John Harris Harbison was born on December 20, 1938, in Orange, New Jersey, to the historian Elmore Harris Harbison and Janet German Harbison. The Harbisons were a musical family; Elmore had studied composition in his youth and Janet wrote songs. Harbison's sisters Helen and Margaret were musicians as well. He won the prestigious BMI Foundation's Student Composer Awards for composition at the age of sixteen in 1954. He studied music at Harvard University (BA 1960), where he sang with the Harvard Glee Club, and later at the Berlin Musikhochschule and at Princeton (MFA 1963). He is an Institute Professor of music at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a former student of Walter Piston and Roger Sessions. His works include several symphonies, string quartets, and concerti for violin, viola, and bass viol (double bass).
He won the Pulitzer Prize for music in 1987 for The Flight into Egypt, and in 1989 he received a $305,000 MacArthur Fellowship. In 1998 he was awarded the 4th Annual Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities. In 2006 a recording of his Mottetti di Montale was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Small Ensemble Performance category.
The Metropolitan Opera commissioned Harbison's The Great Gatsby to celebrate James Levine's 25th anniversary with the company. The opera premiered on December 20, 1999, conducted by Levine and starring Jerry Hadley, Dawn Upshaw, Susan Graham, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Mark Baker, Dwayne Croft, and Richard Paul Fink.
In 1991, Harbison was the Music Director of the Ojai Music Festival in conjunction with Peter Maxwell Davies.
Harbison was jointly commissioned by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity and the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to write a piece for the "Papal Concert of Reconciliation." The event was co-officiated by the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Rav Elio Toaff, the Imam of the Mosque of Rome, Abdulawahab Hussein Gomaa, and Pope John Paul II. Abraham, a six-minute composition for brass and antiphonal choirs, had its world premiere on January 17, 2004, performed by members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and a choir made up of members of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the London Philharmonic Choir, the Krakow Philharmonic Choir, and the Ankara Polyphonic Choir, under the baton of Sir Gilbert Levine.
Harbison was previously the principal guest conductor for Emmanuel Music in Boston; after founding director Craig Smith's untimely death in 2007, Harbison was named Acting Artistic Director.
When asked in 1990 for his "artistic credo" Harbison replied: "to make each piece different from the others, to find clear, fresh large designs, to reinvent traditions."
He is married to violinist Rose Mary Harbison (née Pederson).
Mirabai Songs / Variations (1987). Northeastern Records NR 230-CD. Performed by Janice Felty, mezzo-soprano, Collage New Music Ensemble, conducted by John Harbison — Rose Mary Harbison, violin; David Satz, clarinet; Ursula Oppens, piano. Tracks 1-6: Mirabai Songs, text from Mirabai Versions by Robert Bly. Tracks 7-10: Variations, for violin, clarinet, and piano. Track Listing:- I. It's True, I Went to the Market
- II. All I Was Doing Was Breathing
- III. Why Mira Can't Go Back to Her Old House
- IV. Where Did You Go?
- V. The Clouds
- VI. Don't Go, Don't Go
- Variations i-v
- Variations vi-x
- Variations xi-xv
- Finale and Epilogue
The Flight into Egypt and other works by John Harbison (1990). New World Records 80395-2. Performed by The Cantata Singers and Ensemble, The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, and The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by David Hoose, John Harbison, and André Previn. Tracks:- The Flight into Egypt, text from the King James translation of the story of the Flight into Egypt in the Gospel of Matthew
- The Natural World: Prelude
- Where We Must Look for Help, text from Robert Bly
- On the Road Home, text from Wallace Stevens
- Milkweed, text from James Wright
- Concerto for Double Brass Choir and Orchestra: I. Invention on a Motif: Tempo giusto
- II. Invention on a Chord: Cantabile
- III. Invention on a Cadence: Molto allegro
At First Light (1998). Archetype Records 60106. Performed by Lorraine Hunt, mezzo-soprano, Dawn Upshaw, soprano, Greenleaf Chamber Players, and Metamorphosen Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. Tracks:- Due Libri dei Mottetti di Montale
- Snow Country
- Chorale Cantata
- Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet, and Strings
John Harbison: Ulysses' Bow / Samuel Chapter (2004). First Edition ASIN: B0002RQ35C. Tracks:- Ulysses' Bow ballet performed by Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and conducted by André Previn
- Samuel Chapter performed by Susan Larson (soprano) and conducted by John Harbison
The Reawakening, String Quartet No. 3, Fantasia on a Ground, Thanks Victor (2001). Musica Omnia om0110. Lydian String Quartet, Dominique Labelle, soprano.World Premiere Recordings: Violin Concerto, Recordare, Seven Motets (1997). Koch 3-7310-2-H1. Emmanuel Music, Craig Smith, conductor, Rose-Mary Harbison, violin.Sessions: Symphony No. 2; Harbison: Symphony No. 2, Oboe Concerto (1994). london 443 376-2. San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Bloomstedt, conductor, William Bennet, oboe.String Quartet No.1/String Quartet No. 2/November 19, 1828 (1992). Lydian String Quartet, Yehudi Wyner, piano.Simple Daylight/Words from Patterson/Piano Quintet, (1999). Electra Nonesuch 79189-2. Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Gilbert Kalish, piano, Sanford Sylvan, baritone, Dawn Upshaw, soprano.Four Psalms/Emerson (2004). New World Records 80613-2. Cantata Singers and Ensemble, David Hoose, conductor.Mottetti di Montale (2005). Koch KIC-CD-7545. Collage New Music, David Hoose, music director, Janice Felty and Margaret Lattimore mezzo-sopranos.Full Moon in March (1977)Chamber operaWinter's Tale (1979)Based on the play by William ShakespeareThe Great Gatsby (1999)commissioned by the Metropolitan OperaBased on the novel by F. Scott FitzgeraldUlysses (1983)Incidental Music from The Merchant of Venice (1971), for string orchestraElegiac Songs (1974), for mezzo-soprano & chamber orchestracommissioned by the Fromm Music FoundationDiotima (1976)commissioned by the Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of CongressPiano Concerto (1978), for piano & chamber orchestraSnow Country (1979), for oboe & string orchestracommissioned by Dr. Maurice Pechet, New England Arts PatronViolin Concerto (1978–80), for violin & chamber orchestraSymphony No. 1 (1981)Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet and String Orchestra (1985)Remembering Gatsby (1985)commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 2 (1987)Concerto for Double Brass Choir and Orchestra (1988), for twelve brass soli & chamber orchestraViola Concerto (1988), for viola & orchestraSymphony No. 3 (1990)David's Fascinating Rhythm Method (1991), for chamber orchestracommissioned by the Baltimore Symphony OrchestraThree City Blocks (1991), for concert bandcommissioned by the concert bands of the New England Conservatory, University of Cincinnati, Florida State University, U.S. Air Force, Ohio State University, University of Michigan and University of Southern California.Oboe Concerto (1991), for oboe & orchestraCello Concerto (1993), for cello & orchestraThe Most Often Used Chords (1993), for chamber orchestracommissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber OrchestraFlute Concerto (1994), for flute & orchestraOlympic Dances (1996), for concert bandcommissioned by the College Band Directors National AssociationPartita (2001)Symphony No. 4 (2003)Crane Sightings (2004), for violin & string orchestrawritten for Rose Mary Harbison, the composer's wifeDarkbloom: Overture for an Imagined Opera (2004)commissioned by the Boston Symphony OrchestraCanonical American Songbook (2005)commissioned by the Albany Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Bass Viol (2005), for double bass & chamber orchestraMilosz Songs (2006), for soprano & orchestracommissioned by the New York Philharmonic for Dawn UpshawThe Great Gatsby – Suite (2007)commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival and SchoolSymphony No. 5 (2007), for mezzo-soprano, baritone soli & orchestraMary Lou (Four Symphonic Memories of Mary Lou Williams) (2008)commissioned by the Pittsburgh Youth SymphonyDouble Concerto for Violin and Cello (2009), for violin, cello & orchestraSymphony No. 6 (2011), for mezzo-soprano and orchestraIn Spiritu: Prayer (1955), for a cappella male-voice choirAve Maria (1959), for a cappella S.S.A.A. choirHe Shall Not Cry (1959), for S.A. choir & organFive Songs of Experience (1971), for S.A.T.B. choir, two percussion & string quartetcommissioned by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Boston for the Cantata SingersMusic When Soft Voices Die (1966), for S.A.T.B. choir & harpsichord or organcommissioned by the Cantata SingersNunc Dimittis (1975), for T.B. choir & pianocommissioned by the Harvard Glee ClubThe Flower-Fed Buffaloes (1976), for baritone solo, S.S.A.T.B.B. choir & instrumental ensemblecommissioned by the New York State Bar AssociationThe Flight into Egypt (1986), for soprano, baritone soli, S.A.T.B. choir & chamber orchestracommissioned by the Cantata SingersTwo Emmanuel Motets (1990), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choircommissioned by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, BostonAve Verum Corpus (1991), for a cappella S.S.A.T.B. choircommissioned by the Emmanuel Choir, Boston and the Ojai FestivalO Magnum Mysterium (1991/92), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choircommissioned by Saturday Evening BrassVeni Creator Spiritus (1992), for a cappella T.B. choircommissioned by the Rosalind Denny Lewis Music Library at the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCommunion Words (1994), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choirConcerning Them Which Are Asleep (1994), for a cappella S.S.A.T.B.B. choirEmerson (1995), a cappella S.A.T.B. double choircommissioned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music for their 100th anniversary (1995)Juste Judex (1995), for mezzo-soprano, baritone soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestracommissioned as part of the Requiem of ReconciliationEvening (Der Abend) (1997), for a cappella S.A.T.B. double choirFour Psalms (1998), for S.A.T.B. soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestracommissioned by the Israeli Consulate for the Chicago SymphonyPsalm 137 (1998), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choirRequiem (1985–2002), for S.A.T.B. soli, S.A.T.B. choir & orchestraWe do not live to ourselves (2002), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choirAbraham (2004), for double S.A.T.B. choir & two large brass choirscommissioned for the Papal Concert of Reconciliation in Rome for the Ankara Polyphonic Choir, London Philharmonic Choir, Krakow Philharmonic Choir and musicians from the Pittsburgh SymphonyCharity Never Faileth (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choirLet Not Your Heart Be Troubled (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choirMy Little Children, Let Us Not Love in Word (2004), for a cappella S.A.T.B. choircommissioned by the Cantata SingersBut Mary Stood (2005), for soprano solo, choir & string orchestracommissioned by the Cantata SingersUmbrian Landscape with Saint (2005), for optional choir & chamber ensemblecommissioned by the Chicago Chamber MusiciansA Clear Midnight (2007), for T.T.B.B. choir & five stringscommissioned by the Georgina Joshi Foundation for Indiana University and the Pro Arte SingersMadrigal (2007), for a cappella S.A.T.B.B. choircommissioned by the New York Virtuoso SingersKoussevitzky Said: Choral Scherzo with Orchestra (2012), for S.A.T.B. choir & orchestra: commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Tanglewood Music FestivalAndante con moto (1955), for cello & pianoDuo (1961), for flute & pianoCanzonetta (1962), for bassoon quartetConfinement (1965), for twelve playerswritten for the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and Arthur WeisbergSerenade (1968), for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, viola & celloPiano Trio (1969), for violin, cello & pianoBermuda Triangle (1970), for tenor saxophone, electric organ & amplified cellocommissioned by the New York CamerataDie Kurze (1970), for flute, clarinet, piano, violin & cellocommissioned by the New York Composer's ForumSnow Country (1979), for oboe & string quintetcommissioned by Dr. Maurice PechetWind Quintet (1979), for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn & bassoonDue Libri (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine playerscommissioned by the New York Philomusica and Robert LevinMottetti di Montale (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players or pianocommissioned by New York Philomusica, the University of Oregon and CollageOrganum for Paul Fromm (1981), for glockenspiel, marimba, vibraphone, harpsichord & pianocommissioned by the University of ChicagoPiano Quintet (1981), for two violins, viola, cello & pianoExequien for Calvin Simmons (1982), for seven playersOverture: Michael Kohlhaas (1982), for twelve brassVariations (1982), for clarinet, violin & pianoString Quartet No. 1 (1985), for two violins, viola & celloTwilight Music (1985), for horn, violin & pianocommissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln CenterFanfare for Foley's (1986), for twelve brass & two percussionMusic for Eighteen Winds (1986)commissioned by the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyString Quartet No. 2 (1987), for two violins, viola & celloTwo Chorale Preludes for Advent (from "Christmas Vespers") (1987), for brass quintetFantasy-Duo (1988), for violin & pianocommissioned by the McKim Fund in the Library of Congress for David Abel and Julie SteinbergLittle Fantasy on "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (1988), for brass quintetNovember 19, 1828 (1988), for violin, viola, cello & pianocommissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts for the Atlanta Chamber Players, the Da Capo Chamber Players and Voices of ChangeFanfares and Reflection (1990), for two violinscommissioned by Token Creek FestivalFourteen Fabled Folksongs (1992), for violin & marimbaPrelude (1993), for cello & pianoString Quartet No. 3 (1993), for two violins, viola & celloSan Antonio (1994), for alto saxophone & pianoThanks Victor (1994), for string quartetcommissioned by the Lydian QuartetTrio Sonata (1994), for three clarinets or three saxophones or oboe, cor Anglais & bassoon or string trioFanfare for a Free Man (1997), for three oboes & three bassoonsLa Primavera di Sottoripa (1998), for mezzo-soprano & nine playerscommissioned by the Santa Fe Chamber Music FestivalNorth and South (2000), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & seven playerswritten for Lorraine Hunt LiebersonSix American Painters (2000), for flute/oboe, violin, viola & cellocommissioned by the radio station WGUC CincinnatiChaconne (2001), for flute, clarinet, violin, cello & pianoString Quartet No. 4 (2002), for two violins, viola & celloCucaraccia and Fugue (2003), for four violascommissioned by the Token Creek FestivalTrio II. (2003), for violin, cello & pianoSongs America Loves to Sing (2004), for flute, clarinet, piano, violin & cellocommissioned by the Atlanta Chamber Players and the Da Capo Chamber PlayersAbu Ghraib (2006), for cello & pianocommissioned by the Rockport Festival for Rhonda Rider and David DeveauDeep Dances (2006), for cello & double basscommissioned by the Bank of America Celebrity Series for Rebecca RiceFrench Horn Suite (2006), for four French hornscommissioned by the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCortège: in memoriam Donald Sur (2008), for percussion sextetcommissioned by the New England Conservatory Percussion EnsembleDiamond Watch (2010), for two pianoscommissioned by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Priscilla Myrick Diamond for Peter Diamond and pianist Robert LevinDue Libri (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine playerscommissioned by the New York Philomusica and Robert LevinMottetti di Montale (1980), for mezzo-soprano & nine players or pianocommissioned by New York Philomusica, the University of Oregon and CollageMirabai Songs (1982), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & eight players or pianoDecember 1 (1995), for mezzo-soprano & chamber orchestraLa Primavera di Sottoripa (1998), for mezzo-soprano & nine playerscommissioned by the Santa Fe Chamber Music FestivalIl Saliscendi Bianco (1999), for mezzo-soprano & nine playerscommissioned by CollageNorth and South (2000), for soprano/mezzo-soprano & seven playerswritten for Lorraine Hunt LiebersonAin't Goin' to Study War No More (2003), for baritone, two trumpets, snare drum & string orchestraMilosz Songs (2006), for soprano & orchestracommissioned by the New York Philharmonic for Dawn UpshawAmazing Grace (1972), for oboecommissioned by oboist Philip WestFour Occasional Pieces (1978), for pianowritten for André Previn, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and in memory of John Boros, respectivelyFour Songs of Solitude (1985), for violinwritten for the composer's wife, Rose Mary HarbisonFour More Occasional Pieces (1987), for pianowritten for Joan Tower, Harriet Thiele, Rose Mary Harbison and Milo Feinberg, respectivelySonata No. 1 - In Memoriam Roger Sessions (1987), for pianocommissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts for Robert Shannon, Ursula Oppens and Alan FeinbergSuite (1993), for celloTrio Sonata (1994), for piano or harpsichord or fortepiano or electric keyboardcommissioned by the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyGatsby Etudes (1999), for pianoA Violist's Notebook, Book 1 (1998–2000), for violaSonata No. 2 (2001), for pianoA Violist's Notebook, Book 2 (2002), for violaMontale Sketches (2002), for pianoafter three poems by Eugenio MontaleTen Micro-Waltzes (2004), for pianoLeonard Stein Anagrams (2009)written for Leonard Stein