Utah Classical Music of the Past
Gallery of new recordings of old music - for the curious or the studious
Utah Classical Music of the Past
Gallery of new recordings of old music - for the curious or the studious
This site is focused on composers active from the 1850s to the 1950s for the very big reason that music composed after that time period is probably or certainly still under copyright protection, making it problematic to share their music – depending on a few factors. You may – and probably should – still look into some of the newer knights of notes, even though we generally can’t post their music here. Of course, calling them the “NEW” crew is all relative. Quite a few who were at the top of their careers from the years 1950 to 2000 are gone now, but new talent is always joining the field.
One way to delve into the newer composers is by their associations with colleges. There are other independent composers too, but music is often collaborative, so colleges are rich ground to start looking. As a podium full of potential standouts, here are a few of the newer composers who just might be your next favorite. No ranking here except in a very general chronological order for each school.
The following list is not meant to be comprehensive. Just some links to creative modern composers who were not generally included in the other pages of lists on this site.
Ned Rorem (visiting professor for a few years)
Henry Wolking (this link might give a security warning, but it was safe to visit for me)
Phillip Bimstein (check out his glorious “Garland Hirschi’s Cows”)
Lisa DeSpain … This Utah native frequently collaborates and/or teaches masterclasses in her home state, but now is headquartered in NYC. I was at the premiere of her mini-opera written for Utah Opera for a major anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad at the train station in Ogden, and loved it!
Jeff Manookian — sheet music for dozens of his works are available free online
A.W. “Mickey” Hart (see his listing on the “Vocals” page of this site)
Clair W. Johnson
Roland Parry
Thomas Root
Roy Harris (music department head in the 1950s?)
