Richard Johnston (composer)
Encyclopedia
Richard Johnston was a Canadian composer
, conductor
, editor
, folklorist, music critic, music educator, music producer, and university administrator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1957. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre
, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in February 1997. The library at the University of Calgary
holds a substantial amount of his papers, manuscripts, and transcripts in its "Richard Johnston Canadian Music Archives Collection". His original fieldwork tapes and transcripts made during his research as a folklorist are part of the collection at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
.
, he began his musical education with Ruth Crazier-Curtis. He entered Augustana College
in Rock Island, Illinois in 1934 but left the school after just one year. He later matriculated to Northwestern University
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
in 1942. He briefly taught on the music faculty of Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska before beginning private studies with Nadia Boulanger
in Madison, Wisconsin in 1943-1944. With her he performed the world premiere of Igor Stravinsky
's Sonata for Two Pianos (1944). He pursued graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music
from 1944-1947 where he earned both a Master of Music
and a Doctor of Philosophy
in music. He later studied music education throughout Eastern Europe, notably with Zoltan Kodály
in Hungary in 1965.
(UT). He taught at the school through 1968 during which time he taught classes in music theory
and spent a few years as the school's choir conductor. One of his notable pupils at the UT was R. Murray Schafer
. From 1954-1970 he was editor-in-chief of Songs for Today, a music publication for school music teachers. He served as president of the Ontario Music Educators' Association in 1958-1959 and in 1959 he helped establish the Canadian Music Educators' Association. From 1962-1968 he director of The Royal Conservatory of Music's Summer School where he also taught/supported courses in the Orff Schulwerk
method and the Kodály Method
of music education. He also was responsible for establishing the CAPAC-MacMillan lectures at the RCMT.
During the late 1940s through the 1960s, Johnston worked periodically for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
as a composer, arranger, conductor, and commentator. On 12 October 1949 he conducted the chorus for the Canadian premiere of Benjamin Britten
's Peter Grimes
for the opening of the CBC Opera Company's second season with William Morton
in the title role, Edmund Hockridge
as Captain Balstrode, Frances James
as Ellen Orford, Eric Tredwell as Swallow, and Gordon Wry
as Bob Boles. The production was awarded the Best Music Program prize at the 1950 Canadian Radio Awards Competition. He was a commentator for thee CBC Wednesday night program Vienna, the Glorious Age (1951) and the radio series Folk Music, A Living Canadian Art (1958).
Johnston also had a life long interest in folk music; most notably collecting more than 200 previously un-published folksongs and Métis fiddle music from the Saskatchewan region in 1957 through the sponsorship of the Canadian Museum of Civilization
and the Saskatchewan Arts Board
. In 1956 he helped found the Canadian Society for Traditional Music. He worked extensively with Edith Fowke
with whom he worked on the publications Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo Music Company
1954), Folk Songs of Quebec (Waterloo 1957), Chansons canadiennes françaises (Waterloo 1964), and More Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo 1967). He worked as a producer for two recordings with Joyce Sullivan: Folk Songs of Canada (for RCI
, also with baritone Glenn Gardiner) and Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo, also with Charles Jordan
). The Ensemble vocal Katimavik
recorded his arrangement of the Canadian folk song J'ai cueilli la belle rose. In 1984 he served as editor-in-chief of Folk Songs North America Sings and worked in the same capacity for the Kodály Society of Canada's three volumes titled Kodály and Education in 1986.
In 1968 Johnston was appointed the Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary
(UC). He remained in that position until 1973, after which he taught on the UC's music faculty until his retirement from teaching in 1982. At the UC he notably established the composer archives and for many years managed their continual expansion. In 1971 he was a founding member of the Alberta Music Conference, serving as the group's first president from 1971-1973. From 1971-1974 he was the vice-president of the Canadian Music Council, later serving on the CMC's publications committee during the late 1970s. In 1973 he was editor-in-chief of the Western Board of Music piano series Horizons and in 1977 he became the Alberta Composers' Association's first president.
After Johnston's retirement from teaching, he continued to compose and remained active on the committees of the Canadian Music Centre and the Canadian Society for Traditional Music. He was named a professor emeritus at the UC in 1985 and the university presented a concert of his works on 16 October 1987 in honour of his 70th birthday and again in 1992 for his 75th birthday. He also occasionally gave guest lectures, the last of which was given in tbe year of his death at the 1997 Kodály Summer Program in Calgary. He died in Calgary at the age of 80. He was married for many years to the pianist Yvonne Guiguet who had died earlier in 1985.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
, folklorist, music critic, music educator, music producer, and university administrator of American birth. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1957. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in February 1997. The library at the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
holds a substantial amount of his papers, manuscripts, and transcripts in its "Richard Johnston Canadian Music Archives Collection". His original fieldwork tapes and transcripts made during his research as a folklorist are part of the collection at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
.
Early life and education
Born Albert Richard Johnston in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, he began his musical education with Ruth Crazier-Curtis. He entered Augustana College
Augustana College (Illinois)
Augustana College is a private liberal arts college located in Rock Island, Illinois, United States. The college enrolls approximately 2,500 students. Covering of hilly, wooded land, Augustana is adjacent to the Mississippi River...
in Rock Island, Illinois in 1934 but left the school after just one year. He later matriculated to Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
where he earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1942. He briefly taught on the music faculty of Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska before beginning private studies with Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger
Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor and teacher who taught many composers and performers of the 20th century.From a musical family, she achieved early honours as a student at the Paris Conservatoire, but believing that her talent as a composer was inferior to that of her younger...
in Madison, Wisconsin in 1943-1944. With her he performed the world premiere of Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's Sonata for Two Pianos (1944). He pursued graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
from 1944-1947 where he earned both a Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
and a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in music. He later studied music education throughout Eastern Europe, notably with Zoltan Kodály
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is best known internationally as the creator of the Kodály Method.-Life:Born in Kecskemét, Kodály learned to play the violin as a child....
in Hungary in 1965.
Career
In 1947 Johnston immigrated to Canada to join the music faculty at the University of TorontoUniversity of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(UT). He taught at the school through 1968 during which time he taught classes in music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
and spent a few years as the school's choir conductor. One of his notable pupils at the UT was R. Murray Schafer
R. Murray Schafer
Raymond Murray Schafer is a Canadian composer, writer, music educator and environmentalist perhaps best known for his World Soundscape Project, concern for acoustic ecology, and his book The Tuning of the World...
. From 1954-1970 he was editor-in-chief of Songs for Today, a music publication for school music teachers. He served as president of the Ontario Music Educators' Association in 1958-1959 and in 1959 he helped establish the Canadian Music Educators' Association. From 1962-1968 he director of The Royal Conservatory of Music's Summer School where he also taught/supported courses in the Orff Schulwerk
Orff Schulwerk
The Orff Schulwerk, or simply the Orff Approach, is one of several developmental approaches including the Kodaly Method, Simply Music and Suzuki Method used to teach music education to students. It combines music, movement, drama, and speech into lessons that are similar to child's world of play...
method and the Kodály Method
Kodály Method
The Kodály Method, also referred to as the Kodály Concept, is an approach to music education developed in Hungary during the mid-twentieth century by Zoltán Kodály...
of music education. He also was responsible for establishing the CAPAC-MacMillan lectures at the RCMT.
During the late 1940s through the 1960s, Johnston worked periodically for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
as a composer, arranger, conductor, and commentator. On 12 October 1949 he conducted the chorus for the Canadian premiere of Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
's Peter Grimes
Peter Grimes
Peter Grimes is an opera by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto adapted by Montagu Slater from the Peter Grimes section of George Crabbe's poem The Borough...
for the opening of the CBC Opera Company's second season with William Morton
William Morton (tenor)
William Morton is a Canadian tenor. opera director, and voice teacher. He first studied singing with Alicia Birkett in Regina, and later with Albert Whitehead and James Rosselino in Toronto. He made his professional singing debut in 1932 and made his first radio appearance in 1933 on CKCK...
in the title role, Edmund Hockridge
Edmund Hockridge
Edmund Hockridge was a Canadian baritone and actor who had an active performance career in musicals, operas, concerts, plays, and on radio...
as Captain Balstrode, Frances James
Frances James (soprano)
Frances James was a Canadian soprano who specialized in the concert repertoire. She worked prolifically as a performer on CBC Radio and as a recitalist from the late 1920s through the 1950s; premiering works by numerous Canadian composers of note and championing works by contemporary international...
as Ellen Orford, Eric Tredwell as Swallow, and Gordon Wry
Gordon Wry
Gordon Wry was a Canadian tenor and conductor. His voice is preserved on a handful of recordings made with pianist Glenn Gould.Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Wry studied singing with renowned contralto Nellie Smith and music theory with Healey Willan at the Toronto Conservatory of Music...
as Bob Boles. The production was awarded the Best Music Program prize at the 1950 Canadian Radio Awards Competition. He was a commentator for thee CBC Wednesday night program Vienna, the Glorious Age (1951) and the radio series Folk Music, A Living Canadian Art (1958).
Johnston also had a life long interest in folk music; most notably collecting more than 200 previously un-published folksongs and Métis fiddle music from the Saskatchewan region in 1957 through the sponsorship of the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
and the Saskatchewan Arts Board
Saskatchewan Arts Board
The Saskatchewan Arts Board is an arms-length funding agency that provides grants, programs and services to individuals and groups whose activities have an impact on the arts and the people of Saskatchewan...
. In 1956 he helped found the Canadian Society for Traditional Music. He worked extensively with Edith Fowke
Edith Fowke
Edith Fowke, was a Canadian folklorist. Born on April 30, 1913, in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, she was educated at the University of Saskatchewan. She hosted the CBC Radio program Folk Song Time from 1950 to 1963...
with whom he worked on the publications Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo Music Company
Waterloo Music Company
The Waterloo Music Company was a Canadian music publishing and musical instrument retailing firm that was founded in 1921 by Charles F. Thiele in Waterloo, Ontario...
1954), Folk Songs of Quebec (Waterloo 1957), Chansons canadiennes françaises (Waterloo 1964), and More Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo 1967). He worked as a producer for two recordings with Joyce Sullivan: Folk Songs of Canada (for RCI
Radio Canada International
Radio Canada International is the international broadcasting service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Until 1970, it was known as the CBC International Service and was sometimes referred to as the "Voice of Canada" in its early years.- The early years :The idea for creating an...
, also with baritone Glenn Gardiner) and Folk Songs of Canada (Waterloo, also with Charles Jordan
Charles Jordan (baritone)
Charles Jordan was a Canadian baritone and voice teacher. He first studied singing with Adrienne Bourassa in Montreal during the 1930s, and later was a pupil of Albert Whitehead at the Toronto Conservatory of Music from 1941-1943...
). The Ensemble vocal Katimavik
Ensemble Vocal Katimavik
Ensemble Vocal Katimavik is a choir of about 60 singers founded in 1970 in Quebec by Roger Lessard. It is also a non-profit organization that contributed to foundations against breast cancer by producing a compact disc.-History:...
recorded his arrangement of the Canadian folk song J'ai cueilli la belle rose. In 1984 he served as editor-in-chief of Folk Songs North America Sings and worked in the same capacity for the Kodály Society of Canada's three volumes titled Kodály and Education in 1986.
In 1968 Johnston was appointed the Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
(UC). He remained in that position until 1973, after which he taught on the UC's music faculty until his retirement from teaching in 1982. At the UC he notably established the composer archives and for many years managed their continual expansion. In 1971 he was a founding member of the Alberta Music Conference, serving as the group's first president from 1971-1973. From 1971-1974 he was the vice-president of the Canadian Music Council, later serving on the CMC's publications committee during the late 1970s. In 1973 he was editor-in-chief of the Western Board of Music piano series Horizons and in 1977 he became the Alberta Composers' Association's first president.
After Johnston's retirement from teaching, he continued to compose and remained active on the committees of the Canadian Music Centre and the Canadian Society for Traditional Music. He was named a professor emeritus at the UC in 1985 and the university presented a concert of his works on 16 October 1987 in honour of his 70th birthday and again in 1992 for his 75th birthday. He also occasionally gave guest lectures, the last of which was given in tbe year of his death at the 1997 Kodály Summer Program in Calgary. He died in Calgary at the age of 80. He was married for many years to the pianist Yvonne Guiguet who had died earlier in 1985.
Selected works
- Suite for Bassoon and Piano. 1946 (orch 1946). Mel SMLP-4032 (Weait)
- Symphony No. 1. 1950. Orch. Ms
- 3 Suites for Piano. (No. 1, 2 1965, No. 3 1988). (No. 1) BMIC 1965, (No. 2) Ber 1969. (No. 2) CCM 1 (Cavalho)
- The Irish Book (S. O'Sullivan, A. O'Shaughnessy). 1971. High voice, piano. Wat 1971
- Portraits: Variations for Orchestra. 1972. Orch. Ms
- Answer Back (arr of folk songs). 1973. Bar, soprano, piano. Ms
- Folk Love Canadian Style (arr of folk songs). 1973. Med voice, piano. Ms
- Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano. 1978. Ms
- 5 Duo Concerti (1979–89). (No. 1) Vn, (2) bsn, (3) fl (piccolo), (4) trumpet, (5) saxophone; all with piano. Ms
- Poème for Orchestra. 1981. Orch. Ms
- Missa Brevis. 1984. Org. Ms
- Sextette. 1988. Woodwind quintet, piano. Ms