Philip Bezanson

Biography

Philip Bezanson (January 6, 1916 – March 11, 1975) was an American composer and educator. Born in Athol, Massachusetts, he graduated from Yale University School of music in 1940 and after war services enrolled in the graduate program of composition at the State University of Iowa were he joined its faculty eight years later. In 1951 he received his Ph.D. and later became head of composition. He was made a professor in 1961. Dr. Bezanson studied composition with David Stanley Smith, Richard Donovan and Philip Greely Clapp.

A prolific and productive composer, Bezanson won several prestigious awards and received commissions from amongst others Dimitri Mitropoulos, namely a piano concerto in 1952. His most famous work is perhaps the opera "Golden Child" written in 1960 to a libretto by Paul Engle and first performed on television on the Hallmark Theatre. Several of his vocal and choral works use texts by Engle as well.

His notable students included Olly Wilson, M. William Karlins, and James Yannatos.

  • chorus+soloist(s)+orch/ens
  • ACE Publications

    26 title(s)
    Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
    Philip Bezanson BRASS SEXTET hn(2),tpt(2),tbn(2)
    Philip Bezanson CAPRICCIO CONCERTANTE 2/PIC-2-2- BCL-2, 2-2-3-0,timp,perc,str
    Philip Bezanson CONCERTINO ob & str orch(2-1-1-1)
    Philip Bezanson CONTRASTS Voice and Piano
    Philip Bezanson DIES DOMINI MAGNUS satb, 2 hn, 2tpt,2tbn,tb,timp
    Philip Bezanson DIVERTIMENTO org, tpt(2),tbn(2), timp
    Philip Bezanson DUO vcl, pf
    Philip Bezanson FOUR BAGATELLES
    Violin, piano
    Philip Bezanson HOMMAGE TO GREAT AMERICANS
    Philip Bezanson MEMORY
    SATB, horn (4), strings (4-2-2-1)
    Philip Bezanson PETITE SUITE
    Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone
    Philip Bezanson PIANO SONATINA
    Piano
    Philip Bezanson PIANO TRIO
    Violin, cello, piano
    Philip Bezanson RONDO-PRELUDE
    Flute (2), oboe (2), clarinet (2), bass clarinet, bassoon (2), contrabassoon, horn (4), trumpet (3), trombone (3), tuba (1), timpani, strings
    Philip Bezanson SINFONIA CONCERTANTE, for Orch
    Flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet (2), trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion, piano, strings
    Philip Bezanson SONATA FOR PIANO Piano
    Philip Bezanson SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO, SECOND
    Violin, piano
    Philip Bezanson SONATINA FOR CLARINET & PIANO Clarinet and Piano
    Philip Bezanson SONGS OF INNOCENCE (high)voice, & cham orch: 1-1-1-1,2-0-0-0, str
    Philip Bezanson STRING TRIO
    Violin, viola, cello
    Philip Bezanson THAT TIME MAY CEASE AND MIDNIGHT NEVER COME Bar, pic, 2fl, 2ob, eh, ebCl, 2Bbcl, bscl, cbcl, 2bsn, cbsn, 4hn, 3tpt, 3tbn, tba, perc
    Baritone voice, piccolo, flute (2), oboe (2), english horn, Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet (2), bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, bassoon (2), contrabassoon, horn (4), trumpet (3), trombone (3), tuba (1), percussion
    Philip Bezanson THAT TIME MAY CEASE AND MIDNIGHT NEVER COME
    Baritone, piano (or organ)
    Philip Bezanson TRIO
    Clarinet, horn, piano
    Philip Bezanson WESTERN CHILD
    Opera: SAT x3, SATB choir, flute (2), oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn (2), trumpet (2), trombone (2), timpani (3), strings
    Philip Bezanson WOODWIND QUINTET (Homage to Great Americans)
    Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn

    Additional Works