A quick post today to mark the passing of a distinguished American composer, Robert Ward, who died earlier this week.
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| Robert Ward |
Ward is best known for his opera
The Crucible but his orchestral music is very worthwhile. This present post has his Symphony No. 3, which dates from 1950.
This entirely sympathetic performance is by the Cincinnati Symphony conducted by its then music director, Thor Johnson. The recording was issued in 1955, although I believe it was actually made in 1953.
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| Thor Johnson |
A quotation from
Ward's website is helpful as a quick introduction to his music: "In every aspect of his composition, Ward consciously expresses his philosophy and interpretation of American idealism, which have become part of his being during a long and varied career. As a composer who enjoys the rich palette of life in the United States to its fullest, Robert Ward proudly represents himself as a truly 'American' composer."
Ward was part of New York's musical life for many years before moving to Winston-Salem to become chancellor of the North Carolina School of the Arts.
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| Leon Stein |
Also on this record are the "Three Hassidic Dances" by another American composer, Leon Stein, who was associated with De Paul University in Chicago for many years. The dances are from 1940-41 and were an outgrowth of the composer's interest in the ecstatic and mystical aspects of Hasidim. The performance is vigorous and confident.
These recordings were subsidized by the American Composers Alliance during a short-lived agreement with Remington, an interesting budget label of the time. The sound is reasonably good, but as often the case with Remington, the surfaces were not quiet. However, the end result is pleasing and the music is in any case excellent.
Excellent stufff...Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this.
ReplyDeleteA sad loss. Ward truly deserves to be better known.
Many thanks, Buster, and for the context.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Buster.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great album
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I had an old American Recording Society LP of Ward's 1st symphony. On the flip side was Haieff's piano concerto with Leo Smit as pianist. I listened to this album frequently. Good stuff!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever heard Ward's 3rd symphony, so I'm eager to listen to it. Thanks for posting this recording.
I have several Ward records, but not that one, which I would love to hear. Thanks for writing.
ReplyDeleteRobert Ward became a beloved member of the North Carolina music scene, and something of a composer-in-residence for the North Carolina Symphony. We will miss him. Thanks for the remembrance and the share.
ReplyDelete@ stephen_pomes - Actually I do have that recording of Ward's first symphony, and will transfer it when I get a chance.
ReplyDeleteI was one of Robert Ward's students at NCSA. I was really sad to hear of his passing. He was a very strange teacher, I would say. Our very small class, 6 or 7, would meet at his home. His contributions were generally only practical...correcting rhythms, that sort of thing...yet I always had the feeling that he respected what talent I had, after all, he personally accepted me into his class. He was scoring an opera and apparently composed directly to orchestration...a measure or so at a time. I was very curious about manuscripts. At Christmas he would give us recordings of his music. I thought of him as being somewhat conservative, but I always had so much respect and affection for him.
ReplyDeleteMichael - Thanks for writing. Most interesting! I see that I promised Ward's first symphony. I did transfer it but I don't think I posted it. Have to make amends.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Buster. Will download these in a day or two. I really enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteNew link (Apple lossless):
ReplyDeletehttps://mega.nz/#!eZdT0awA!fROrt7EyJrMCuJr23d6CA_WZ5VKcGs_p_hE9ZVGOdUw
Thank you, Buster for this and the many great albums you share with us.
ReplyDeleteRich