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 DUGOUT, THE
Clifford Taylor BALADE DE BON CONSEYL
Clifford Taylor PROCESSIONAL
Clifford Taylor SWELL PEOPLE
Clifford Taylor BEGGAR
Clifford Taylor SYMPHONY for organ, op.6
Organ (or piano)
Clifford Taylor TWO FOLK MADRIGALS,Op.9
SATB
Clifford Taylor SONATA,op.11
Violin, piano
Clifford Taylor COLLECTED SONGS voice, piano
Clifford Taylor SONATA NO.1,op.10
Piano
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 THEME & VARIATIONS,Op.8
Piccolo, flute (2), oboe (2), english horn, clarinet (2), bass clarinet, bassoon (2), contrabassoon, horn (4), trumpet (3), trombone (3), tuba, timpani, percussion (2), piano, strings
Clifford Taylor SUITE NO.1
Piano
Clifford Taylor CONCERTO GROSSO,Op.15 str orch
Clifford Taylor SYMPHONY NO.1,op.17
Flute (2), oboe (2), clarinet (2), bassoon (2), horn (4), trumpet (2), trombone (3), timpani, percussion (2), strings
Clifford Taylor QUINTET,Op.7
Woodwind quintet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn
Clifford Taylor CHACONNE orch:3-3-3-3,4-3-3-1,timp,str
Clifford Taylor STRING QUARTET(1959)
String quartet
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 TRIO
Clarinet, cello, piano
Clifford Taylor STRING QUARTET NO.1
String quartet
Clifford Taylor FANTASIA & FUGUE pf
Clifford Taylor CONCERT DUO vln,vcl
Clifford Taylor SACRED VERSES
SATB, flute (2)/piccolo, oboe (2)/english horn, clarinet (2), bass clarinet, bassoon (2), contrabassoon, horn (2), trumpet (2), trombone (2), tuba (1), timpani, percussion (3), harp, strings (OR organ, OR piano)

Additional Works