Spier, LaSalle

Deceased. Spier was the brother of Vera Kuhn, wife of the painter Walt Kuhn.

A musical journey to Luray, Virginia, site of Luray Caverns and The Singing Tower, housing the Luray Carillon. The "phantom army" was Stonewall Jackson's during the Civil War. Commissioned by Richard Bales. Composed 1949. First performance Festival of American Music, Washington, D.C., 8 May 1949, National Gallery Orchestra, Richard Bales conductor, Ray Hinshaw soloist.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Inspired by the so-named section of New York City, and by Chinatown. Originally composed for piano 4-hands, 1919. Also arranged for 2 pianos and performed as a ballet Roosevelt High School, Washington, D.C., 11 December 1935, the composer and Helene Finnacom pianists. This transcription commissioned by Hans Kindler, 1933. First performance Washington, D.C., 28 January 1934, National Symphony Orchestra, Hans Kindler conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Commissioned by Richard Bales. Composed 1957. First performance Festival of American Music, Washington, D.C., 25 May 1958, National Gallery Orchestra, Richard Bales conductor, taped solo of Charles T. Chapman, carilloneur at Luray Singing Tower, Luray, Virginia. Dedicated to Charles T. Chapman.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Invocation and Epilogue commissioned by Richard Bales. Entire suite commissioned by Howard Mitchell. Last 3 movements originally composed for piano solo in 1914. Invocation composed and Epilogue transcribed for orchestra 1950-51. First performance Washington, D.C., 7 January 1951, memorial concert for Hans Kindler, National Gallery Orchestra, Richard Bales, conductor. Dedication, Requiescat and Coda added 1951-52. First complete performance Washington, D.C., 19 March 1952, National Symphony Orchestra, Howard Mitchell, conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

All themes are original except for the Flathead Indian song and the hymn tune Hamburg. Commissioned by Richard Bales. Composed 1952. First performance Festival of American Music, Washington, D.C., 17 May 1953, National Gallery Orchestra, Richard Bales conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

Composed 1959. First performance Washington, D.C., 20 March 1960, American University Orchestra, George Steiner conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.