An Analytical and Educational Survey of Howard Hanson's Dies ...

Chapter 1 : Howard HansonBiographyHoward Harold Hanson was born on October 28, 1896 in the small Swedish-American community of Wahoo, Nebraska. His parents were second generationimmigrants from Sweden. His father owned a hardware store while his mother served asa housewife. Hanson's musical studies began with his mother, Hilma, who taught himpiano when he was six and encouraged his early interest in composing. Hanson begancello at the age of nine to play in a string quartet that he founded (Monroe, 1970). Hewould continue his studies on both piano and cello throughout his school years.Hanson graduated from Luther College in his hometown of Wahoo in 191 1at theage of fifteen, while simultaneously enrolled in high school classes. He graduated fromhigh school two years after his graduation from Luther College (Monroe, 1970). Hansonexcelled academically and musically, graduating as valedictorian of his small high schoolclass of thirteen while taking college-level harmony, counterpoint, piano, and cello. Hisprimary teacher at Luther College was A. O. Petersen, whose teaching focused on theworks of Grieg, Handel, and Bach (Monroe, 1970). Upon his graduation from Luther,Hanson spent a year furthering his musical training in Lincoln at the University ofNebraska School of Music.Hanson next headed to New York to study at the Institute of Musical Art, whichlater became the Juilliard School of Music. Hanson was in residence there during the1913-1914 academic year, studying piano with James Friskin and composition with PercyGoetschius. While at the Institute, Hanson decided to focus on composition, rather than