Harl McDonald (July 27, 1899 - March 30, 1955) was an American composer, conductor, pianist and teacher. McDonald was born in Boulder, Colorado, and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Redlands, and the Leipzig Conservatory. He was appointed a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania in 1927 and enjoyed other appointments at the University including the Director of the Music Department and Director of the University's Choral Society and the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club.[1] In addition to his administrative duties with the University, McDonald composed numerous musical works and served on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association.[1] He died in Princeton, New Jersey.
His four symphonies are subtitled "The Santa Fe Trail" (#1 - 1933), "The Rhumba" (#2 - 1934), "Lamentations of Fu Hsuan" (#3 - 1935) and "Festival of the Workers" (#4 - 1937). His other works include a concerto for two pianos, two piano trios, and choral music. His 1938 Lament for the Stolen, for women's chorus and orchestra, was written in commemoration of the Lindbergh kidnapping.
External links
- Guide to the Harl McDonald Recordings, 1937 - 1944 at the University of Pennsylvania
- Grove Music Online
- "Terrible Thing", Time review of McDonald's Lament for the Stolen, Jan. 9, 1939.
References
- ^ a b "The Guide to Harl McDonald Recordings at the University of Pennsylvania Archives". Archived from the original on 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2006-10-31.