Experts
John Harbison
Composer; Institute Prof. of Music, MIT
Bono and Alfredo Barraza. Read More
As an age of paradoxes. Read More
This country has a terribly hard time saying that we were wrong and that we made a mistake. Read More
How the United States will cope with China's rising prominence. Read More
The long shadow of the Holocaust. Read More
Harbison sees some hopeful signs. Read More
Harbison can read the King James Bible over and over. Read More
We have a tremendous attraction to intolerance bred into the early life of this country, Harbison says. Read More
Harbison cultivates his self-confidence. Read More
The younger generation never had to go through composer's boot camp. Read More
John Harbison discusses creative process. He believes everyone has their own process. Read More
Even a negative reaction is good. Read More
On composing around the digressive, self-centered poetry of Newash. Read More
Harbison discusses his influences and recounts seeing Stravinsky conduct. Read More
Are we capable of imaging the world in which we are not there anymore. Read More
Every decision about what's worthwhile in this country has to do with its economic power. Read More
Everyone in the world has written a poem. Read More
Did you manage during the day to do one thing you really wanted to do? Read More
On reconciling Bach and the Holocaust. Read More
Harbison's interest in history keeps him from being fully optimistic. Read More
About John Harbison
John Harbison is an American composer whose work is notable for its astonishing range and diversity. He has written for every conceivable type of concert performance and is also considered original and accessible for a wide range of audiences. His major works include four string quartets, four symphonies, the 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning cantata The Flight into Egypt and three operas, including "The Great Gatsby," which was commissioned by The Metropolitan Opera and first performed in December 1999. Harbison has been composer-in-residence with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Santa Fe Chamber Festival, the American Academy in Rome, Tanglewood, the California Institute for the Arts and Chamber Music West. He is also an Institute Professor at MIT and the Acting Artistic Director of Emmanuel Music. Harbison holds an MFA from Princeton University.