Avery Claflin was an American composer. He was born on June 21, 1898 in New Hampshire. Claflin went on to study law and banking, and for 35 years he was employed at the French American Banking Corporation in New York. During this time, he also studied music with A.T. Davison at Harvard. After Word War I, Claflin traveled to France, where he met composers, such as Satie, Auric, Poulenc, and Milhaud, all of who became a great influence for him. He retired at the age of 54 and many of his works are dated around or after this time. He wrote four operas, including Hester Prynne (1929 -1933) and La Grande Bretéche (1946 - 1948).
From the guide to the Avery Claflin scores, 1929-1979, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)
Avery Claflin (1898-1979) was an American composer who studied law and business and pursued a career in banking. He took music courses at Harvard University, and was a business associate of Charles Ives. Claflin found time to be active in various musical organizations and to compose. Many of his works date from after his retirement in 1954.
From the guide to the Avery Claflin collection of non-commercial recordings [sound recording], (The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.)
