Haussermann, John (William Jr.)

Haussermann, John (William Jr.), American composer; b. Manila, Philippines, Aug. 21, 1909; d. Denver, May 5, 1986. He was taken to New Richmond, Ohio, as a child and studied piano with local teachers. In 1924 he enrolled in the Cincinnati Cons, of Music, studying organ with Parvin Titus and theory with George Leighton. In 1930 he went to Paris, where he studied organ with Dupré and composition with Le Flem. Upon returning to the U.S., he was mainly active as a composer. His music is marked by a pragmatic sense of formal cohesion, which does not exclude a flair for innovation, as exemplified by his Concerto for Voice and Orch.

Works

ORCH.: 3 syms.: No. 1 (1938; partial perf., N.Y., May 28, 1939), No. 2 (1941; Cincinnati, March 31, 1944), and No. 3 (1947; Cincinnati, April 1, 1949); The After Christmas Suite (Cincinnati, March 22, 1938); Concerto for Voice and Orch. (Cincinnati, April 24, 1942); Ronde carnavalesque (N.Y., Feb. 6, 1949); Stanza for Violin and Orch. (Mallorca, Spain, Feb. 22, 1956); Concerto for Organ and Strings (1985). CHAMBER: Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Harpsichord (1935); String Quartet (1937); Suite rustique for Flute, Cello, and Piano (1937); Divertissements for String Quartet (1940); Poème et Clair de lune for Violin and Piano (1940); Violin Sonata (1941); Serenade for Theremin and Strings (1945). keyboard: piano: 24 préludes symphoniques (1932–33); Sonatine fantastique (1932); Pastoral fantasie for 2 Pianos, 4-Hands (1933); Ballade, Burlesque, et Légende (1936); 7 Bagatelles (1948); 9 Impromptus (1958); 5 Harmonie Études (1968). organ: Numerous pieces. VOCAL: Sacred Cantata for Baritone and Orch. (Cincinnati, Jan. 31, 1965); many songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire