EARLY REVIEWS FROM MUSIC CRITICS IN WASHINGTON, DC, BALTIMORE,MD AND NEW YORK:
WASHINGTON, DC The Evening Star - Jan 9, 1956 - "The novelty of the evening was the world premiere of a new symphony by a young and prolific composer, Spencer Huffman...The 7th Symphony...proved to be an engaging work, tuneful, unpretentious, and skillfully put together. Washington Post - June 2, 1958 - "The first performance of Spencer Huffman's first Divertimento for orchestra...he displayed a brilliant sense of formal design, giving clarity and life to attractive and commanding ideas." (Paul Hume) Washington Daily News - Jan 8, 1957 - "The Kindler Foundations' birthday anniversary concert produced something of a phenomenon - a young American composer who is courageous enough to write in the romantic tradition. (Milton Berliner) |
NEW YORK
Herald Tribune - Feb 15, 1950 - "The music of Mr. Huffman is broad in statement, vigorous, and composed largely of familiar diatonic elements. Its proportions are perfect, its communication direct...but best of all is it's craftsmanship. Every note is made to count and falls effortlessly into place. Every phrase is guided, and channeled into a powerful expressioin." (J.S.H.) The New York Times - Sept 27, 1950 "Mr. Huffman's string quartet is...honest music, relying on content, not effect...This quartet is a promising work from a talented young composer." (F.D.P.) BALTIMORE, MD The Sun - April 1, 1958 - Mr. Huffman...is one of the country's leading young composers. The texture of Huffman's music is solid. Even when he is writing rapid counterpoint, he imbues his music with a well-grounded firmness." (Weldon Wallace) |