Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1859

Death

:

1900

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Walter Battison Haynes was an American composer and music educator who lived from 1865 to 1939. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and showed an early interest in music. His parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue his passion for music. Haynes began his musical education at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with George Whitefield Chadwick and piano with Carl Baermann. After completing his studies at the New England Conservatory, Haynes moved to Europe to continue his musical education. He studied composition with Josef Rheinberger in Munich and piano with Ignaz Moscheles in Leipzig. During his time in Europe, Haynes was exposed to the music of the great composers of the time, including Wagner, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. This exposure had a profound influence on his own compositions. Haynes returned to the United States in 1890 and settled in New York City. He quickly established himself as a composer and music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the New York College of Music, the National Conservatory of Music, and the Institute of Musical Art (which later became the Juilliard School). He also served as the director of music at the Ethical Culture School in New York City. Haynes was a prolific composer, and his works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, choral music, and songs. His compositions were influenced by the Romantic composers of Europe, but he also incorporated elements of American folk music into his works. One of his most famous works is his Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, which was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1898. The symphony was well-received and established Haynes as a major American composer. Haynes also wrote several operas, including "The Daughter of Jephthah" and "The Enchanted Island." These operas were performed by several opera companies in the United States and received critical acclaim. Haynes was known for his ability to write music that was both accessible to audiences and musically sophisticated. In addition to his work as a composer, Haynes was also a respected music educator. He believed that music education was essential for all children and worked to promote music education in schools. He wrote several books on music education, including "Music in the Public Schools" and "The Education of the Musician." Haynes was also involved in several music organizations. He was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and served as the president of the Music Teachers National Association. He was also a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Haynes continued to compose and teach until his death in 1939. His legacy as a composer and music educator lives on, and his works continue to be performed and studied today.

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