Corrections Regarding Composer George Walker

[Black Composers Series; Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Paul Freeman, conductor; Natalie Hinderas, piano; Sanford Allen, violin; Hale Smith: Ritual and Incantations; George Walker: Piano Concerto; Adolphus Hailstork: Celebration!; Roque Cordero: Violin Concerto, Eight Miniatures; Sony DSO-1111 (2002). Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma worked closely with Dr. Paul Freeman on the CBS Black Composers Series on LP in the 1970s; parts of those recordings have been made available on this CD.]

On Nov. 7, 2009 AfriClassical posted: “Dominique-René de Lerma: Scholar of Black Classical Music for 40 Years.” Composer George Walker has brought some corrections to our attention:
“Hello Bill, The interview with Dominique was interesting. Some details about me are faulty. (This often happens in interviews.)”

George Walker tells us he began teaching at Peabody, in Baltimore, in 1975. He clarifies that his Lyric for Strings was not the first work of his which was known to Dr. Paul Freeman, and was “...called Lament for only the first performance on the radio...” Also, the work “...was composed more than 20 years before Paul Freeman performed it.” Maestro Freeman had previously conducted performances of Address for Orchestra and Variations for Orchestra, George notes, and had conducted a recording of the composer's Trombone Concerto. Finally, George Walker's place of residence in New Jersey has always been Montclair.

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Thanks very much, Bill. George