Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 30, 1941 in Arp, TX

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Larry Henley was an American composer and songwriter who was born on June 30, 1937, in Arp, Texas. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the guitar and his mother singing in the church choir. Henley started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Henley attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied music composition and theory. After graduation, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began his career as a songwriter. He worked for several music publishing companies, including Acuff-Rose Music and Tree Publishing, and wrote songs for some of the biggest names in country music, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and Reba McEntire. In the 1970s, Henley formed a band called The Newbeats, which had several hits, including "Bread and Butter" and "Run Baby Run (Back into My Arms)." The Newbeats were known for their catchy pop songs and tight harmonies, and they toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Despite his success as a songwriter and performer, Henley continued to write classical music throughout his career. He composed several symphonies, concertos, and chamber works, which were performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. One of Henley's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in 1983. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Henley's skill as a composer and his ability to blend classical and popular music styles. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a bold and energetic piece that features brass and percussion. The second movement, "Lament," is a slow and mournful piece that features strings and woodwinds. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features a variety of instruments, including piano, harp, and percussion. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant and celebratory piece that brings the symphony to a thrilling conclusion. Another notable work by Henley is his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, which was premiered by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in 1990. The concerto is a three-movement work that features a virtuosic piano part and lush orchestration. The first movement, "Allegro," is a fast and energetic piece that showcases the piano's technical abilities. The second movement, "Adagio," is a slow and lyrical piece that features the piano and strings. The final movement, "Allegro con brio," is a lively and rhythmic piece that brings the concerto to a thrilling conclusion. Henley's chamber works are also noteworthy, particularly his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered by the Blair String Quartet in 1995. The quartet is a four-movement work that showcases Henley's skill as a composer and his ability to write for a small ensemble. The first movement, "Allegro," is a fast and energetic piece that features all four instruments. The second movement, "Adagio," is a slow and lyrical piece that features the cello and viola. The third movement, "Scherzo," is a lively and rhythmic piece that features the violin and viola. The final movement, "Finale," is a fast and exciting piece that brings the quartet to a thrilling conclusion. Throughout his career, Henley received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer and songwriter. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995 and received the ASCAP Founders Award in 2000.

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