Howard Hanson

Howard Hanson
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Name	Howard Hanson
Birth date	October 28, 1896
Birth place	Wahoo, Nebraska
Death date	February 26, 1981
Death place	New York City

Howard Hanson was a renowned American composer, conductor, and educator, known for his contributions to the development of American classical music, particularly through his work with the Eastman School of Music and the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra. Hanson's music was heavily influenced by the works of Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, and he was a key figure in promoting the music of American composers, such as Charles Ives and Roy Harris. Hanson's own compositions, including his Symphony No. 2, were widely performed by orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a close friend and colleague of Serge Koussevitzky, with whom he collaborated on numerous projects, including the Tanglewood Music Festival.

● Early Life and Education

Hanson was born in Wahoo, Nebraska, to Swedish immigrant parents, and began his musical studies at a young age, learning to play the piano and violin from his mother, a former student of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. He went on to study at the Northwestern University and the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School), where he was taught by composers such as Nathan Van Etten and Percy Goetschius. Hanson's early musical experiences were also shaped by his involvement with the Lutheran Church, where he served as a church organist and choir director, and by his exposure to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven.

● Career

Hanson's career as a composer and conductor spanned over five decades, during which he held positions with several prominent musical institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, where he served as director from 1924 to 1964, and the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra, which he conducted from 1924 to 1972. He was also a frequent guest conductor with orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and he worked closely with musicians such as Isaac Stern and Leonard Bernstein. Hanson was a strong advocate for the music of American composers, and he was instrumental in promoting the works of Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, and Elliott Carter.

● Compositions

Hanson's compositional output includes over 50 works, ranging from symphonies and concertos to chamber music and choral music. His most famous work is probably the Symphony No. 2, also known as the "Romantic" Symphony, which was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1930. Other notable compositions include the Symphony No. 1, the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, and the Lament for Beowulf, which was written for the Harvard Glee Club. Hanson's music was also influenced by his interest in folk music, and he incorporated elements of American folk music into many of his compositions, including the Symphony No. 3 and the Suite from Merry Mount.

● Awards and Legacy

Hanson received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to American music, including the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1944 and the National Medal of Arts in 1967. He was also awarded honorary degrees from institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Rochester. Hanson's legacy extends beyond his own compositions, as he played a significant role in shaping the American classical music landscape through his work as a conductor, educator, and advocate for American composers. He was a close friend and colleague of composers such as William Schuman and David Diamond, and he was a key figure in the development of the American Composers' Alliance and the American Symphony Orchestra League.

● Personal Life

Hanson was married to Margaret Elizabeth Nelson from 1946 until his death in 1981. He was a private person who preferred to focus on his music and his work, rather than seeking to draw attention to himself. Despite his reserved nature, Hanson was widely respected and admired by his colleagues and students, who valued his wisdom, his musical insight, and his dedication to the advancement of American classical music. Hanson's personal library and archives are now housed at the Sibley Music Library at the Eastman School of Music, where they serve as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in the life and work of this important American composer. Category:American composers