Short bio Harry Somers
Full biography Harry Somers
Harry Somers was a Canadian composer and pianist born on September 11, 1925. He was known for his contributions to the Canadian music scene, particularly for his experimentation with contrapuntal writing and serialism in the 1950s.
Somers was a talented composer and pianist, and his early works were heavily influenced by his love of jazz. He went on to write and perform his own classical compositions, and was dedicated to promoting Canadian music both at home and abroad.
Somers is perhaps best known for his opera "Louis Riel," which he composed with librettists Mavor Moore and Jacques Languirand. The opera premiered in 1967 as part of Canada's centennial celebrations , and has been widely praised for its innovative score and moving portrayal of Louis Riel, the controversial Métis leader.
Throughout his career, Somers received numerous commissions and awards, including the Order of Canada in 2000. He passed away on March 9, 1999, leaving behind a rich legacy of innovative and inspiring music.
Compositions featuring Harry Somers
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Thousand Ages, version for brass band, electronic samples & treble voice | 9:07 min | Vocal Music | 1998 |
| 2 | Nothing Too Serious, for piano | 14:20 min | Keyboard | 1997 |
| 3 | Piano Concerto No. 3 | 30:59 min | Concerto | 1996 |
| 4 | Miniatures (11) for oboe & piano | 14:14 min | Chamber Music | 1992 |
| 5 | Bless'd Is the Garden of the Lord, for chorus & piano reduction (from Serinette, opera) | 5:47 min | Choral | 1990 |
| 6 | Birminal Triology, for 3 voice & piano | Vocal Music | 1988 | |
| 7 | Northern Lights, for 8 treble voices (from A Midwinter Night's Dream, children's opera) | 3:29 min | Choral | 1988 |
| 8 | Spotted Snakes, for chorus & orchestra (or piano) | 2:32 min | Choral | 1984 |
| 9 | Song of Praise, for 2 treble voices & piano | 1:34 min | Vocal Music | 1984 |
| 10 | Shaman’s Song, for voice & prepared piano | Vocal Music | 1983 | |
| 11 | Movement for string quartet | Chamber Music | 1983 | |
| 12 | Serinette, opera | Opera | 1983 | |
| 13 | Elegy, Transformation, Jubilation, for orchestra | 16:38 min | Keyboard | 1980 |
| 14 | Limericks (3), for mezzo-soprano, chorus & chamber ensemble | 21:52 min | Choral | 1980 |
| 15 | Chansons (3) de la Nouvelle-France for chorus & orchestra (or piano) | 20:37 min | Vocal Music | 1977 |
| 16 | The Death of Enkidu, opera in 1 act | 40:24 min | Opera | 1977 |
| 17 | Love-in-idleness, for soprano & piano | Vocal Music | 1976 | |
| 18 | Zen, Yeats and Emily Dickinson, for 2 narrators, voice, flute, piano & tape | Miscellaneous (Classical) | 1975 | |
| 19 | Music for solo violin | 20:44 min | Chamber Music | 1973 |
| 20 | Kyrie | 23:19 min | Choral | 1972 |
| 21 | Songs (5) of the Newfoundland Outports | 17:39 min | Vocal Music | 1969 |
| 22 | Kuyas, for voice, flute & percussion | Vocal Music | 1967 | |
| 23 | A Children's Hymn | 3:22 min | Choral | 1966 |
| 24 | Evocations, songs for voice & piano | Vocal Music | 1966 | |
| 25 | Crucifixion, for chorus, winds, harp, percussion & prerecorded tape | 7:10 min | Choral | 1966 |
| 26 | Miniatures (12), for voice, flute, cello & piano (or voice, recorder, viola da gamba & spinet) | Vocal Music | 1964 | |
| 27 | Etching - The Vollard Suite, for flute | 2:43 min | Chamber Music | 1964 |
| 28 | Picasso Suite, for small orchestra | 19:49 min | Orchestral | 1964 |
| 29 | The Wonder Song, for children's chorus & piano | 2:51 min | Choral | 1963 |
| 30 | God the Master of this Scene, for a cappella voices | 3:15 min | Choral | 1962 |
| 31 | Gloria, for chorus, 2 trumpets & organ | 3:40 min | Choral | 1962 |
| 32 | Lyric for orchestra | 7:08 min | Orchestral | 1960 |
| 33 | String Quartet No. 3 | Chamber Music | 1959 | |
| 34 | Piano Sonata No. 5 | 14:59 min | Keyboard | 1957 |
| 35 | Songs (5) for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra, No. 5, How can I hold within me all that is? | 4:00 min | Vocal Music | 1956 |
| 36 | Songs (5) for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra, No. 4, How can I talk of this city? | 2:07 min | Vocal Music | 1956 |
| 37 | Songs (5) for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra, No. 3, The hands that do not touch will bruise | 0:59 min | Vocal Music | 1956 |
| 38 | Songs (5) for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra, No. 2, Be perfect and articulate | 1:59 min | Vocal Music | 1956 |
| 39 | Songs (5) for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra, No. 1, Now every grief is personal | 3:41 min | Vocal Music | 1956 |
| 40 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 2 | 14:39 min | Chamber Music | 1955 |
| 41 | Songs (2) for the Coming of Spring, for chorus & piano | 2:46 min | Choral | 1955 |
| 42 | Simple Songs (3) for voice & piano | Vocal Music | 1953 | |
| 43 | Sonata for violin & piano No. 1 | 22:03 min | Chamber Music | 1953 |
| 44 | The Fool (Le Fou), opera in 1 act | 46:47 min | Opera | 1953 |
| 45 | 12 x 12, fugues for piano | 23:15 min | Keyboard | 1951 |
| 46 | Symphony No. 1 | 30:38 min | Symphony | 1951 |
| 47 | Case of the Wayward Woodwinds for orchestra | 2:56 min | Orchestral | 1950 |
| 48 | Piano Sonata No. 4 | 13:54 min | Keyboard | 1950 |
| 49 | Piano Sonata No. 3 | 18:51 min | Keyboard | 1950 |
| 50 | Suite for harp & chamber orchestra | 21:51 min | Chamber Music | 1949 |
| 51 | String Quartet No. 2 | Chamber Music | 1949 | |
| 52 | North Country, for orchestra | 14:25 min | Orchestral | 1948 |
| 53 | Rhapsody for violin & piano | 8:00 min | Chamber Music | 1948 |
| 54 | Songs (3) to Words by Walt Whitman, for voice & piano, No. 2, After the Dazzle of Day | 2:26 min | Vocal Music | 1946 |
| 55 | Piano Sonata No. 2 | 19:09 min | Keyboard | 1946 |
| 56 | Sonnets (3), for piano | 6:33 min | Keyboard | 1946 |
| 57 | Songs (3) to Words by Walt Whitman, for voice & piano | 7:07 min | Vocal Music | 1946 |
| 58 | Songs (3) to Words by Walt Whitman, for voice & piano, No. 3, A Clear Midnight | 2:42 min | Vocal Music | 1946 |
| 59 | Songs (3) to Words by Walt Whitman, for voice & piano, No. 1, Look Down Fair Moon | 2:26 min | Vocal Music | 1946 |
| 60 | Piano Sonata No. 1 "Testament of Youth" | 11:03 min | Keyboard | 1945 |
| 61 | Strangeness of Heart, for piano | 3:38 min | Keyboard | 1942 |
| 62 | Chura-Churum, for 8 voices, flute, harp, piano & percussion | 30:11 min | Choral | - |
| 63 | Stereophony, for orchestra | 14:22 min | Orchestral | - |
| 64 | Five Songs for Dark Voice, for voice & orchestra | 12:15 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 65 | Sonata for Guitar | Chamber Music | - | |
| 66 | Piano Concerto No. 2 | 44:50 min | Concerto | - |
| 67 | The Merman of Orford, incidental music | 42:38 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 68 | Kuyahs, for 4 players | 7:43 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 69 | Those Silent, Awe-Filled Spaces, for orchestra | 11:50 min | Orchestral | - |
| 70 | Where Do We Stand, O Lord?, for chorus | 9:00 min | Choral | - |
Albums featuring Harry Somers
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Arthur M. Bachmann | Kent Kennan | Harry Somers | Henry Wolking | André Jolivet | Gabriel Fauré | Efraín Amaya, Sara Hahn, Laura Loewen, Sarah Gieck – I Close My Eyes In Order To See(CD, Album) | 2018 | Navona Records |
| 2 |  |
The Fool / The Death Of Enkidu(2×CD, ) | 2009 | Centrediscs |
| 3 |  |
Harry Somers / The Accordes String Quartet – Somers String Quartets(CD, Compilation) | 2001 | Centrediscs |
| 4 |  |
Serinette(2×CD, ) | 2001 | Centrediscs |
| 5 |  |
Stravinsky / Somers - CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Mario Bernardi (2) – Stravinsky: Suite De Pulcinella · Apollon Musagète / Somers: Picasso Suite(CD, Album) | 1996 | CBC Records |
| 6 |  |
Harry Somers - National Arts Centre Orchestra, Victor Feldbrill, Jennifer Swartz – The Spring Of Somers - Music Of Harry Somers(CD, ) | 1996 | CBC Records |
| 7 |  |
Somers / Elmer Iseler Singers – Sacred And Profane Somers(CD, Album) | 1995 | Centrediscs |
| 8 |  |
Glick, Holman, Somers, Coulthard - Elmer Iseler Singers, CBC Vancouver Orchestra, Elmer Iseler – Glick • Holman • Somers • Coulthard(CD, ) | 1992 | CBC Records |
| 9 |  |
Ernst Toch / Harry Somers / Francois Morel - The Louisville Orchestra, Lawrence Leighton Smith – Jephta. Rhapsodic Poem (Symphony No. 5) / Passacaglia And Fugue For Orchestra / Antiphonie(LP, Reissue, Stereo) | 1987 | First Edition Records |
| 10 |  |
Franco Mannino, National Arts Centre Orchestra / Harry Somers ⦁ Norman Symonds (2) ⦁ André Prévost ⦁ Jacques Hétu – Canadian Classics Vol. 2: North Country ⦁ Three Atmospheres ⦁ Célébration ⦁ Symphonie No. 3(LP, Album) | 1987 | Centrediscs |
| 11 |  |
Harry Somers / Elmer Iseler, Elmer Iseler Singers, Roxolana Roslak, Patricia Kern – Sacred & Profane Somers: Kyrie ⦁ Three Limericks(LP, Album) | 1986 | Centrediscs |
| 12 |  |
The Canadian Opera Company, Harry Somers, Mavor Moore, Jacques Languirand – Louis Riel(3×LP, Album, Box Set, ) | 1985 | Centrediscs |
| 13 |  |
Purcell String Quartet / Pentland ⦁ Somers – 2x4 / String Quartet No. 4 / String Quartet No. 3(LP, Stereo) | 1982 | Centrediscs |
| 14 |  |
The Elmer Iseler Singers - Ford / Morawetz / Somers – Spectra(LP, Album) | 1981 | Centrediscs |
| 15 |  |
Anthology Of Canadian Music / Anthologie De La Musique Canadienne(10×LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, ) | 1980 | Radio Canada International |
| 16 |  |
Unknown Artist , Дирижер Геннадий Рождественский - В. Франкен / О. Нуссио / Г. Соммерс – Музыка И Живопись(2×LP, Repress, Box Set, ) | 1979 | Мелодия |
| 17 |  |
François Morel / Harry Somers / Donald Steven / Michel-Georges Brégent / Guy Lachapelle – "Solo" | 1976 | Radio Canada International |
| 18 |  |
The Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Klaro Mizerit, Harry Somers, Neil McKay (3) – The Picasso Suite(LP) | 1975 | CBC Radio Canada |
| 19 |  |
Yehudi Menuhin, Harry Somers – Music For Solo Violin(LP, Album) | 1974 | Radio Canada International |
| 20 |  |
Patricia Rideout, Harry Somers – Patricia Rideout Contralto In Recital(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1970 | CBC Radio Canada |
| 21 |  |
Harry Somers, Mozart, National Arts Centre Orchestra, Maureen Forrester, Mario Bernardi (2) – Five Songs For Dark Voice / Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter", K. 551 / Ombra Felice, K. 255(LP, Misprint, Stereo) | 1970 | RCA Red Seal |
| 22 |  |
Victor Feldbrill, Harry Somers – The Fool | 1969 | RCA Red Seal |
| 23 |  |
The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Festival Singers Of Canada, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Harry Somers, Elmer Iseler, George Brough – Three Shakespeare Songs / Five Songs Of The Newfoundland Outports | 1969 | RCA Red Seal |
| 24 |  |
Montreal Symphony Orchestra - Roger Matton / Pierre Mercure / André Prévost / Harry Somers - Zubin Mehta, Pierre Hétu – Mouvement Symphonique No. 2 / Lignes Et Points / Fantasmes / Fantasia For Orchestra | 1968 | RCA Victor Red Seal |
| 25 |  |
Oskar Morawetz, Kelsey Jones (2), Harry Somers, J.S. Bach / Duo Pach – Duo Pach(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1967 | Radio Canada International |
| 26 |  |
Serge Garant / Bruce Mather / Harry Somers / Mary Morrison / Howard Cable / Walter Bucznski – Music And Musicians Of Canada Centennial Edition Vol V / Musique Et Musiciens Du Canada Edition Du Centenaire Vol V | 1967 | RCA Victor |
| 27 |  |
Harry Somers, Jean Papineau-Couture, Ludwig van Beethoven, Steven Staryk, Lise Boucher – Music And Musicians Of Canada Centennial Edition Vol. X / Musique Et Musiciens Du Canada Edition Du Centenaire Vol. X | 1967 | RCA Victor |
| 28 |  |
Marta Hidy, Chester Duncan – Music And Musicians Of Canada Centennial Edition Vol. IX / Musique Et Musiciens Du Canada Edition Du Centenaire Vol. IX | 1967 | RCA Victor |
| 29 |  |
Ernst Toch / Harry Somers / Francois Morel - The Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester – Jephta. Rhapsodic Poem (Symphony No. 5) / Passacaglia And Fugue For Orchestra / Antiphonie(LP) | 1966 | First Edition Records |
| 30 |  |
Pierre Mercure, Harry Somers, McGill University Chamber Orchestra, CBC String Orchestra – Divertissement / North Country Suite(LP, Transcription) | 1957 | Radio Canada International |
| 31 |  |
Violet Archer, Harry Somers, Geoffrey Waddington – Toronto CBC Chorus and Orchestra(LP, Album, Transcription, Mono) | 1955 | CBC Radio Canada |
| 32 |  |
Piano Music(3×LP, Box Set, ) | - | Radio Canada International |
| 33 |  |
Patricia Rideout, Harry Somers, John Boyden (2), John Newmark – Music By Ravel, Martin And Somers(LP, Album, Transcription) | - | CBC Radio Canada |
| 34 |  |
University Of Moncton Choir, Harry Somers – Canadian Music Festivals 1968 Festivals du Canada 1968(LP) | - | Relay Relais |
| 35 |  |
Oxford String Quartet, Harry Somers – Oxford String Quartet(LP, Album, Mono) | - | CBC Radio Canada |
Videos featuring Harry Somers
String Quartet No. 3
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 3 · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Harry Somers: North Country (1948)
Harry Somers (1925-1999): North Country, for String Orchestra (1948) --- National Arts Centre Orchestra diretta da Victor Feldbrill ---
I. Lento maestoso, allegro, lento
II. Allegro scherzando [6:11]
III. Lento [8:36]
IV. Allegro vivace [13:11]
--- cove
HARRY SOMERS - MUSIC FOR SOLO VIOLIN [1974]
HARRY SOMERS - MUSIC FOR SOLO VIOLIN [1974]
A1 H. Somers: MUSIC FOR SOLO VIOLIN: 21:10
(BMIC)
performed by Yehudi Menuhin
B1 Commentary by Harry Somers: 9:20
In: — “It really started in the fall of 1971. .”
Out: **..to me so superbly in performing it.”
String Quartet No. 2: I. Andante
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 2: I. Andante · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated
Patricia Rideout Contralto In Recital 1970 CBC Radio Canada – SM108
*DISCLAIMER* NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO. I DO NOT MONETIZE THIS VIDEO. If you own copyright to this music please contact me first I will take down immediately!
String Quartet No. 2: Interlude I
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 2: Interlude I · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated
Harry Somers: The Fool (1953)
Harry Somers (1925-1999): The Fool, An opera in two scenes, libretto di Michael Fram (1953) -- Chamber Ensemble diretto da David Currie ---
The King: Gary Relyea
The Fool: Darryl Edwards
The Queen: Sandra Graham
The Lady in Waiting: Tamara Hummel
I. Beg
String Quartet No. 2: II. Masque
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 2: II. Masque · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated
String Quartet No. 2: Interlude II
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 2: Interlude II · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generate
String Quartet No. 2: III. Lento
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
String Quartet No. 2: III. Lento · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated
Movement for String Quartet
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Movement for String Quartet · Accordes String Quartet
Somers, H.: Somers String Quartets
℗ 2012 Centrediscs
Released on: 2012-04-01
Ensemble: Accordes String Quartet
Composer: Harry Somers
Auto-generated by Yo
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