Symphony No. 4 Op. 34, "Requiem" (1943) by Howard Hanson (1896–1981) is Hanson's fourth symphony. It was inspired by the death of his father,Brennan, Elizabeth A. and Clarage, Elizabeth C. (1999). Who's Who of Pulitzer Prize Winners, p.418. . taking its movement titles from sections of the Requiem Mass."Howard Hanson: Symphonies Nos. 4 'Requiem' & 5 'Sinfonia Sacra'", AllMusic.com. He was awarded the 1944 Pulitzer Prize for Music, unanimously selected by the jury, for the piece. Hanson regarded it as his finest work.The Guardian, 25 January 2012 cited in "Hanson, H: Symphony No. 4, Op. 34 'Requiem'", PrestoClassical.co.uk.
It was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra on December 3, 1943, conducted by the composer and the radio premiere was January 2, 1944 by the NBC Symphony Orchestra with Leopold Stokowski.Fischer, Heinz Dietrich (2010). The Pulitzer Prize Winners for Music, p.11. . One of his least heard symphonies, "this work represents American Romanticism at its best."Camphouse, Mark (2009). Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 4, p.561. .
Discography Howard Hanson: Symphony No. 4; Suite from Merry Mount; Lament for Beowulf (Delos 1991) Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz conducting. Made In The USA (Delos 1992) Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz conducting. Howard Hanson: First Complete Symphonies and Other Works [Box set] (Delos 1994) Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz conducting. Music of Howard Hanson, Vol. 1 (Delos 1998) Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz conducting. Symphony 2 & 4 / Elegy (Arte Nova 1998). Hanson: Symphonies 2 & 4, Elegy (Arte Nova 2005).
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