Bach, Jan (Morris)
Bach, Jan (Morris)
Bach, Jan (Morris), American composer and teacher; b. Forrest, III, Dec. 11, 1937. He pursued composition studies with Gaburo and Kelly at the Univ. of 111. (B.M., 1959; D.M.A., 1971); also took courses with Copland (becoming co-winner of the Koussevitzky prize at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, 1961), Gerhard, and Musgrave. From 1966 he taught theory and composition at Northern 111. Univ. in De Kalb. In his compositions, Bach effectively combines traditional and contemporary elements in an accessible style.
Works
DRAMATIC: The System, opera (1973; N.Y., March 5, 1974); The Student from Salamanca, opera (1979; N.Y., Oct. 9, 1980); Romeo and Juliet, incidental music (1984). ORCH.: Toccata (1959); Burgundy Variations (1968); Piano Concerto (1975; Chicago, July 8, 1981); Gala Fanfare (1979); Sprint (1982; Greenwich, Conn., March 26, 1983); Horn Concerto (Chicago, June 4, 1983); Escapade (1984); Alia Breve, fanfare-overture (1984); Dompes and Jompes for Strings (London, April 17, 1986); Harp Concerto (1986; Indianapolis, Feb. 6, 1987); Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble (1987); Estampie (1988); Euphonium Concerto (1990); Steel Drum Concerto (1994). band:Dionysia for Symphonic Band (1964); Recitative and March for Viola and Wind Ensemble (1966); The Eve of St. Agnes for Wind Ensemble (1976); Praetorius Suite for Concert Band (1977). CHAMBER: String Trio (1956); Divertimento for Oboe and Bassoon (1956); Quartet for Strings (1957); Clarinet Sonata (1957); Quintet for Oboe and Strings (1958); Partita for Flute, Harpsichord, and Cello (1958); Rondelle for Alto Flute, Violin, Horn or Bassoon, and Piano (1961); 4 2-Bit Contraptions for Flute and Horn (1964); Skizzen for Woodwind Quintet (1967); Turkish Music for Multi-percussion Solo (1967); Woodwork for Percussion Quartet (1970); Laudes for Brass Quintet (1971); Eisteddfod for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1972); My Very 1st Solo for Alto Saxophone and Electric Piano (1974); Canon and Caccia for 5 Horns (1977); Concert Variations for Euphonium and Piano (1977); Quintet for Tuba and Strings (1978); Lowlands for Contrabass and Piano (1981); French Suite for Horn (1982); Helix for Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, and 2 Percussionists (1983); New Egyptian Fanfare for 3 Trumpets and 3 Percussionists (1983); 8 Duetudes for Flute and Bassoon (1983) Gypsy Rock for String Quartet (1984); Little Suite for Harp (1984); Lazy Blues for 5 Bassoons (1985); Triptych for Brass Quintet (1989); Anachronisms for String Quartet (1991). Piano: 3 Bagatelles (1963; rev. 1971). VOCAL: 3 Shakespearean Songs for Chorus (1960: Exhotation for Chorus and Piano (1961; rev. 1964); A Lyke-wake Dirge for Chorus or Quartet (1962); Dirge for a Minstrel for Chorus (1969); 3 Choral Dances for Women’s Chorus (1969); Spectra for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1971); 3 Sonnets on Woman for Tenor and Harpsichord (1972); My Wilderness for Chorus (1974); The Oregon Trail for Tenor, Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1975); Hair Today for Chorus (1977); The Happy Prince for Narrator, Violin, and Chamber Orch. (1978); Laudate Dominum for Chorus, Children’s Chorus, and Organ (1981); 5 Sylvan Songs for Baritone and String Quartet (1981); A Solemn Music for Chorus (1987); We Have But Faith for Chorus and Organ (1988); With Trumpet and Drum for 16 Solo Voices and Piano (1991); People of Note for Voices and Instruments (1993).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire