Becker, John Joseph

John Joseph Becker, 1886-1961, was an American composer.

From the description of List of musical works by John J. Becker, [195-?]. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122314261

Music to the play by Alfred Kreymborg. Composed 1939.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Rain down death (a tragic march) : first orchestral suite from Stage work no. 5a / by John J. Becker. [1939] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42860016

Text is a poem by Ezra Pound which begins "Dark eyed O woman of my dreams." Composed 1932 as a ballet with poem.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Dance figure / by John J. Becker ; poem by Ezra Pound. [1932] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851892

Poem by Mark Turbyfill. Composed 1935. Dedicated to Charles E. Ives.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Stage work no. 3 : A marriage with space : a drama in color, light and sound for solo and mass dramatization, solo and dance group and large orchestra / music by John J. Becker ; poem by Mark Turbyfill. [1934] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42861017

Stage work no. 5-b is the second of three plays with music written in collaboration with Alfred Kreymborg. First performance, Albert Lea, Minnesota, 7 June 1940, Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, the composer conducting.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of When the willow nods : second orchestral suite in one movement from Stage work no. 5-b / by John Becker. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42860995

From 3rd movement of Symphony no. 6. Composed for Efrem Kurtz, 1942. Dedicated to General Douglas MacArthur and his gallant troops. For complete symphony see callno.: 4760 --Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Victory march for large orchestra / by John J. Becker. [1942] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42864664

Composed 1937.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Concerto for viola and orchestra / John J. Becker. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851350

Composed 1912. First performance Minneapolis, 8 August 1940, Minnesota Symphony Orchestra of the WPA, Bernhard Andersen conductor. According to numerous correspondences from the composer's widow, Evelyn Becker, these two pieces were incorrectly labelled "Two pieces for orchestra," and are actually the first two movements of the three-movement suite, "Cossack sketches," inspired by the Leo Tolstoy novel "The Cossacks."--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Two pieces for orchestra. I, Among the reeds and rushes / John J. Becker. 1912. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851495

This version completed 1920. Composer's note: The Agnus Dei section may be sung by a male choir. First performance of original version Frankfurt, Germany.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 2 : Fantasia tragica, a short symphony in one movement / John J. Becker. ca. 1920. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42861011

Composed 1933.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Abongo : stage work no. 2 : a primitive dance for percussion instruments, two solo dancers and dance-group / John J. Becker. [1933] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851296

Completed 1931. First performance St. Paul, Minnesota, 14 May 1936, Minnesota Symphony Orchestra of the WPA, Paul Lemay conductor. --Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphonia brevis : symphony number 3 / by John J. Becker. [1931] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42861081

Completed 1912. First performance Northrop Memorial Auditorium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 17 June 1936, Twin Cities Civic Orchestra of the WPA, Gabriel Fenyves conductor.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 1 : Etude primitive / John J. Becker. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42860998

Suggested by the Leo Tolstoy novel, The Cossacks. Composed 1912 as the third of a three movement suite. The other two were incorrectly labelled "Two pieces for orchestra."--Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Tartar song / by John Becker. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851568

Composed 1912. First performance Minneapolis, 8 August 1940, Minnesota Symphony Orchestra of the WPA, Bernhard Andersen conductor. According to numerous correspondences from the composer's widow, Evelyn Becker, these two pieces were incorrectly labelled "Two pieces for orchestra," and are actually the first two movements of the three-movement suite, "Cossack sketches, " inspired by the Leo Tolstoy novel "The Cossacks."--Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Two pieces for orchestra. No. 2, The mountains / John Becker. [19--?] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851527

Text for 2nd movement by Alfred Kreymborg. Text for 3rd movement by Abraham Lincoln. Victory march in 3rd movement written for Efrem Kurtz at his request. Composed 1941-42. Dedicated to the composer's three sons. Victory march also available separately, callno.: 4744.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 6 : Out of bondage, a symphony of democracy suggested by Lincoln's Gettysburg address for narrator, chorus and large orchestra / by John J. Becker. 1942. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42864658

Composed 1938.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Concertino pastorale : a forest rhapsody for two flutes and orchestra / by John J. Becker. 1933. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42851327

Composed 1942. Dedicated to Dr. Hans Rosenwald.--Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of Symphony no. 5 : Homage to Mozart in two movements / John J. Becker. [1942] (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42861091

John Joseph Becker (1886-1961) was an ultramodernist composer, conductor, and educator.

Becker was a member of a group of avant-garde composers known as a the "American Five." This group, which included Charles Ives, Henry Cowell, Carl Ruggles, and Wallingford Riegger, was known for its dissonant, distinctly American style of music that broke away from European styles of compostion. Becker wrote symphonies, concertos, orchestral suites, songs, and choral works (especially religious works). Among his notable works, A Marriage with Space (1935), is often cited as most representative of his new forms for the stage by incorporating sound, light, dance, and poetry. He was honored late in his career when his Symphonia Brevis (written in 1930-1931) was performed at Carnegie Hall in 1958. Based in the Midwest, Becker taught at Catholic schools in several states, including the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota (1929-1933). He also spent six years working as the Director of the Federal Music Project for the state of Minnesota (1935-1941). Throughout his career, Becker also wrote extensively about music and culture; he also served as an editor of New Music, along with Cowell, who had founded the publication.

From the description of John J. Becker papers, 1897-1991. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 79468066

Composer's note in score: with the exception of the Interludes, the piano is played as a percussion instrument. Commissioned by Diana Huebert and Carleton College, 1938. Composed 1938. First performance Northfield, Minnesota, 12 December 1938, by a group at Carleton College, the composer conducting, Diana Huebert, dancer. According to Don Gillespie via a phonecall 4/16/84, the correct title of this piece is Vigilante-1938, a dance. Our copy of the score only has the title "A dance," and this is the title as it appears on the questionnaire signed by the composer, and in the Catalog of

his works compiled by Evelyn Becker.-Cf. Fleisher Collection.

From the description of A dance / by John J. Becker. 1938. (Franklin & Marshall College). WorldCat record id: 42676057