Short bio Randall Thompson
Full biography Randall Thompson
Randall Thompson (April 21 , 1899 - July 9, 1984) was an American composer and conductor, known for his choral works. He was born in New York City , and studied at Harvard, where he later became a professor of music.
Throughout his career, Thompson composed a wide variety of works, including orchestral music, chamber music, and music for theater. However, he is perhaps best known for his choral works, which have become staples of the American choral repertoire. His most famous choral work is the "Alleluia" (1940), a short piece for unaccompanied choir, which still features prominently in choral performances today.
Thompson was also known for his work as a conductor and educator. He conducted many choirs throughout his career, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and was a professor at several universities, including the University of Virginia and Curtis Institute of Music.
Thompson's music is known for its use of traditional forms and styles, particularly his use of counterpoint. His works are often complex and challenging, but also have a sense of accessibility and attractiveness to audiences.
Overall, Thompson's contributions to American music are significant, particularly in the field of choral music. His works continue to be widely performed and admired today, for their beauty, complexity, and accessibility.
Compositions featuring Randall Thompson
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fare Well | 8:18 min | Choral | 1973 |
| 2 | Two Herbert Settings, for chorus | 6:17 min | Choral | 1970 |
| 3 | Antiphon, for chorus (Two Herbert Settings) | 3:01 min | Choral | 1970 |
| 4 | Bitter-sweet, for chorus (Two Herbert Settings) | 3:32 min | Choral | 1970 |
| 5 | The Eternal Dove, for 4 voices | 8:00 min | Choral | 1968 |
| 6 | String quartet No 2 in G | 20:21 min | Chamber Music | 1967 |
| 7 | A Feast of Praise, for chorus, brass & harp | 12:57 min | Choral | 1963 |
| 8 | The Best of Rooms, for chorus | 3:54 min | Choral | 1963 |
| 9 | Frostiana, cycle for chorus & piano (or orchestra) | 29:59 min | Choral | 1959 |
| 10 | The Garment of Praise (4th movement of the Requiem) | 10:48 min | Choral | 1958 |
| 11 | Requiem, for chorus | 55:04 min | Choral | 1958 |
| 12 | Mass of the Holy Spirit | 33:32 min | Choral | 1955 |
| 13 | Siciliano, for baritone & strings (Five Love Songs) | 2:41 min | Vocal Music | 1952 |
| 14 | Symphony No. 3 in A minor | 31:35 min | Symphony | 1947 |
| 15 | Now I lay me down to sleep, for chorus | 1:31 min | Choral | 1947 |
| 16 | The Testament of Freedom, for chorus & orchestra | 18:07 min | Choral | 1943 |
| 17 | String quartet No 1 in D minor | 34:04 min | Chamber Music | 1941 |
| 18 | Alleluia, for a cappella chorus | 5:29 min | Choral | 1940 |
| 19 | Suite for oboe, clarinet & viola | 15:21 min | Chamber Music | 1940 |
| 20 | The Lark in the Morn | 1:31 min | Choral | 1938 |
| 21 | Tarantella | 7:46 min | Vocal Music | 1937 |
| 22 | The Paper Reeds by the Brooks, for chorus | 2:14 min | Choral | 1936 |
| 23 | Song after Sundown, for piano | 4:14 min | Keyboard | 1935 |
| 24 | The Peaceable Kingdom | 10:45 min | Choral | 1935 |
| 25 | Quis multa gracilis, for chorus | 4:53 min | Choral | 1932 |
| 26 | Americana for chorus & piano (or orchestra) | Choral | 1932 | |
| 27 | Symphony No. 1 | 30:48 min | Symphony | 1931 |
| 28 | Symphony No. 2 in E minor | 28:21 min | Symphony | 1931 |
| 29 | Odes of Horace, for chorus | 7:21 min | Choral | 1924 |
| 30 | The Last Invocation, for chorus | 5:26 min | Choral | 1922 |
| 31 | Five Love Songs, for baritone & accompaniment, or chorus with or without accompaniment | 27:30 min | Choral | 1918 |
| 32 | The Lord Is My Shepherd | 8:59 min | Choral | - |
| 33 | Come In | 5:54 min | Choral | - |
| 34 | The Mirror of St Anne | 2:47 min | Choral | - |
| 35 | The Nativity According to St. Luke, musical drama in 7 scenes for solo voices, chorus & strings | Choral | - | |
| 36 | The Pasture | 2:50 min | Choral | - |
| 37 | The Place of the Blest, songs for chorus | 20:56 min | Choral | - |
| 38 | Choose Something Like a Star | 6:15 min | Choral | - |
| 39 | Twelve Canticles | 19:09 min | Choral | - |
| 40 | Velvet shoes | 4:09 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 41 | We fight not for glory | Choral | - | |
| 42 | Ye Shall Have a Song | 4:06 min | Choral | - |
| 43 | Ye Were Sometimes Darkness (Walk as Children of Light), for chorus | 5:37 min | Choral | - |
| 44 | The Little Prelude, for piano | 1:26 min | Keyboard | - |
| 45 | The Last Words of David, for chorus & orchestra | 4:03 min | Choral | - |
| 46 | The God Who Gave Us Life, for men's chorus | 3:06 min | Choral | - |
| 47 | Odes of Horace (3) for chorus: O fons bandusiae | 4:18 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 48 | Glory To God in the Highest for chorus | 1:48 min | Choral | - |
| 49 | Tapestry, for voice & piano | 3:04 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 50 | Have Ye Not Known? | 4:32 min | Choral | - |
| 51 | Inventions (4) for harpsichord | 8:55 min | Keyboard | - |
| 52 | Lullaby (Upon my Lap my Sov'reign Sits), for soprano | 4:26 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 53 | My Soul doth Magnify the Lord, for voice & piano | 5:44 min | Vocal Music | - |
| 54 | Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, for chorus | 3:40 min | Choral | - |
| 55 | O Let The Nations Be Glad, for chorus | 2:05 min | Choral | - |
| 56 | Odes of Horace (3) for chorus: Felices Ter | 2:20 min | Choral | - |
| 57 | Pueri Hebraeorum for female chorus | 2:33 min | Choral | - |
| 58 | Odes of Horace (3) for chorus: Vitas hinnuleo | 1:58 min | Chamber Music | - |
Albums featuring Randall Thompson
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Randall Thompson, Samuel Adams, Samuel Barber, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, James Ross (23) – Symphony No. 2(CD, Album) | 2017 | Naxos |
| 2 |  |
Randall Thompson - The Philadelphia Singers · David Hayes – Requiem | 2016 | Naxos |
| 3 |  |
Gustav Mahler / Randall Thompson - New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein – Symphony No. 3 (Movement VI) / Symphony No. 2(CD, Compilation) | 2010 | Sony Classical |
| 4 |  |
Benjamin Britten • Aaron Copland • Samuel Barber • Michael Tippett • Randall Thompson – Rundfunkchor Berlin, Simon Halsey, Philip Mayers – Simple Gifts(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album) | 2006 | Coviello Classics |
| 5 |  |
Harris / Thompson / Diamond / New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein – American Masters: Harris / Thompson / Diamond | 1998 | Sony Classical |
| 6 |  |
Randall Thompson, New Zealand Symphony, Andrew Schenck, James Sedares – Symphonies 1, 2 & 3 | 1997 | Koch International Classics |
| 7 |  |
Randall Thompson / George Chadwick – Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi – Symphony No. 2 / Overtures Etc. | 1996 | Chandos |
| 8 |  |
Werner Haentjes, Frank Martin (3), Arvo Pärt, Harald Nickoll, Randall Thompson – Carmina Mundi - Chormusik Im 20. Jahrhundert(CD, Album, Stereo) | 1995 | Ebs |
| 9 |  |
Randall Thompson, New York Choral Society, Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, Richard Auldon Clark – The Testament Of Freedom / Frostiana(CD, ) | 1995 | Koch International Classics |
| 10 |  |
Randall Thompson, Morton Gould, James Sedares (cond), The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Thomspson, Symphony #1; Morton Gould, Fall River Suite(CD, Album) | 1993 | Koch International Classics |
| 11 |  |
String Quartets No. 1 • Little Prelude • Song After Sundown • String Quartets No. 2(CD, Album) | 1992 | Bay Cities |
| 12 |  |
Randall Thompson - Andrew Schenck, The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Symphonies 2 & 3(CD, ) | 1991 | Koch International Classics |
| 13 |  |
Howard Hanson / Roy Harris / Randall Thompson – American Voices (The Choral Music)(CD, Album) | 1990 | Bay Cities |
| 14 |  |
Randall Thompson / Jerome Moross / Norman Dello Joio – Symphony No. 2 / Frankie And Johnny / Epigraph For Orchestra(CD, Compilation) | 1989 | Bay Cities |
| 15 |  |
Peter Christ - William Schmidt / Randall Thompson / William Grant Still / Vincent Persichetti – Oboist Peter Christ(CD, Album) | 1986 | Crystal Records (5) |
| 16 |  |
Peter Christ - William Schmidt / Randall Thompson / William Grant Still / Vincent Persichetti – The Sparrow And Mr. Avaunt / Suite For Oboe, Clarinet, Viola / Miniatures For Flute, Oboe, Piano / Parable For Solo Oboe(LP, Album) | 1979 | Crystal Records (5) |
| 17 |  |
Randall Thompson, Utah Symphony, Maurice Abravanel – Thompson: The Testament of Freedom; Symphony No.1 (1930)(LP, Stereo) | 1978 | Angel Records |
| 18 |  |
Randall Thompson / Seymour Shifrin / Elliott Carter - The University Of Michigan Chamber Choir, Members Of The University Of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Hilbish – Americana / The Odes Of Shang / To Music | 1977 | New World Records |
| 19 |  |
Leonard Bernstein • New York Philharmonic - Randall Thompson / William Schuman – Symphony Number 2 / "To Thee Old Cause" | 1970 | Columbia Masterworks |
| 20 |  |
Randall Thompson, Harvard Glee Club And Radcliffe Choral Society – A Randall Thompson Concert(2×LP) | 1969 | Harvard Glee Club |
| 21 |  |
Randall Thompson - Aaron Copland, Whikehart Chorale – The Peaceable Kingdom / In The Beginning | 1964 | Lyrichord |
| 22 |  |
Randall Thompson, Henry Cowell - Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Dean Dixon (2) – Randall Thompson Symphony No. 2 / Henry Cowell Symphony No. 5 | 1964 | Desto |
| 23 |  |
Randall Thompson - Harvard Glee Club, Radcliffe Choral Society, G. Wallace Woodworth – Alleluia And Mass Of The Holy Spirit(LP, Mono) | 1957 | Cambridge Records |
| 24 |  |
Randall Thompson / Boston Symphony Orchestra, Serge Koussevitzky, The Harvard Glee Club, G. Wallace Woodworth – The Testament Of Freedom(3×Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album) | 1956 | RCA Victor Red Seal |
| 25 |  |
Randall Thompson / Howard Hanson – The Testament Of Freedom / Songs From "Drum Taps" | 1956 | Mercury |
| 26 |  |
American Recording Society Orchestra, Randall Thompson, Douglas Moore – Symphony No. 2 / Symphony In A | 1952 | American Recording Society |
| 27 |  |
Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Walter Piston, Randall Thompson, Virgil Thomson – A Concert Of American Music In Schönbrunn(LP) | 1952 | VOX (6) |
| 28 |  |
Randall Thompson, American Recording Society Orchestra, Dean Dixon (2) – Symphony No. 2(LP, 10", Album) | 1951 | American Recording Society |
| 29 |  |
Randall Thompson / Stephen D. Tuttle, The University of Virginia Glee Club – The Testament Of Freedom: Texts From The Writings Of Thomas Jefferson(3×Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album) | 1943 | Columbia |
| 30 |  |
The Peaceable Kingdom(LP, Album, Mono) | - | Music Library Recordings |
| 31 |  |
Paul Reif / Randall Thompson – 8 Vignettes For 4 Singers / The Peaceable Kingdom(LP, Album) | - | Orion |
| 32 |  |
Randall Thompson, Robert Frost, Andrew Hill Choir in Performance, Michael Kambeitz – Frostiana(LP, Album, Stereo) | - | C&E Recording Service |
| 33 |  |
Colgate University Chorus, Copland, Thompson – In The Beginning / The Peaceable Kingdom(LP, Album) | - | Redwood Records (2) |
| 34 |  |
Randall Thompson, Schola Cantorum of Oxford, James Burton (4) – The Peaceable Kingdom(CD, Album) | - | Hyperion |
| 35 |  |
Psalm for Thanksgiving(10", 33 ⅓ RPM) | - | Fassett |
| 36 |  |
String Quartet #2 in G Major(10", 33 ⅓ RPM) | - | Fassett |
Videos featuring Randall Thompson
Randall Thompson Symphony 2 (1931)
Randall Thompson
Symphony 2 (1931)
Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Requiem: Part I: Lamentations
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem: Part I: Lamentations · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David Hayes
Composer: Randall Thompson
Producer: David Pasbr
Douglas Moore, Symphony in A Major
This LP recording was issued in 1952 by the American Recording Society. It features the American Recording Society Orchestra under the direction of conductor Dean Dixon.
According to the jacket notes, the piece is dedicated to Stephen Vincent Benet.
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Let them give glory
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Let them give glory · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor:
Randall Thompson: Symphony No. 3
Randall Thompson (1899-1983): Symphony No. 3 in A Minor (1947-1949)
CBS Symphony Orchestra -Thor Johnson, conducting
The least known of the Thompson's three symphonies, the Third was composed between the years 1947 through 1949. It is my favorite of the
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Sing with the spirit
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Sing with the spirit · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: Good tidings to the meek
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: Good tidings to the meek · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conduct
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: I am their music
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: I am their music · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: Da
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: What man is he?
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: What man is he? · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Let everything that hath...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Let everything that hath breath · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singer
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Praise Him all ye stars...
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 4, The Garment of Praise: Part IV: The Garment of Praise: Praise Him all ye stars of light · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singe
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Be filled with the spirit
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Be filled with the spirit · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: Da
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Utter a song
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Utter a song · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David Hayes
Com
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Sing unto Him
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: Sing unto Him · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David Hayes
Co
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: Why make ye this ado?
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 2, The Triumph of Faith: Part II: The Triumph of Faith: Why make ye this ado? · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor:
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: The Lord shall be unto thee
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: The Lord shall be unto thee · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: Da
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: O let the nations be glad
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 3, The Call to Song: Part III: The Call to Song: O let the nations be glad · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: Da
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Amen and amen, alleluia
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Amen and amen, alleluia · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Thou hast given him
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Thou hast given him · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David Haye
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Ye were sometimes darkness
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Ye were sometimes darkness · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: Dav
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Return unto thy rest
Provided to YouTube by NAXOS of America
Requiem, Pt. 5, The Leave-taking: Part V: The Leave-taking: Return unto thy rest · Philadelphia Singers
Thompson: Requiem
℗ 2016 Naxos
Released on: 2016-05-06
Choir: Philadelphia Singers
Conductor: David Hay
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