Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog: Beethoven's black violinist


[Kreutzer Sonata, Op. 47; Raphael Wallfisch, cello; John York, piano; Yuko Inoue, viola; Cello Classics CC1014 (2005)]

We are grateful that Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog has published "Beethoven's black violinist - post from AfriClassical":

William J. Zick wrote an interesting post on his AfriClassical blog earlier this week, stating:

The rumor that Beethoven is Black just won't go away, in spite of the lack of any real evidence. What most people are unaware of is Beethoven's real relationship with the Black violinist George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower (1780-1860).
Today I have posted the meticulously documented essay on his life by my principal adviser, Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University, who has specialized in Black composers and musicians for four decades.
Beethoven wrote his Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A Minor, Op. 47 to display the virtuoso talent of Bridgetower.
Beethoven rescinded his dedication to Bridgetower because of a personal disagreement prior to publication. It was also George Bridgetower who was accompanied on piano by Beethoven at the work's debut performance in 1803 at Vienna's Auergarten Theater.

Check out the complete post here.



George+Bridgetower" rel="tag">George Gridgetower
Beethoven+race" rel="tag">Beethoven race
classical+music" rel="tag">classical music
Black+Violinist" rel="tag">Black Violinist
Beethoven+Violinist" rel="tag">Beethoven Violinist
Beethoven+Dedication" rel="tag">Beethoven Dedication

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