Hunter Johnson

As published in the Foundation’s Report for 1940–41:

JOHNSON, HUNTER:  Appointed for creative work in musical composition; tenure, twelve months from April 1, 1941.

Born April 14, 1906, Benson, North Carolina. Education:  University of North Carolina, 1924–26. Eastman School of Music, 1927–29; American Academy in Rome, 1933–35 (Fellow of the Academy).

Instructor in Theory, 1929–33, University of Michigan.

Principal compositions:  Poem for Violin and Piano, performed by Anthony Donato and the composer, Rochester, New York, 1929, and by Louise Cuyler and the composer, University of Michigan, 1930; Prelude for String Sextet, performed by faculty members of the University of Michigan, Detroit, 1932; Piano Sonata, performed by Pietro Scarpini, Rome, 1934, by Richard Singer, New York City, 1936, by James Quillian, New York City, 1937, by Edwin Gerschefski, Saratoga Springs, 1937, and by John Kirkpatrick many times, 1939, 1940, 1941; Chamber Concerto, performed by the Rome Quartet, Rome, 1935, and by the Modern Art Quartet, New York City, 1936, and for broadcasting, 1937; Elegy for Clarinet and Strings, performed by the Modern Art Quartet, New York city, 1936, by the Phil-Sym Quartet, Yaddo, 1936, and by members of the Greenwich Concert Orchestra, New York, 1927; Serenade for Flute and Clarinet, performed by George Lizitsky and William Bortman, New York, 1937, by Gerald Rudy and Paul Howland, New York City, 1939, by Frances Blaisdell and Alexander Williams, Brooklyn, 1940, and by Glen Haydon and Earl Slocum, University of North Carolina, 1940; Yankee Bluebritches, performed by Ralph Gilbert, Bennington College, 1940; Andante for Flute and Strings, performed by New York Civic Orchestra, New York City, 1939, by the Eastman School Little Symphony, Rochester, 1940; Letter to the World, performed by Louis Horst for performances by Martha Graham and her Dance Group, Bennington College, 1940, on tour, 1940–41, and New York City, 1941.

Recordings: Scherzo From The South, and The Valley of the Muted Songbirds, recorded by Richard Singer, 1936; Andante for Flute and Strings, by Eastman School Little Symphony Orchestra, 1940.