Hartley, Walter S(inclair)

Hartley, Walter S(inclair), American composer, pianist, and teacher; b. Washington, D.C., Feb. 21, 1927. He studied with Phillips, Rogers, and Hanson at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. (B.M., 1950; M.M., 1951; Ph.D., 1953). He taught at the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich. (1956–64), and at Davis and Elkins Coll. in W.Va. (1958–69). He then was prof, of music at the State Univ. of N.Y. Coll. at Fredonia (1969–91), and was also active as a pianist, especially in chamber music settings. His works for brass and saxophones and for band or wind ensemble have been widely performed.

Works

ORCH.: Sinfonietta (1950); 3 Patterns for Small Orch. (1951); Triptych (1951); Elegy for Strings (1952); Sonatina for Trumpet and Small Orch. (1952); Piano Concerto (1952); Concert Overture (1954); Chamber Sym. (1954); Scenes from Lorca’s Blood Wedding (1956); Elizabethan Dances (1962); Festive Music (1963); Psalm for Strings (1964); Partita for Chamber Orch. (1964); Variations (1973); Sym. No. 3 (1983); Sinfonia No. 7 (1986); Concerto No. 2 for Alto Saxophone and Small Orch. (1989); Fantasia for Tuba and Chamber Orch. (1989); Bagatelles (1992); Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Orch. or Wind Ensemble (1992); Concerto breve for Bass Trombone and Small Orch. (1995); Sinfonia No. 11 (1996). band or wind ensemble: Concerto for 23 Winds (1957); several sinfonias (1961–98); Alto Saxophone Concerto (1966); 2 syms. for Winds (1970, 1978); Southern Tier Suite (1972); Bacchanalia (1975); Concertino for Tenor Saxophone and Band (1977–78); Coast Guard Overture (1981); Catskill Suite (1982); Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Wind Ensemble (1992); Lyric Symphony (1993); Centennial Symphony (1995); Triple Quartet for Trombone, Euphoniums, and Tubas (1995); Music for 12 Saxophones (1997); Trio Concerto for Saxophones and Band (1999); 2 Studies for Band (1999). CHAMBER: 2 string quartets (1950, 1962); Woodwind Quartet (1950); Violin Sonata (1951); Viola Sonata (1952); Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1953); Divertimento for Cello and Woodwind Quintet (1956); Sonata concertante for Trombone and Piano (1958); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1960); Serenade for Woodwind Quintet and String Bass (1963); Tuba Sonata (1967); Suite for Saxophone Quartet (1972); Concerto for Tub and 6 Percussion Players (1974); Baritone Saxophone Sonata (1976); 3 brass quintets (n.d., 1977, 1997); Quintet for Saxophones (1981); Trio for Saxophones (1984); Sonata Elegiaca for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1987); Sinfonia No. 8 for 5 Percussion Players (1987); Quartet for 4 Guitars (1987); Trio for Reeds and Piano (1987); Chamber Concerto for Baritone Saxophone and Wind Octet (1988); Sextet for Euphonium and Woodwind Quintet (1993); Double Quartet for Saxophones and Brass (1994); Concertino for Piano and Saxophone Quartet (1994); Concertino da camera for Soprano Saxophone and Brass Quintet (1994); Sonata for Oboe or Soprano Saxophone and Piano (1994); Alto Saxophone Quartet (1996); Andante and Scherzo for 4 Bassoons (1998); Clarinet Quartet (1998); Prelude, Cadenza, and Rondo for Cello and Piano (1999). Piano: 2 sonatas (1955, 1968); 3 Preludes (1977); Suite for 2 Pianos (1995; orch. 1999). VOCAL: A Psalm Cycle for Voice, Flute, and Piano (1967); Canticles for Soloists, Chorus, and Wind Ensemble (1970–71).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire