Arlen, Harold

views updated

ARLEN, HAROLD

ARLEN, HAROLD (formerly Hyman Arluck ; 1905–1986), American composer and one of the country's most important songwriters. Born in Buffalo, New York, Arlen was the son of a ?azzan. He sang in the synagogue choir and worked as a ragtime pianist, dance band arranger, and singer in nightclubs and on river steamers. He first gained recognition as a songwriter with Get Happy (1928). In 1934 he turned to musical comedy and film scores as well as songs, which exemplify the trend of blending jazz with popular idioms. From 1931 to 1959, he composed eight musicals and from 1934 to 1963, 20 film scores. His successes include: "Stormy Weather" (1933); the music for the film The Wizard of Oz (1939), including the Academy Award-winning song "Over the Rainbow"; Star-Spangled Rhythm (1943); "That Old Black Magic" (1944); and the music for the film Here Come the Waves (1944). His musicals included Bloomer Girl (1944), Country Girl (1954), Jamaica (1957), and Saratoga (1959).

bibliography:

Grove, s.v.; E. Jablonsky, Harold Arlen: Rhythms, Ram Bows and Blues, 1996.

[Amnon Shiloah (2nd ed.)]

More From encyclopedia.com