Saturday, April 19, 2008

MSU Presents World Premiere of Adolphus Hailstork Commission April 26

Serenade “To Hearts Which Near Each Other Move,” by Adolphus Hailstork, to honor Whartons

Michigan State University College of Music, April 1, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. – On Saturday, April 26, Wharton Center will make history when the MSU Symphony Orchestra, University Chorale, and State Singers pay tribute to Clifton and Dolores Wharton with a world premiere commission by Michigan State University alumnus and award-winning composer Adolphus Hailstork.

This musical piece, Serenade “To Hearts Which Near Each Other Move,” was commissioned by the Michigan State University College of Music and Wharton Center for Performing Arts. The centerpiece for the text was “Love’s Philosophy,” a poem by Percy B. Shelley, which was suggested by Dolores Wharton. Hailstork selected additional poems by Shelley to complete the work.

Serenade was written in direct response to Mrs. Wharton's statement that she wished the love story could be told,” said the piece’s composer Adolphus Hailstork, a 1971 alumnus of the MSU College of Music. “After our initial meeting in New York City, Mrs. Wharton sent the text to “Love's Philosophy” and my research into Shelley began. I hope I have written a love song worthy of what she wanted to express.” Full Post [The African American composer Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork (b. 1941) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]









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