Howard, Leslie (John)

Howard, Leslie (John), Australian pianist, organist, conductor, musicologist, and composer; b. Melbourne, April 29, 1948. He was educated at Monash Univ., Victoria (B.A., 1969; M.A., 1972), the Univ. of Melbourne (1966–71), and the Accademia Musicale Chi-giana in Siena (1972–75), and also received private instruction from Guido Agosti (piano), Donald Britton (organ and harpsichord), Fritz Rieger (conducting), and Franco Donatoni (composition). After making his formal debut as a pianist in Melbourne in 1967, he appeared as a soloist with orchs., as a recitalist, and as a chamber music artist in Australia, Europe, North and South America, and Asia. He also taught at Monash Univ. (1970–72) and was a prof, of piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London (1987–92). While Howard’s keyboard repertoire extends from classical masterpieces to contemporary scores, he has become particularly associated with the music of Liszt, both as a performer and a researcher. In 1988 he became president of the Liszt Soc. in England. Among his honors are the Liszt Medal of Honor of the Hungarian government (1986) and the Medal of Honor of the Liszt Soc. of America (1993). His writings have appeared in various publications.

Works

dramatic:Fruits of the Earth, ballet (1971); Hreidar the Fool, opera (1973–74).ORCH.: Canzona Sinfonica for Symphonic Wind Band (1977–78). CHAMBER: String Quartet (1966); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello (1968); Violin Sonata (1968); Sonata for Percussion and Piano (1968); Quattro Riflessioni for Violin, Clarinet, and Piano (1969); Pavane for Clarinet, 2 Violins, and Piano (1970); Horn Sonata (1970); Ramble on a Russian Theme for Domra or Mandolin or Violin and Piano (1972); Romance for Flute and Piano (1980); Cello Sonata (1983); Trio for Piano, Violin, and Viola or Clarinet (1987); Grand Galop drolatique for Organ and Piano (1993). keyboard: piano:Capriccio for 2 Pianos (1967); Sonata (1970); 2 Album- Leaves (1972); Variations on a Theme by Bartok for Piano Duet (1973); 24 Classical Preludes (1989). organ:Moto di gioia—Postludium (1993); Mr. Haydn’s Clock—Ein Orgelstück für einer Uhr? (1993). VOCAL: Choral Song for Solo Treble Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1970); Recitation for Speaker, Guitar, Cello, and Double Bass (1972); A Festival Mass for Chorus and Organ (1973); Missa Sancti Petri for Double Chorus and Organ (1992–93); songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire