Biography
Deems Taylor (born Joseph Taylor) (December 22, 1885 - July 3, 1966) was a U.S. composer, music critic, and promoter of classical music.
Taylor was a promoter of classical music throughout his life, working in broadcasting, and as intermission commentator for the New York Philharmonic. He appeared in Walt Disney's 1940 film Fantasia as the film's master of ceremonies, and was instrumental in selecting the musical pieces that were used in the film, including the then-controversial Sacre de Printemps. He provided the commentary of the technical story behind the recording of actual cannon fire and carillon for the famous recording (by Mercury, in 1954) of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture — still one of the most highly regarded recordings of that piece. He was also a frequent guest on the radio quiz program Information Please.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.