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.

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