Rathburn, Eldon (Davis)

Rathburn, Eldon (Davis) , Canadian composer; b. Queenstown, New Brunswick, April 21, 1916. He studied composition with Willan, organ with Peaker, and piano with Godden at the Toronto Cons. of Music (1938–39). From 1947 to 1976 he served as staff composer for the National Film Board; also taught film composition at the Univ. of Ottawa (1972–76). Among his film scores for documentaries are The Romance of Transportation (1952), City of Gold (1957), and Labyrinth (1967).

Works

ORCH.: Symphonette (1943; rev. 1946); 2 Cartoons (1944, 1946); Images of Childhood (1949–50); Overture to a Hoss Opera (1952); Nocturne for Piano and Small Orch. (1953); Overture burlesca (1953); Milk Maid Polka (1956); Gray City (1960); City of Gold, suite from musk to the film (1967); Aspects of Railroads (1969); 3 Ironies for Solo Brass Quintet and Orch. (Hamilton, Ontario, Oct. 15, 1975); Steelhenge, Steel Band concerto (1975); The Train toMariposa (1986). CHAMBER : 5 Short Pieces for differing combinations of Winds, each piece having a separate title (1949–56); In 3 Rounds for Guitar and Double Bass (1971); The Metamorphic 10 for Accordion, Mandolin, Banjo, Guitar, Double Bass, Harp, Piano, Celesta, and 3 Percussionists (1971); 2 Interplays for Saxophone Quartet (1972); Rhythmette for 2 Pianos and Rhythm Band (1973); The Nomadic 5, brass quintet (1974); Turbo for Brass Quintet (1978); The Rise and the Ml of the Steam Railroad for Chamber Ensemble (1983); Dorion Crossing, trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano (1987); 2 Railoramas for Woodwind Quintet (1990). Piano : Silhouette for 2 Pianos (1936); Black and White (1970); The Iron Horses of Delson (1980); 6 Railroad Preludes (1987).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire