Deems Taylor

Full biography Deems Taylor

Deems Taylor (1885-1966) was an American music critic , composer, and promoter of classical music. He was born in New York City and showed an interest in music from a young age. Taylor studied at New York University and the University of Vienna before settling in Manhattan and beginning his career as a music critic. He wrote for numerous publications, including The New York Times, Musical America, and the New York World, and became known for his eloquent and insightful writing on a wide range of musical topics.

In addition to his work as a music critic, Taylor was also a highly regarded composer in his own right. He wrote several operas, including "Peter Ibbetson," "The King's Henchman," and "Ramuntcho," as well as a significant number of orchestral works. Taylor's compositions were widely performed during his lifetime and received critical acclaim. He was also an active promoter of new music and worked to bring contemporary composers to wider audiences.

Taylor's contributions to the field of music were recognized with numerous honors and awards. In 1941, he was appointed to the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and served as the president of the League of Composers. In 1964, Taylor was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, in recognition of his contributions to the arts.

Despite his accomplishments as a composer and critic, Taylor is perhaps best remembered today for his role as a commentator and educator. He was a regular commentator on the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts and hosted several radio shows on classical music. In addition, Taylor was a frequent lecturer on music and served as the chairman of the Music Advisory Committee of the New York World's Fair in 1939-1940.

In conclusion, Deems Taylor was a multifaceted figure whose contributions to the field of music were wide-ranging and significant. As a composer, critic, commentator, and educator, he helped to shape the musical landscape of his time and played an important role in promoting classical music to wider audiences.