African American Composers

[Ugh!]

need no apology, no defense, no explanation, no patronising.

They need performance.
(Natalie Hinderas)


Olly Wilson
William Grant Still
...

[Christo]

Always enjoyed William Grant Still (1895-1978) a lot - especially the First Symphony `African-American' (1931) (as good as anything by Gershwin), but also the Second `Song of a New Race' (1937).

I myself learnt to know these first two symphonies (there are more) thanks to Chandos and Neeme Järvi's fresh approach to the music of the country of his (then) new employer, but the First is also available now in a fine version on Naxos:

[vandermolen]

Always enjoyed William Grant Still (1895-1978) a lot - especially the First Symphony `African-American' (1931) (as good as anything by Gershwin), but also the Second `Song of a New Race' (1937).

I myself learnt to know these first two symphonies (there are more) thanks to Chandos and Neeme Järvi's fresh approach to the music of the country of his (then) new employer, but the First is also available now in a fine version on Naxos:

I too discovered the Grant Still symphonies on Chandos. Both very enjoyable.

[Ugh!]

What about the William Levi Dawson piece?

[schweitzeralan]

I too discovered the Grant Still symphonies on Chandos. Both very enjoyable.

I placed a posting on Still but there were no responses.  I stated that his piano music, the ones with which I became familiar, were not particularly Afro-american oriented.  Some that perhaps I haven't heard  may be folkloric or African American. His "Seven Traceries" and his "Preludes," however, are quite European and exotic with interesting harmonies, parallel chords with shifting tonal effects.  Interesting.  Admittedly, his orchestral works tend to be Afro-American or evince a certain "blues" effect.  He seems to be a dualist.

[SonicMan46]

Just did a quick google and found this...

http://chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com/others.html

An impressive list - I have few of these composers, of course Scott Joplin & Duke Ellington, but not really classical music - of the others, just own a few discs of Coleridge-Taylor & William Grant Still - shown below are the 2 CDs that I have of Still, for those who may be interested - (can scan in the works for those interested, if not easily found on the web) - 

 

[Dundonnell]

An impressive list - I have few of these composers, of course Scott Joplin & Duke Ellington, but not really classical music - of the others, just own a few discs of Coleridge-Taylor & William Grant Still - shown below are the 2 CDs that I have of Still, for those who may be interested - (can scan in the works for those interested, if not easily found on the web) - 

 

Coleridge-Taylor?

With respect, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was not an African American Composer. He was born and bred in London to a father from Sierra Leone and an English mother.

[SonicMan46]

Coleridge-Taylor?

With respect, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was not an African American Composer. He was born and bred in London to a father from Sierra Leone and an English mother.

Yes, I understand that completely - I was simply listing the composers in the 'link' that was given by James - I know the heritage of Coleridge-Taylor as stated above and never stated that he was an American composer (despite the title of the thread) - own the CD shown below - the liner notes are outstanding in expanding on the brief description above - a recommendation and would look forward to other suggestions by this English-African composer - sorry for the confusion, I should have been clearer, I guess - 

[Brian]

Coleridge-Taylor?

With respect, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was not an African American Composer. He was born and bred in London to a father from Sierra Leone and an English mother.

For what it is worth, Coleridge-Taylor was eulogized by the essayist W.E.B. DuBois, who held him up as an example of what African-Americans could do if the limitations of racism in the United States were lifted. I can try to find the text if you like...

Some very interesting African-American composers to consider in this thread. Not least of them is the previously mentioned Duke Ellington, whose composition teacher, Will Marion Cook (first African writer on Broadway), studied with Dvorak in the 1890s.

I'd be interested to hear thoughts on Florence Price, if any of you know the name: an African-American woman whose symphonies were performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in the 1930s to general acclaim, but whose music is a rarity today.

[Ugh!]

For what it is worth, Coleridge-Taylor was eulogized by the essayist W.E.B. DuBois, who held him up as an example of what African-Americans could do if the limitations of racism in the United States were lifted. I can try to find the text if you like...

Somewhat off topic, but of all persons, a Norwegian composer, Gunnar Sønstevold composed a wonderful work based on DuBois' poetic response to the 1906 Atlanta race riot. Litany in Atlanta was composed in memoriam Louis Armstrong and is a remarkable work for orchestra, jazz orchestra, mixed (amateur) choir, and female reciter. Certainly, Afro-American cultural influences are highly traceable throughout the work...

[Josquin des Prez]

Yes, I understand that completely - I was simply listing the composers in the 'link' that was given by James - I know the heritage of Coleridge-Taylor as stated above and never stated that he was an American composer (despite the title of the thread) - own the CD shown below - the liner notes are outstanding in expanding on the brief description above - a recommendation and would look forward to other suggestions by this English-African composer - sorry for the confusion, I should have been clearer, I guess - 

Is that actually from THE Coleridge-Taylor? That's pretty fascinating.