Hailstork is a contemporary African-American composer whose powerfully moving Symphony no. 2 I just discovered today. From the Naxos liner notes:
"In the summer of 1996, I took a trip to Africa. There I visited the forts along the coast of Ghana, and saw the dungeons where the slaves were held before being shipped overseas. I put my reaction to that sad scene in movement two of this symphony. In movement four I sought to reflect the determination of a people who had arrived in America as slaves, but struggled, with courage and faith, against numerous odds."
It's a dark work, beginning with a quiet string chord interrupted by vicious brass chords. The second movement is notable for its mournful cor anglais solos and unsettling, mysterious drum beats. A nervous energy characterizes the third movement, and carries into the fourth movement as well but there are some more optimistic, dance-like sections in the latter. These are contrasted by anxious, almost nightmarish sections that rather put me in mind of Arnold's 6th and 7th symphonies, but ultimately, a triumphant, defiant ending is attained (barely). I highly recommend this symphony to anyone who enjoys tonal, substantial contemporary symphonies and it proves that the symphony is far from dead. I eagerly await exploration of more of Hailstork's music!
[asin]B000L42JAO[/asin]
https://youtu.be/ZasNkYyrEJQ
Certainly it sounds enticing!
I love "tonal, substantial contemporary" symphonies and am enjoying this one now. Thanks for introducing it to us.
Quote from: relm1 on July 24, 2018, 06:31:01 AM
I love "tonal, substantial contemporary" symphonies and am enjoying this one now. Thanks for introducing it to us.
Glad you enjoyed it! :)
I purchased the CD in 2008 but I can't remember much about it, which suggests that it didn't make much of an impression on me t the time. However, following Kyle's enthusiastic review I should listen to it again.
An extract from one of his symphonies was played on the radio a few days ago. It sounded really good.
Quote from: vandermolen on August 13, 2018, 10:21:06 AM
An extract from one of his symphonies was played on the radio a few days ago. It sounded really good.
Any idea which one? I haven't heard nos. 1 and 3, but I'm sure they're good.
Quote from: kyjo on August 13, 2018, 02:05:53 PM
Any idea which one? I haven't heard nos. 1 and 3, but I'm sure they're good.
No sure Kyle but I suspect that it was the slow movement of symphonies 2 or 3.
PS I just checked and it was the Adagio from Symphony 1 with JoAnn Falletta conducting.
To be released on November 15th:
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiOTY4NTcyMC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwid2VicCI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0Ijoid2VicCJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE3MjYwNjM0NzN9)
-Piano Quintet 'Detroit'
-Nobody Know
Only 43 minutes of music! ::)
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on September 14, 2024, 04:11:51 PMTo be released on November 15th:
(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiOTY4NTcyMC4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTAwfSwid2VicCI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0Ijoid2VicCJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE3MjYwNjM0NzN9)
-Piano Quintet 'Detroit'
-Nobody Know
Only 43 minutes of music! ::)
That's pretty inexcusable, considering both the capacity of CD timings these days and the large amount of other chamber works Mr. Hailstork has written. But it's better than nothing I guess...
While I'm here, I'll put in another plug for the marvelous Naxos CD of Hailstork's Symphonies nos. 2 and 3. These works - especially the truly powerful 2nd - prove that the symphony is indeed alive and well! They're accessible without being simplistic or aiming for cheap effects, convincingly argued, and atmospherically orchestrated. In comparison, I wasn't as taken with the Naxos CD containing his 1st Symphony and some shorter orchestral works, but it's still enjoyable enough.
I don't subscribe to the belief that CDs have to be filled to their entire running time. I do hope, however, that this one is priced accordingly.
Great name! I shall certainly have a listen to his Symphonies 2 & 3.
I was very impressed with his symphonies. I shall go on to explore other works of his that are available.
His music shrikes me as simple, but very effective.