Howard Hanson, conductor Fall River Legend (Ballet Suite): Cotillion Lyrics

Morton Gould (1913-1996) became one of the most highly respected American composers, and his distinguished career was crowned with a Pulitzer Prize (for his Stringmusic, commissioned by Mstislav Rostropovich for the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington) just a year before his death at the age of 82. Other conductors attracted to Gould's works included Arturo Toscanini, Leopold Stokowski and Leonard Slatkin. Gould composed for the concert hall, radio, television, films, theatre and ballet, in styles ranging from classical to jazz. The only area in which he didn't succeed greatly was in popular songs - "I've written songs millions of people have not sung!" he once said.

Among his best-known works were the ballet Fall River Legend and American Symphonette No. 3, which became better known as Pavanne (the mis-spelling was deliberate). His American Salute (based on When Johnny Comes Marching Home) also caught the public's attention. During his long career he steadily built up a reputation as a true guardian of the best in American music, resulting in several prestigious commissions such as America Sing which opened the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Morton Gould made many light music recordings, often in praise of the greatest American songwriters. He was also attracted to Negro spirituals, both as an arranger of traditional songs and - as in the case of his LP 'Spirituals For Orchestra' - as a composer. From 1986 to 1994 Gould was President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).