Jones, (Herbert) Kelsey

Jones, (Herbert) Kelsey, American-born Canadian composer, harpsichordist, and teacher; b. South Norwalk, Conn., June 17, 1922. He went to Canada in 1939, and became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1956. He studied with Harold Hamer at Mount Allison Univ. (B.Mus., 1945), then with Sir Ernest MacMillan, Healey Willan, and Leo Smith at the Univ. of Toronto (B.Mus., 1946; D.Mus., 1951), and with Boulanger in Paris (1949–50). He was founder- conductor of the St. John (New Brunswick) Sym. Orch. (1950–54). From 1954 to 1984 he taught at McGill Univ. in Montreal. His output is traditional in nature but not without effective utilization of dissonant writing.

Works

chamberOpera: Sam Slick, (Halifax, Sept. 5, 1967). ORCH.: Miramichi Ballad (1954); Suite for Flute and Strings (1954); Adagio, Presto, and Fugue for String Quartet and String Orch. (1973); Fantasy on a Theme (1976). Jazz Band: Jazzum Opus Unum (1978). CHAMBER: 4 Pieces for Recorder Quartet (1955); Mosaic for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1956); Sonata da camera for Flute, Oboe, and Harpsichord (1957); Introduction and Fugue for Violin and Piano (1959); Rondo for Flute (1963); Sonata da chiesa for Flute, Oboe, and Harpsichord (1967); Wind Quintet (1968); Passacaglia and Fugue for Brass Quintet (1978); Musica d’Occasione for Brass Quintet (1982). VOCAL: Nonsense Songs for Chorus (1955); Songs of Time for Chorus and Piano, 4-Hands (1955); To Music, song cycle for Alto and Piano (1957); Songs of Experience for Chorus (1958); Prophecy of Micah for Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble (1963); Songs of Winter for Soprano, Alto, and Piano (1973); De Musica, con Amore for Chorus and Brass Quintet (1977); 3 Preludes and a Fugue: A Little Offering for Chorus and Saxophone (1982).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire