“The Politics of Music-Part 2”
John Malveaux
July 28, 2014
In 1978- 9, I offered American composer Roy Harris
a commission to write a symphony for me. After
some thought and asking me a few questions, Roy
Harris said he did not know what to write about
me and he was presently committed to write a
symphony and his age may be a challenge. Roy
Harris shared that the Soviet Union Olympic
Committee asked him to write a symphony for the
opening of the 1980 Summer Olympics Games in
Moscow that would receive an international
broadcast. He somewhat apologetically asked if I
would accept the symphony he would write for
the 1980 Summer Olympic Games as my requested
commissioned work. I asked my attorney, Martin
Blank Jr., to prepare an agreement. Roy Harris and
I signed the agreement.
a commission to write a symphony for me. After
some thought and asking me a few questions, Roy
Harris said he did not know what to write about
me and he was presently committed to write a
symphony and his age may be a challenge. Roy
Harris shared that the Soviet Union Olympic
Committee asked him to write a symphony for the
opening of the 1980 Summer Olympics Games in
Moscow that would receive an international
broadcast. He somewhat apologetically asked if I
would accept the symphony he would write for
the 1980 Summer Olympic Games as my requested
commissioned work. I asked my attorney, Martin
Blank Jr., to prepare an agreement. Roy Harris and
I signed the agreement.
During my final visit with Roy Harris in a Santa
Monica Hospital, the score was on a table near his
bedside. Roy Harris did not complete the symphony.
The name of the score suggested a reference to me.
Monica Hospital, the score was on a table near his
bedside. Roy Harris did not complete the symphony.
The name of the score suggested a reference to me.
I subsequently contacted the United States Olympic
Committee with the idea for me to organize a
concert honoring Roy Harris featuring the New York
Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center Avery
Fisher Hall. The concert would be a “good will”
gesture to the Soviet Union Olympic Committee and
a fundraiser for the USOC. After discussion and
reaching mutual agreement with the USOC, I asked
my attorney, Martin Blank Jr., to prepare the
agreement. Colonel R. Don Miller, Director of
Fundraising for the USOC and I signed the agreement.
AT&T was suggested as a potential sponsor by
the USOC. I met with two AT&T executives but
did not reach an agreement and a second meeting
was scheduled to continue the planning.
Committee with the idea for me to organize a
concert honoring Roy Harris featuring the New York
Philharmonic Orchestra at Lincoln Center Avery
Fisher Hall. The concert would be a “good will”
gesture to the Soviet Union Olympic Committee and
a fundraiser for the USOC. After discussion and
reaching mutual agreement with the USOC, I asked
my attorney, Martin Blank Jr., to prepare the
agreement. Colonel R. Don Miller, Director of
Fundraising for the USOC and I signed the agreement.
AT&T was suggested as a potential sponsor by
the USOC. I met with two AT&T executives but
did not reach an agreement and a second meeting
was scheduled to continue the planning.
While our USOC team was enjoying unexpected
victories during the Winter Games in Lake Placid, I
received an unexpected telephone call at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Colonel R. Don Miller said
the USOC will be unable to complete the contract
with me because “President Carter will announce
a boycott of 1980 Summer Games TOMORROW”.
victories during the Winter Games in Lake Placid, I
received an unexpected telephone call at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Colonel R. Don Miller said
the USOC will be unable to complete the contract
with me because “President Carter will announce
a boycott of 1980 Summer Games TOMORROW”.
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