Hugh Hartwell

Hartwell, Hugh

Hartwell, Hugh (Kenneth). Composer, teacher, b Hamilton, Ont, 18 Jan 1945; B MUS (McGill) 1967, (Pennsylvania) 1971, PH D (Pennsylvania) 1975. After study with István Anhalt at McGill University and with George Rochberg and George Crumb at the University of Pennsylvania Hartwell taught 1971-6 at Kirkland College, Clinton, NY. In 1976 he joined the faculty at McMaster University, teaching theory, composition, and jazz. He was chairman of the Music Dept 1986-9. Hartwell's early works, such as the 12-tone Septet (1969), employ rhythmic counterpoint in a dense continuity. Later works fragment the continuity, giving a sparse, pointillistic effect, but still are founded on a juxtaposition of rhythmic patterns. After 1976 his works are more romantically inclined, more flowing in rhythm, and reveal references to tonality. He has received commissions from Jack Behrens, the Canadian Federation of University Women, the CBC, the Hamilton Philharmonic, and the Tapestry Singers, among others. In 1986 his Waltz Inventions was one of six representative Canadian works chosen by the Washington Music Ensemble for performance at the John F. Kennedy Center, in celebration of the International Year of Canadian Music. Hartwell joined the editorial board of CUMR in 1989. He is a member of the CLComp and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre.

Selected Compositions

Matinée d'ivresse. 1966. Cl, violin, violoncello, piano, percussion. Jay 1971

ALBA from 'Langue d'Oc' (Pound). 1967. SATB. Ms

Soul-Piece for 6 or 7 Players. 1967; rev 1969. Chamb ensemble. Ber 1969

Piece for Piano. 1968. Ms

'How to Play Winning Bridge' (Hartwell). 1969. Alto, fl, viola, percussion. Ms

Septet. 1969. 3 clarinet, horn, string trio. Jay 1971

Kame'a. 1971. Chamb ensemble. Ms

'Resta de dormi noia..'. (Gesualdo, Eng transl by Hartwell). 1974. Sop, fl, piano. Ber 1978

Sonata for Orchestra. 1975. Ms

Waltz Invention. 1977. Vn, piano. Ber 1978

Refractions for Orchestra. 1979. Ms

'This Temple We Have Built' (Bible). 1982. Mezzo, bar, SATB, trumpet, horn, trombone, organ. Ms

March. Orch. 1986. Ms