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Deems Taylor (born Joseph Taylor) (1885 - 1966) was a U.S. composer and music critic.
Taylor was born in New York City and educated at New York University (NYU). He initially planned to become an architect, however with minimal musical training he soon took to music composition. The result was a series of musical comedies. In 1916 he wrote The Chambered Nautilus, followed by Through the Looking-Glass in 1918, earning him public praise and recognition.
In 1921 he secured a job as music critic for the New York World, a post he held when approached by the Metropolitan Opera to suggest a composer to write a new opera. He put forth his own name, and was accepted, the result being The King's Henchman, with the libretto by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Peter Ibbetson followed in 1929.
Taylor was a promoter of classical music throughout his life, working in broadcasting, and as intermission commentator fo the New York Philharmonic. He even appeared in the Disney film Fantasia as the film's master of ceremonies.
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