Today is one of those days with so many interesting birthday anniversaries, it’s hard to make a choice. Do I write about the brilliant composer-conductor Igor Markevitch (born 1912); the Hungarian composer of so much gorgeous music, Ernő – later Ernst von – Dohnányi (born 1877); or possibly my favorite of Spanish composers, Enrique Granados (born 1867)? I definitely need an air shift to do this one justice.

Faced with such an embarrassment of riches, I feel a little sheepish focusing on Harl McDonald. But since he has a number of local connections, I think it fitting.

McDonald was born in Boulder, CO, in 1899. He studied at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Redlands and the Leipzig Conservatory. In 1927, he was appointed a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. He was also director of the university’s music department, its choral society and the University of Pennsylvania Glee Club.

In addition, he worked as a business manager for the Philadelphia Orchestra for a number of years, and his compositions were performed by Leopold Stokowski and Eugene Ormandy. Both Stokowski and Serge Koussevitzky recorded selections from “San Juan Capistrano” (1938), and Stokowski a good deal else beside.

Among his other works were four symphonies, a concerto for two pianos, a violin concerto, two piano trios and an assortment of choral works, including “Lament for the Stolen,” written in commemoration of the Lindbergh kidnapping.

McDonald died in Princeton in 1955.

There’s actually a surprising number of McDonald rarities posted on YouTube. In fact, my posting this morning has been delayed by so much listening.

Here’s McDonald’s Symphony No. 1 “Santa Fe Trail”:

If it picques your interest, there’s plenty else to explore. I have no idea where this guy got some of this stuff (air checks?), but it’s fascinating. My hat’s off to you, fellow traveler!