Role

:

Composer

 

Tayloe Harding was an American composer of classical music, born on May 22, 1941, in Washington, D.C. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a pianist and his mother a singer. Harding began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, where he studied composition with Jean Eichelberger Ivey and piano with Leon Fleisher. After completing his studies at Peabody, Harding went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Ross Lee Finney. He then pursued further studies in composition at the University of California, Berkeley, where he worked with Andrew Imbrie and Olly Wilson. Throughout his career, Harding composed a wide range of works, including orchestral pieces, chamber music, vocal music, and electronic music. His music was often characterized by its complex rhythms, intricate textures, and use of extended techniques. One of Harding's early works, "Three Pieces for Orchestra," was premiered by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 1967. The piece showcased Harding's skill at creating intricate textures and complex rhythms, with the orchestra weaving in and out of different musical ideas. In the 1970s, Harding began to incorporate electronic music into his compositions. His piece "Electronic Study No. 1" was created using a Buchla synthesizer and showcased his interest in exploring new sounds and textures. He also composed several works for chamber ensembles during this time, including "String Quartet No. 1" and "Wind Quintet No. 1." Harding's music continued to evolve throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He began to incorporate more traditional tonal elements into his compositions, while still maintaining his interest in complex rhythms and textures. His piece "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" was premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra in 1991 and showcased his ability to blend traditional and modern elements in his music. In addition to his work as a composer, Harding was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at several universities throughout his career, including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Harding's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Tayloe Harding passed away on December 27, 2018, at the age of 77. His legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike.

More....