Clifford Taylor

Biography

Clifford O. Taylor (20 October 1923 Avalon, PA-19 September 1987 Abington, PA) was an American composer and music educator. He studied with Walter Piston and Paul Hindemith and served as chairman of the department of music composition at Temple University for 23 years. Among his compositions are three symphonies, The Freak Show (a 1975 one-act opera), several string quartets and numerous piano sonatas. In December 1971 the Philadelphia Orchestra played the world premiere of his Symphony No. 2. He was married for many years to Louise Kemp, living with her until his death at Abington Memorial Hospital in 1987. They had three sons, Christopher, Andrew and Jonathan Taylor.

His major works seemed to belonged to a school of thought among 20th century American composers, such as Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, that was intent on writing music exhibiting strictly American styles, properties, and innovations.

  • ACE Publications

    54 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Clifford Taylor ADAGIO & ALLEGRO
    Clifford Taylor BALADE DE BON CONSEYL
    Clifford Taylor BEGGAR
    Clifford Taylor BLENDINGS cl,tape
    Clifford Taylor CHACONNE orch:3-3-3-3,4-3-3-1,timp,str
    Clifford Taylor COLLECTED SONGS voice, piano
    Clifford Taylor COMMENCEMENT SUITE,Op.20 orch:2-2-2-2,4-2-2-1, timp,perc,hp,str & ssa(ttb)-mvt 2only
    Clifford Taylor CONCERT DUO vln,vcl
    Clifford Taylor CONCERTO for bass clarinet and orchestra bcl & orch:pic-2-2-ehn-2-2-cbsn, 4-2-2-btbn-0,timp,4perc,hp,str
    Clifford Taylor CONCERTO for organ and chamber orchestra org& cham orch:fl/pic,ehn,cl(A),1-1(c)- 1(btbn)-1,timp,2perc,str
    Clifford Taylor CONCERTO GROSSO,Op.15 str orch
    Clifford Taylor CONCERTO NO.2 vln,vla soli,str orch
    Clifford Taylor CONCERTO NO.3 vln,vla soli,str orch
    Clifford Taylor DUGOUT, THE
    Clifford Taylor DUO alsax, tbn
    Clifford Taylor FANTASIA & FUGUE pf
    Clifford Taylor FIVE POEMS
    Oboe, horn (2), trumpet (2), trombone
    Clifford Taylor FREAK SHOW - Full Score 10 singers & piccolo, flute (2), oboe (2), clarinet (2), bass clarinet, bassoon (2), horn (4), trumpet (2), trombone (2), bass trombone, tuba (1), timpani, percussion (3), strings
    Clifford Taylor FREAK SHOW -THE MAN OF STONE piano vocal score piano vocal - piano + 10 singers
    Clifford Taylor INTRODUCTION & DANCE FANTASY, Op.12
    Flute (3), oboe (3), clarinet (3), bassoon (3), horn (4), trumpet (3), trombone (3), tuba, timpani, percussion (2), strings
    Clifford Taylor ISLANDS
    Clarinet, horn, percussion (2), harp, violin, cello
    Clifford Taylor KALLO FOLK DANCE
    Piano (4-hands)
    Clifford Taylor MASQUERADE(Songs & Incidental Music)
    Voices and/or piano
    Clifford Taylor MOVEMENT FOR THREE
    Violin, cello, piano
    Clifford Taylor MUSIC FOR THE COMEDY: DREAM, ASSOCIATIONS & WAKING
    Piano

    Additional Works