's musical style is distinguished by its sophisticated chord progressions, rhythmic ingenuity, and a profound infusion of blues and jazz idioms into the popular song form. His melodies often feature unexpected intervals and a melancholic, yearning quality, even in uptempo numbers. This unique voice expanded the emotional and harmonic palette of American popular music, influencing later composers like Johnny Mercer and Jule Styne. His work forms a cornerstone of the Great American Songbook and remains a vital part of the repertoire for jazz musicians and vocalists, studied for its craftsmanship and emotional depth. Institutions like the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers have consistently honored his contributions.

Notable Works

Arlen's catalog includes some of the most recorded songs of the 20th century. His timeless standards, often written with premier lyricists, include "Stormy Weather" (lyrics by Ted Koehler), "It's Only a Paper Moon" (lyrics by Harburg and Billy Rose), "That Old Black Magic" (lyrics by Johnny Mercer), "Come Rain or Come Shine" (lyrics by Mercer), "Blues in the Night" (lyrics by Mercer), and "The Man That Got Away" (lyrics by Ira Gershwin). His score for *The Wizard of Oz*, particularly "Over the Rainbow" with Harburg, is among the most beloved in cinematic history.

Awards and Recognition

Harold Arlen received numerous accolades throughout his career. "Over the Rainbow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1939. He was nominated for several other Academy Awards, including for "That Old Black Magic" and "The Man That Got Away." In 1971, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His work has been celebrated with tributes at venues like Carnegie Hall and by organizations such as the Library of Congress, which selected "Over the Rainbow" for the National Recording Registry. Posthumously, he has been honored with a United States Postal Service commemorative stamp and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Personal Life

In 1937, Arlen married former model and actress Anya Taranda; their marriage lasted until her death in 1970. The couple had one son, Samuel, who was named after Arlen's father. He maintained close friendships within the entertainment industry, including with fellow composers like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin. In his later years, Arlen battled illness and depression but continued to compose. He died of cancer in New York City in 1986 and was interred at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. His estate and archives are managed by his family, ensuring the preservation of his musical legacy.

Category:American composers Category:Songwriters from New York (state)