Randall Thompson

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Randall Thompson
Born April 21, 1899(1899-04-21)
New York, New York
Died July 9, 1984 (aged 85)
Boston, Massachusetts
Burial place Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts
42°22′12″N 71°08′40″W / 42.3701, -71.1445
Nationality American
Known for choral composition
Spouse Margaret Quayle Whitney
Children 4
Parents Dr. Daniel Varney Thompson & Grace B. Randall
Relatives Daniel Varney Thompson, Jr., brother
For the Canadian boxer see Randall Thompson (boxer)

Randall Thompson (April 21, 1899 – July 9, 1984) was an American composer. He attended Harvard University, became assistant professor of music and choir director at Wellesley College, and received a doctorate in music from the University of Rochester School of Music. He went on to teach at the Curtis Institute of Music, at the University of Virginia, and at Harvard. He is particularly noted for his choral works. He was an honorary member of the Rho Tau chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity at Appalachian State University.

Thompson composed three symphonies and numerous vocal works including The Testament of Freedom and The Peaceable Kingdom, inspired by Edward Hicks's painting. His most popular and recognizable choral work is his anthem, Alleluia, commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky for the opening of the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. He also wrote the operas Solomon and Balkis and The Nativity According to St. Luke.

Leonard Bernstein was one of Thompson's students at Harvard. His other notable students include Leo Kraft, Juan Orrego-Salas, John Davison, Thomas Beveridge, Charles Edward Hamm, William Perry, Christopher King, Frederic Rzewski, and David Borden.

In honor of Thompson's vast influence on male choral music, on May 2, 1964 he became the first recipient of the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit[1]. Beginning in 1964, this award "established to bring a declaration of appreciation to an individual each year that has made a significant contribution to the world of music and helped to create a climate in which our talents may find valid expression."

Contents

[edit] Works

[edit] Choral works

  • The Last Invocation - 1922
  • Odes of Horace - 1924
  • The Peaceable Kingdom - 1936 - inspired by the painting by Edward Hicks and based on texts chosen from Isaiah
  • Alleluia - 1940
  • The Testament of Freedom - 1943 - texts from Thomas Jefferson
  • The Last Words of David - 1949
  • Mass of the Holy Spirit - 1955
  • Ode to the Virginian Voyage - 1956
  • Glory to God in the Highest - 1958
  • Frostiana: Seven Country Songs - 1959 - a collaboration with Robert Frost
  • The Best of Rooms - 1963 - based on text by Robert Herrick
  • A Feast of Praise - 1963 - based on biblical texts
  • Place of the Blest - 1968 - based on texts by Robert Herrick and Richard Wilbur
  • Bitter-Sweet - 1970
  • The Twelve Canticles - 1983 - Thompson's last composition - Dedicated to the Emory & Henry College Concert Choir - Based on eleven of Thompson's favorite passages from the Bible
  • The Passion According to St. Luke
  • The Nativity According to St. Luke

[edit] Operas

  • Solomon and Balkis

[edit] Symphonies

  • Symphony No. 1
  • Symphony No. 2 - 1931
  • Symphony No. 3

[edit] String Quartets

  • Quartet no. 1 in D minor
  • Quartet no. 2 in G major (1967)

[edit] References

  1. ^ The University of Pennsylvania Glee Club Award of Merit Recipients.

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Thompson, Randall
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION American composer
DATE OF BIRTH April 21, 1899
PLACE OF BIRTH New York, New York
DATE OF DEATH July 9, 1984
PLACE OF DEATH Boston, Massachusetts