Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

October 13, 1920 in Berlin, Germany

Death

:

November 12, 2001 in Marina Del Rey, CA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Albert Hague was a German-born American composer, songwriter, and actor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on October 13, 1920, in Berlin, Germany, to Jewish parents. His father was a physician, and his mother was a singer and pianist. Hague showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. In 1937, Hague and his family fled Nazi Germany and settled in the United States. He continued his musical education at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and later at the University of Cincinnati. Hague also studied at the Mannes School of Music in New York City, where he was a student of the renowned composer George Szell. Hague began his career as a composer in the 1950s, writing music for television shows and Broadway musicals. He composed the music for the hit musicals "Plain and Fancy" (1955) and "Redhead" (1959), both of which earned him Tony Awards for Best Original Score. Hague also wrote the music for the television series "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (1966), which has become a beloved holiday classic. In addition to his work as a composer, Hague was also an accomplished actor. He appeared in several Broadway productions, including "Plain and Fancy" and "Redhead," and had a recurring role on the television series "Fame" in the 1980s. Hague's classical music compositions include a number of works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. One of his most notable works is his "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra," which was premiered by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 1951. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with a lively and energetic first movement, a lyrical second movement, and a lively and playful third movement. Hague also wrote several works for chamber ensembles, including his "String Quartet No. 1," which was premiered by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1953. The quartet is a complex and challenging work, with intricate counterpoint and shifting harmonies. In addition to his instrumental works, Hague also wrote several vocal works, including his "Three Songs for Soprano and Piano," which were premiered by the soprano Phyllis Curtin in 1952. The songs are settings of poems by Emily Dickinson, and they showcase Hague's gift for melody and his ability to create evocative musical settings for poetry. Hague's music is characterized by its lyricism, its rhythmic vitality, and its harmonic complexity. He was influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including classical music, jazz, and popular music, and he was known for his ability to blend these styles in his compositions. Hague continued to compose and perform music throughout his life, and he remained active in the music and theater communities until his death on November 12, 2001, at the age of 81. His contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and his music continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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