Griffes, Charles Tomlinson, 1884-1920

Originally composed for piano 1916 as No. 4 of Roman Sketches, Op. 7. Later transcribed for orchestra. First performance of orchestral version Philadelphia, 19 December 1919, Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Clouds / Charles T. Griffes. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52093517

American composer.

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : [New York], 27 August 1918, to Miss [Marion] Bauer, 1918 Aug. 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270578323

Between 1903 and 1907, Charles Griffes studied music in Berlin, Germany. He was a student at the Stern Conservatory from 1903-1905 and studied composition with Engelbert Humperkinck and piano with Gottfried Galston, 1905-1906. His Sonata in F Minor for piano was written in 1904. In 1907 he returned to the United States to become the Director of Music at the Hackley School, Tarrytown, N.Y.

From the description of Letters to his mother, Mrs. Wilbur G. Griffes. [between 1904 and 1905] (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122640261

Composed 1907 in Berlin.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphonische Phantasie / by Charles Tomlinson Griffes. 1907. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52093554

An early work composed in Berlin ca. 1905.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Overture / Griffes. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52093524

Composed 1917. First performance Atlantic City, New Jersey, 5 August 1917, Adolf Bolm's Ballet Intime, Tulle Lindahl and Michio Ito dancers.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Sho-Jo / Charles T. Griffes. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52093541

Griffes' music first appeared in print in 1909 when G. Schirmer published his German songs, which were written as a student in Berlin, Germany. For six years thereafter, despite Griffes' constant petitions, Schirmer refused to publish any more of his work, rejecting his newer music as "too shimmering" and not "deep". In November, 1914, the composer left five English song manuscripts with Mr. Schirmer himself who did accept and publish them, and six piano compostions, in 1915. In 1917, Griffes' Chinese and Japanese songs appeared in print, and, the next year, several song cycles, and three sets of piano pieces written for children under the pseudonym Arthur Tomlinson, were published. In 1920, his year of death, Griffes signed a royalty agreement with Schirmer to publish the Poem for flute and orchestra but this, along with much of his other music, was published posthumously.

From the description of Ledger of published compositions. 1918. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122571564

Originally composed for piano as No. 3 (Scherzo) of Fantasy Pieces, op. 6, 1913. First performance Philadelphia, 19 December 1919, Philadelphia Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Bacchanale / Charles T. Griffes. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 52096817

Charles Tomlinson Griffes was an American composer whose works include The White Peacock, The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan, and Poem for Flute and Orchestra. In 1907, upon his return from music study in Germany, he became a music teacher at the Hackley School for Boys in Tarrytown, N.Y., and continued his own study and composition.

From the guide to the Photographs of Hackley School and the Hudson Valley. [graphic], ca. 1907-1920, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)