Howard Hanson's 3rd symphony performed on NBC radio, March 26, 1936
Howard Harold Hanson, was an American composer, music theorist and ardent champion of American classical music, helped to shape the rich music culture of the United States.
Hanson wove Swedish and later American folk melodies and rhythms into his compositions amongst the romanticism of polychords, and polyrhythms which gave his music a wide spectrum of traditional and contemporary styles.
The blend of many genres created harmony and sense of cooperation within his works which reflected in his organizing skills as a conductor and communicative skills as an educator.
His works are orchestral works are a collection of the four symphonies. The third symphony was commissioned by the Columbia Broadcasting Company, and even before it was completed, three of its movements were heard on a radio program on September 19, 1937, with Dr Hanson conducting. The holograph score of this composition, Opus 33, is 169 pages in length and is the completed form of the symphony, bearing the date March 15, 1938.
On March 26 the entire symphony was performed by the NBC orchestra, again under the direction of the composer. Although this work has no subtitle, it represents a tribute to the sturdiness of the Nordic pioneers in America, particularly in conquering the West.
Hanson was also awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his Symphony No. 4.
Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa wins the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement, March 26, 1990
Akira Kurosova is one of the finest and influential filmmakers in the history of world cinema. Kurosova directed thirty films in his illustrious career.
Rashomon, which premiered in Tokyo in August 1950, was the surprise winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1951 and was subsequently released in Europe and North America.
Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Kurosawa directed approximately a film a year, including a number of highly regarded films such as Ikiru (1952), Seven Samurai (1954) and Yojimbo (1961). In 1990, he accepted the Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
72nd Academy Awards, March 26, 2000
On this day the 72nd Academy Awards ceremony took place at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Center in Los Angeles. The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 26, 2000. Sam Mendes was the sixth person to win Best Director for his directorial debut.
Best Actor winner Kevin Spacey became the tenth performer to win acting Oscars in both lead and supporting categories. Hilary Swank won the best actress for 'Boys Don't cry'.
'Doctor Who' returns to BBC TV after 16 years, March 26, 2005
'Doctor Who', a British science fiction series returns to BBC TV after 16 years with the debut of Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor and Billie Piper as Rose on this day.
