sherman, Norman (Morris)
sherman, Norman (Morris)
Sherman, Norman (Morris), American bassoonist, teacher, and composer; b. Boston, Feb. 25, 1926. He studied composition with Roslyn Brogue Henning and at Boston Univ. (1946–50), where he also received instruction in bassoon from Ernst Panenka, and subsequently attended Messiaen’s analysis class at the Paris Cons. (1950). He was principal bassoonist with the Winnipeg Sym. Orch. (1957–61), the Residentie Orch. in The Hague (1961–69), the National Arts Centre Orch. in Ottawa (1969–73), the Israel Radio Orch. (1973–74), and the Kingston (Ont.) Sym. Orch. (1974–91). He also taught composition, bassoon, and chamber music at the Queen’s Univ. in Kingston (from 1974).
Works
DRAMATIC: Ballet : The Red Seed (1950). ORCH .: Sinfonia concertante for Bassoon and Strings (1950; Winnipeg, Jan. 19, 1961); 2 Pieces (1952–62); Through the Rainbow and/or Across the Valley (1966–67; Rotterdam, April 25, 1968); Thesis (Kingston, March 23, 1975); Canadian Summer (1976); The 2-Bit Dance Hall (1980); Garden of Love for Strings, Brass, and Percussion (1988). band : The Pioneers (1982). CHAMBER : Concerto for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, and Piano (1948); Traditions for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1948); The Reunion for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1971; CBC, Feb. 4, 1979); Quadron for String Quartet (Kingston, July 15, 1976); Quintessant for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon (Kingston, May 11, 1977); Bouquet for Piano or Celesta, Clarinet, and 3 Percussion (1978); Icthyon for 13 Strings (1979); Entretien for Flute and Bassoon (1981); Euphoria for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, and Percussion (1983); Tango for Flute, Horn, Viola, and Cello (1984); La Bodega for Flute and Guitar (1987); Retort for Accordion and Percussion (1993); Et cetera for Guitar Quartet (1995); Tutti Flutti for 9 Flutes (1997); The National Anthem of the Moon for Trumpet, Horn, and Trombone (1999); piano pieces. VOCAL: The Events of November 10, 1812 for Narrator and Orch. (1978).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire