Brown, Rayner
Brown, Rayner
Brown, Rayner, American organist, teacher, and composer; b. Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 23, 1912; d. Los Angeles, June 16, 1999. He studied at the Univ. of Southern Calif, in Los Angeles (B.Mus., 1938; M.Mus., 1947); his mentors included Dahl, Eisler, and Cailliet. He was organist at Wilshire Presbyterian Church (1941–77) and a prof, of music at Biola Univ. in La Mirada, Calif. (1950–77).
Works
orch.:6 syms. (1952, 1957, 1958, 1980, 1982, 1982); 7 organ concertos (1959, 1966, 1980, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1986); Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Orch. (1979); Concerto for Bass Trombone and Wind Orch. (1981); Clarinet Concerto (1984); Concerto for Violin, Harp, and Orch. (1987); Concert for Organ Duet and Orch. (1989); also various pieces for Wind Orch. and band music. chamber 3 sonatas for Flute and Piano (1944, 1959, 1985); Quartet for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1947); String Quartet (1953); 4 brass quintets (1957, 1960, 1981, 1985); Violin Sonata (1977); Sonata for 6 Trombones (1980); Tuba Quartet (1980); Trio for Cello, Trumpet, and Piano (1982); Sonata for Violin and Harp (1986); Sonata for English Horn and Organ (1989); Sonata for Harp and Organ (1990); various piano pieces; numerous organ works, including 35 sonatinas (1945–80) and 20 sonatas (1958–87).vocalCantatas and other pieces.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire