Donovan, Richard, 1891-1970

Inspired by Carl Sanburg's poem Smoke and steel. Composed 1932.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Smoke and steel : symphonic poem for orchestra / by Richard Donovan. 1932. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393299

American composer.

From the description of The Richard Donovan papers, 1913-1971 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702191441

From the description of The Richard Donovan papers, 1913-1971 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 122354724

Composed 1937. First performance (of 2nd movement only) at the Fourth Yaddo Music Period, Saratoga Springs, N.Y., 18 September 1937, Yaddo Chamber Orchestra, the composer conducting.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony for chamber orchestra / Richard Donovan. 1937. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393425

Composed 1960; revised 1961. First performance Houston, Texas, 18 March 1960, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski conductor, Paul Tucci soloist.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Fantasia for solo bassoon and seven instruments / Richard Donovan. c1961. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393202

Composed 1926 as Poem for flute and string orchestra. First performance at the 50th anniversary celebration of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 14 June 1925, Smith College Symphony Orchestra, the composer conducting, F. Kuloukis soloist. Revised and retitled 1939.

From the description of Wood notes for flute, harp and string orchestra / Richard (Frank) Donovan. 1924. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393509

"In the style of" Vermont folk tunes. Composed 1949. First performance New Haven, Connecticut, 1 November 1949, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the composer conducting.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Passacaglia on Vermont folk tunes : for orchestra / Richard Donovan. 1949. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393258

Composed 1938 as Allegro-Fugato for Oboe and Strings. First performance at the 5th Yaddo Music Period, Saratoga Springs, New York, 11 September 1938, Yaddo Chamber Orchestra, the composer conducting, Arno Mariotti, soloist. Revised and retitled 1939. First performance Rochester, New York, 25 April 1939, Eastman School Little Symphony Orchestra, Frederick Fennell conductor, Ezra Kotzin soloist.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Ricercare / Richard Donovan. [19--]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 44393265

Richard Frank Donovan was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 29, 1891. He attended the Yale School of Music and the Institute of Musical Art, receiving his bachelor's degree from the latter in 1922. He also taught at the Institute (later known as the Juilliard School) for several years. After teaching, conducting, and playing the organ in New York, Donovan became the director of music at the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut in 1920. Three years later he joined the music faculty at Smith College, and in 1928 he returned to the Yale School of Music, first as an instructor, and later (1947) as Battell Professor of the Theory of Music; he also served as Acting Dean in 1940-1941.

In addition to teaching, Donovan served in several other musical capacities in New Haven. He conducted the Bach Cantata Club from 1933 until 1944, worked with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra as associate conductor from 1936 until 1951, and was organist and choirmaster of Christ Church from 1928 until 1966. Donovan was also affiliated with the Pan American Association of Composers and Yaddo (for which he served as a director of the corporation). He served on the Board of Governors of the American Composers Alliance, and was a member of the Executive Board of New Music publications.

Richard Donovan died on August 22, 1970 in Middletown, Connecticut.

From the guide to the The Richard Donovan Papers, 1913-1971 (inclusive), (Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, Yale University)