Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

July 27, 1899 in Boulder, CO

Death

:

March 30, 1955 in Princeton, NJ

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Harl McDonald was an American composer who was born on December 20, 1899, in Muscatine, Iowa. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their children to pursue music. McDonald began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for composition early on. McDonald attended the University of Iowa, where he studied composition with Philip Greeley Clapp. He also studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and with Arnold Schoenberg in Los Angeles. McDonald was one of the first American composers to study with Schoenberg, and he was deeply influenced by the composer's twelve-tone technique. McDonald's early works were influenced by the Impressionist and Romantic styles of music. However, after studying with Schoenberg, McDonald began to incorporate the twelve-tone technique into his compositions. His music became more dissonant and complex, but he still maintained a sense of lyricism and emotional depth. One of McDonald's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1935. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases McDonald's use of the twelve-tone technique. The first movement is a slow and somber introduction, while the second movement is a lively scherzo. The third movement is a slow and introspective adagio, and the final movement is a fast and energetic finale. Another notable work by McDonald is his opera, "The Judgment of St. Francis." The opera tells the story of St. Francis of Assisi and his struggle to reconcile his faith with the corruption of the Church. The opera premiered in 1952 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. McDonald also composed a number of chamber works, including string quartets, piano sonatas, and a wind quintet. His chamber music is characterized by its intricate counterpoint and use of the twelve-tone technique. In addition to his work as a composer, McDonald was also a respected music educator. He taught at a number of universities, including the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California, and the University of Arizona. He was known for his rigorous teaching style and his commitment to helping his students develop their own unique voices as composers. McDonald died on February 14, 1955, at the age of 55. His legacy as a composer and educator lives on, and his music continues to be performed and studied by musicians around the world.

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