Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1862

Death

:

1929

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

Charles A. E. Harriss was a prominent American composer and conductor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born on May 15, 1862, in London, England, to American parents. His father, Charles Harriss, was a well-known conductor and composer, and his mother, Mary Harriss, was a singer. The family moved to the United States when Charles was just a few months old, and he grew up in New York City. From a young age, Charles showed a great interest in music. He began studying piano and composition with his father, and by the age of 12, he was already composing his own music. He continued his musical education at the New York College of Music, where he studied piano with Rafael Joseffy and composition with Antonin Dvorak. After completing his studies, Harriss began his career as a conductor and composer. He conducted several orchestras in New York City, including the New York Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He also composed a number of works for orchestra, including his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Symphony Orchestra in 1897. Harriss was also a prolific composer of operas and operettas. His most famous work in this genre is probably his operetta "The Wizard of Oz," which premiered in Chicago in 1902. The operetta was a huge success and was later adapted into a silent film in 1910. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Harriss was also a music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the New York College of Music and the Chicago Musical College. He was also a founding member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), which was established in 1914 to protect the rights of composers and publishers. Harriss continued to compose and conduct throughout his life, and his works were performed by orchestras and opera companies throughout the United States and Europe. He died on December 31, 1929, in New York City, at the age of 67. Some of Harriss's most notable works include his Symphony No. 1, his operetta "The Wizard of Oz," and his cantata "The Masque of Pandora." His music is characterized by its lush harmonies, memorable melodies, and dramatic flair. He was a master of orchestration, and his works often feature colorful and inventive instrumentation. Despite his many accomplishments, Harriss's music is not as well-known today as that of some of his contemporaries. However, his contributions to American music are significant, and his works continue to be performed and enjoyed by music lovers around the world.

More....