Davison, John (John H.)

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Composed 1973. First performance Philadelphia, 15 May 1974, Mostovoy Soloist, Marc Mostovoy conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Concerto grosso : for three violas and string orchestra / John Davison. 1973. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933425

Originally titled Rhapsody on a Gregorian Hymn. Based on the medieval plainchant hymn Pange Lingua. Composed 1974. Selected for performance by the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia as part of its Pennsylvania Composers Project 1977, made possible by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts with performance materials prepared by the Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music. Performed Main Hall, Drexel University, Philadelphia, 22 May 1977, Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, William Smith conductor. Dedication: "For William Reese and the Bryn Mawr-Haverford Orchestra; in memory of Joseph Dibble."--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Liturgy for orchestra / John Davison. 1974. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933774

Commissioned by the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia. Composed 1983. First performance Dover, Delaware, 23 September 1983, Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, Marc Mostovoy conductor, Roderick MacDonald bagpipe. For complete revised version (new score supplied by composer) with complete commentary, see callno.: 78m.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Arthur's return : for bagpipes [sic] and string orchestra / John Davison. [1983]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933752

The last movement is based on an English metrical psalm tune by an unknown composer, first published in Geneva, 1556, and associated with Sternhold's metrical version of Psalm 137. Composed 1957-58. First performanceRochester, New York, 16 April 1958, Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Howard Hanson conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 1 : for small orchestra / John Davison. [1958]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933846

Composed 1959; revised 1967.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Concerto for trombone and chamber orchestra / John Davison. [1967]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 65182420

Commissioned by the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia. Composed 1983. First performance Dover, Delaware, 23 September 1983, Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, Marc Mostovoy conductor, Roderick MacDonald bagpipe.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Arthur's return : for bagpipes and string orchestra / John Davison. [1983]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933685

Composed 1958-59. First performance Rochester, New York, 29 April 1959, Eastman-Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Howard Hanson conducting.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 2 / John Davison. [1959]. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933919

Composed 1985.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Sinfonia : for cimbalon and chamber orchestra / John Davison. 1985. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933797

Composed 1980.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 5 / John Davison. 1980. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 43933938

Written in 1976-1977. Commissioned by Philip Bogosian and dedicated to the chorus and orchestra of Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges under Tamara Brooks, who gave it its first performance in 1978.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Mass / John Davison. 1979. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 67291833

Epithet: of Add MS 36047

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000213.0x0002e6

Born May 31, 1930, in Istanbul, Turkey, to American parents, John Davison moved to the United States soon after his birth. He was raised in Auburn, NY, and New York City and “showed an early interest in music, studying piano and theory,” (Catherine Nardiello, Pianist). He was educated at Juilliard School’s lower school; Haverford College, graduating in 1951; Harvard University, earning his master’s degree; and the Eastman School of Music, earning his doctorate in creative composition. Among his teachers were Alfred Swan, Randall Thompson, Walter Piston, Bernard Rogers, Howard Hanson, Alan Hovhaness, and Robert Palmer (Haverford website).

In 1959, after obtaining his doctorate, Davison began teaching at Haverford College as the Ruth Marshall Magill Professor of Music. He continued to teach at Haverford until his death in 1999, and saved his students’ compositions throughout this period.

A prolific composer, “Davison's idiom is rooted in the great Western classic-romantic tradition with Baroque, Renaissance, jazz, modernist, and folk elements mixing in at times,” (Dram). He wrote for trumpet, trombone, piano, horn, and violin, in addition to less traditional instruments such as koto, cimbalom and bagpipe. His “compositions are published and recorded [and] have won awards and received numerous performances,” (Catherine Nardiello, Pianist). Among orchestras playing his compositions have been the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Susquehanna Symphony, and the Minnesota Orchestra. The Chestnut Brass Company recorded his Brass Quintet on their CD "Pastime with Good Company," and Albany Records issued an all-Davison CD (Haverford website).

In addition to his composing and teaching, Davison also co-authored a book about the songs of Robert Burns with John Ashmead. Davison also kept a sketchbook, where he drew figures occasionally used for concert programs and posters.

Bibliography:

Catherine Nardiello, Pianist. Record (Box 120).

DRAM. “Music of John Davison.” http://www.dramonline.org/albums/music-of-john-davison/notes (accessed October 1, 2009).

Haverford College Music Faculty Website, “In Memoriam” http://www.haverford.edu/musc/faculty/davison.html (accessed December 9th, 2009).

From the guide to the John Davison papers, 1938-1999, (Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Over the mountain / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Tonus peregrinus / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Symphony no. 6 / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Symphony no. 1 : for small orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Liturgy for orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Cello concerto / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf John Davison papers, 1938-1999 Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Magnificat and nunc dimittis : for mixed chorus and orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
referencedIn Quincy Porter Papers, 1897-1975 (inclusive) Irving S. Gilmore Music Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Arthur's return : for bagpipes [sic] and string orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Trio-fantasia : in one movement / John Davison. Bowling Green State University, BGSU Libraries
creatorOf Archer, Violet. Choral octavos by Yale alumni, 1897-1972 (inclusive). Yale University, Music Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Symphony no. 2 / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concerto grosso : for three violas and string orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Adagio for orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
referencedIn (III. ff. 192). 13 June, 1738-6 Feb. 1739.includes:f. 2 Tomlynson Busby: Suit v. Hartley: 1738. f. 2 b Thomas Johnson: Suit v. Coxeter: 1737-1739. f. 3 b Long Melford, Suffolk: Suit v. the Warden, etc., of Hospital at: 1737-1739. f. 3 b James John... British Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concertino for ten wind instruments, cello and bass / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concertino for oboe and chamber orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Piano music, 1955-1970 / John Davison. University of North Texas Library, UNT
creatorOf Velimirović, Miloš. Papers of Miloš Velimirović [manuscript], 1933-1990. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Correspondence with Eugene Ormandy, 1981. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Symphony no. 5 / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Mass / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concertino lirico for flute and orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concerto for trombone and chamber orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Todd, Laura. [Central State University Music Department presents Laura Todd, trombone, and David Neal, bass trombone] [sound recording] : [with Peggy Spence, piano accompaniment : April 3, 1977, 3:30 p.m., Choir Room, Music Building]. University of Central Oklahoma, Chambers Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Woodwind quintet / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Sextet : for English horn, strings, and piano / John Davison. Bowling Green State University, BGSU Libraries
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Suite for marimba and strings / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Concerto for harpsichord and strings / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Arthur's return : for bagpipes and string orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Triptych : three canticles from the Book of common prayer : for men's chorus and orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Sonata for horn and piano / John Davison. Bowling Green State University, BGSU Libraries
referencedIn Johnsonian Miscellanies, extra-illustrated, 1538-1900 (inclusive);, 1738-1866 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Davison, John (John H.). Sinfonia : for cimbalon and chamber orchestra / John Davison. Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Library
creatorOf Swan, Alfred J. (Alfred Julius), 1890-1970. Papers of Alfred J. Swan collected by his student John Davison, 1894-1955. University of Virginia. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Eastman School of Music. corporateBody
associatedWith Gerber, Steven R. person
associatedWith Harvard University. corporateBody
associatedWith Haverford College. corporateBody
correspondedWith Hill, George Birkbeck Norman, 1835-1903 person
associatedWith Juilliard School of Music. corporateBody
associatedWith Porter, Quincy, 1897-1966 person
correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
associatedWith Swan, Alfred J. (Alfred Julius), 1890-1970. person
associatedWith Todd, Laura. person
associatedWith Townsend, Wilson person
associatedWith Velimirović, Miloš. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
London, England
Birmingham, Warwickshire
Haverford (Pa.)
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Long Melford, Suffolk
Taunton, Somerset
Warwick, Warwickshire
Killpeck, Herefordshire
Eastrington, Yorkshire
North Tuddenham, Norfolk
Subject
Education
Bagpipe with string orchestra
Bagpipe with string orchestra
Canticles
Chamber orchestra music
Choruses, Sacred (Men's voices) with orchestra
Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices) with orchestra
Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices) with organ
Composers
Concertos (Flute)
Concertos (Harpsichord with string orchestra)
Concertos (Instrumental ensemble)
Concertos (Oboe with chamber orchestra)
Concertos (Trombone)
Concertos (Violas (3) with string orchestra)
Concertos (Violoncello)
Flute with orchestra
Harpsichord with string orchestra
Instrumental ensembles
Magnificat (Music)
Marimba with string orchestra
Masses
Music
Music
Nunc dimittis (Music)
Oboe with chamber orchestra
Opera
Orchestra
Orchestral music
Piano
Piano trios
Psalms (Music)
Sextets (Piano, English horn, violin, viola, violoncello, viola da gamba)
Sonatas (Horn and piano)
Sonatas (Piano)
Songs (Medium voice) with instrumental ensemble
Suites (Marimba with string orchestra)
Suites (Piano)
Symphonies
Symphonies (Chamber orchestra)
Symphonies (Cimbalon with chamber orchestra)
Trombone with orchestra
Violoncello with orchestra
Wind quintets (Bassoon, clarinet, flute, horn, oboe)
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1930-05-31

Death 1999

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6xh0hgv

SNAC ID: 40039604