Harris, Roy

Period: Early 20th Century

Born: Saturday, February 12, 1898 in Near Chandler, Oklahoma (USA)

Died: Monday, October 1, 1979 in Santa Monica, California (USA)

Nation of Origin: United States

Major Works:
Symphonic Works:
When Johnny Comes Marching Home (1935)
Kentucky Spring (1949), for orchestra
Third Symphony (1939), written in a single movement
Fourth (Folksong) Symphony with chorus (1940)
Fifth Symphony (1943)
Sixth Symphony (1944) is subtitled Gettysburg Address
Seventh Symphony (1952)
10th Symphony (1965) the Abraham Lincoln Symphony

Chamber Works: three string quartets
Third String Quartet (1939), in the form of four preludes and fugues in modal harmony
a piano trio
a piano quintet
a string quintet

Other Information:
Quick Facts:

• Noted composer of American symphonic music
• Use of English and American folk tunes
• broad tonal melodies and asymmetrical rhythms
• American Nationalist Themes

General Bibliography:
Kennedy, Michael, The Oxford Dictionary of Music, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 1997, ISBN: 0198691629

Sadie, Stanley and Tyrrell, John; Editors, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Groves Dictionaries, Inc., January 2001, ISBN: 1561592390

Slonimsky, Nicolas and Kuhn, Laura; Editors, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Gale Group, December 2000, ISBN: 0028655257

Slonimsky, Nicolas, Music Since 1900, Schirmer Books, July 1994, ISBN: 0028724186

Links to essays at other sites:

Twentieth Century Music: An Introduction by Eric Salzman

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Roy Harris, American Composer

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