TASO Musicians Perform 'Miniatures' of William Grant Still Aug. 18 at Springfield NJ Free Public Library

[William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.]

AfriClassical has received a news release from Renee Rojahn on the August 18, 2010 Chamber Music Recital at the Springfield Free Public Library in Springfield, New Jersey. At our request, a Reference Librarian has identified the recital's work by William Grant Still:

"Chamber Music at the Springfield Free Public Library

Springfield: On Wednesday, August 18th, at 7:30 P.M., the Springfield Free Public Library is pleased to present a free chamber music concert by the musicians of The August Symphony Orchestra (TASO). Two groups representing string and wind sections of the orchestra will share the program. The Woodland String Quartet +1 (a quartet plus a guest violinist) will perform movements from Mozart and Beethoven viola quintets. The Second Winds Woodwind Quintet will perform works by Poulenc, William Grant Still, Rossini, and Lowell Shaw.

"The past five summers, TASO has presented full orchestral concerts for the public at Springfield’s Jonathan Dayton High School. The recent passing of the orchestra’s conductor and music director, Martin Sklar, necessitated a change of direction for the current season. According to a TASO trustee, 'This chamber concert is one way we can carry into our sixth season Maestro Sklar’s goal of bringing classical music to the community. Springfield has given the orchestra a wonderful reception, and we would not want to fail to be there this summer.' The Springfield Free Public Library is located at 66 Mountain Avenue, Springfield. For additional information, call 973-376-4930.”

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory. The entry on William Grant Still's 1948 composition Miniatures for flute, oboe & piano lists the five movements:
1. I ride old paint (USA)

2. Adolorido (Mexico)

3. Jesus is rock in the weary land (USA)

4. Yaravi (Peru)

5. A frog went a-courtin' (USA).

The Miniatures have been released on Sierra Winds, Cambria CD 1083 (1995).

The August Symphony Orchestra
Springfield Free Public Library
Chamber Music
August 18
William Grant Still
Miniatures for flute, oboe and piano

Celso Machado Headlines Portland Folk Festival August 20, 2010

[Celso Machado]

On July 10, AfriClassical posted “1st Portland Folk Festival Features Celso Machado, Afro-Brazilian Guitarist, August 20, 2010.” Amanda Stark of the Portland Folk Festival has pointed out the complete lineup of performers at the Alberta Rose Theatre as well as schedule and ticket information:

Alberta Rose Theatre

3000 NE Alberta St., 503.719.6055

doors at 7:30 pm, $14 advance / $16 day of show, 21+

8pm: Tragos Amargos feat. Luz Elena of Y La Bamba

8:45pm: Celso Machado

10pm: Natya Leela (Classical Indian Dance)

10:30pm: Vagabond Opera

Celso Machado's website is http://www.celsomachado.com/ AfriClassical.com has long profiled Celso Machado as a Musician of African Descent whose compositions for classical guitar include both classical and world music. He was born in Brazil in 1953. Celso lived and worked in Europe for a few years. Since 1989 his home base has been Canada, and he has continued to tour widely. Éditions Henry Lemoine of Paris has published a volume of compositions whose title translates to: Brazilian Popular Music for Flute and Guitar. A forthcoming volume will be entitled Brazilian Music With Baroque Inspiration.

ABC7 TV in Chicago Airs Interview With Paul Freeman, Founder and Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta

[Paul Freeman]

Phyllis Fleming has kindly forwarded a link to a 7-minute Chicago television interview with Maestro Paul Freeman (b. 1936), the African American conductor who is Founder and Music Director of the uniquely diverse orchestra known as the Chicago Sinfonietta. It was aired on July 26, 2010. Since 1996 Paul Freeman has also been Conductor of the Czech National Orchestra. 2010-2011 will be his final Season at the Sinfonietta. He is profiled at AfriClassical.com. The following is an excerpt from an email announcement made by the Chicago Sinfonietta:

ChicagoSinfonietta.org

“Curious about who will be named the new Music Director?

And the new Music Director is...

“Tune in to 98.7 WFMT on Wednesday, August 4 at 9:00 AM as the announcement of the Sinfonietta's new music director is made live on the air.” “The baton will be passed from Paul Freeman to the music director designate at the end of the 2010-11 season. Take your seat with the Sinfonietta as Maestro Freeman takes the podium for these final performances.”

“Sinfonietta's Heart and Soul. ABC7 Chicago presented a special edition of 'Heart and Soul,' hosted by Charles Thomas and Leah Hope, with a spotlight on Maestro Paul Freeman. Heart & Soul is a series of specials that tap into Chicago's vibrant African American community. Dr. Freeman talked about his career in music and his feelings about leaving the Sinfonietta after more than two decades. Click ABC7 to view the seven minute segment which begins at the 15 minute mark.”

ABC7 Television Chicago
Paul Freeman Interview
Founder and Music Director
Chicago Sinfonietta
Model of Diversity
Paul Freeman Retires

Video of Julius P. Williams Conducting Ebony Longar Symphony Orchestra In His 'Meditation' (6:20) at Tully Hall

[Julius Penson Williams]

On July 3, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “Julius P. Williams Conducts Premiere of 'Moments of Arrival' by Elena Roussanova Luca.” Today we post a video of Maestro Williams conducting a performance of Meditation (6:20), which he composed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgFIOfitJc

The performance was given on October 21, 2009 by the Ebony Longar Symphony Orchestra. The venue was the New Alice Tully Hall in New York's Lincoln Center.

Julius Penson Williams (b. 1954) is an African American composer and conductor, educator, recording artist, author and artistic director. His career is detailed at AfriClassical.com and at his personal website, http://www.juliuspwilliams.com

Julius P. Williams
Meditation for Orchestra
Ebony Longar Symphony Orchestra
October 21, 2009
Tully Hall
New York

Program Details of CD 'Act I' of Weston Sprott, Trombone & Hanako Yamagata, Piano

[Act I; Weston Sprott, trombone; Hanako Yamagata, piano; WS Records (2010)]

On July 21, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “Weston Sprott, Trombonist in Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Has CD 'Act I,' Is In Two Films.” We noted that Weston Sprott, http://www.WestonSprott.com, released his first CD, Act I, in February on WS Records. It is a solo trumpet recording with piano accompaniment by Hanako Yamagata.

The CD is available at CDBaby.com and the music can be downloaded at Amazon.com. We have since obtained a copy of the CD, so we can now provide the names of the composers whose works are on the program. Weston's thoughtful choice of repertoire and his polished performance made the listening experience pleasant and interesting, even after several hearings!

Jacques Castérède - Sonatine pour Trombone et Piano

1. I (3:26)

2. II (5:21)

3. III (5:18)

Giacomo Puccini – Selected Tenor Arias

4. Manon Lescaut - "Tra Voi Belle" (1:23)

5. Tosca - "Recondita Armonia" (3:04)

6. La Boheme - "Che Gelida Manina" (4:44)

7. Turandot - "Nessun Dorma" (3:06)

Gaetano Donizetti

8. L'Elisir d'Amore - "Una Furtiva Lagrima" (4:46)

David Uber

9. Romance (6:24)

Allen Molineaux

10. Manipulations (5:25)

Henri Tomasi – Concerto pour Trombone et Orchestre

11. Concerto: I. Andante et Scherzo – Valse (8:13)

12. Concerto: II. Nocturne (5:17)

13. Concerto: III. Tambourin (3:53)

Arthur Pryor

14. Starlight - Waltz Caprice (5:09)

15. Blue Bells of Scotland (6:33)

Nyaho/Garcia Duo's 'Aaron Copland: Music for Two Pianos' Released as Download

[Aaron Copland: Music for Two Pianos; Nyaho/Garcia Duo; Centaur CRC 2405 (1998)]

Twelve years after its release, the CD Aaron Copland: Music for Two Pianos can be difficult to find at music websites, but ClassicsOnline.com now offers an MP3 download of the recording for $9.99. The CD was recorded at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and was released by Centaur Records in 1998. The Duo performs frequently, but this is the only recording made together by pianists Dr. William Chapman Nyaho and Dr. Susanna Garcia. Dr. Nyaho (b. 1958) is profiled at AfriClassical.com and has a personal website, http://www.Nyaho.com.

Dr. Garcia's biography is found at http://www.enovativepiano.com/site94.php The biography notes: “In 1998, Garcia, along with pianist William Chapman Nyaho, released the first complete recording of Aaron Copland's two-piano works on Centaur Records. In addition to many favorable reviews, this recording was featured on the BBC program Desert Island Disks, a program suggesting recordings that one would wish to have if stranded on a desert island.”

The website of William Chapman Nyaho says of the recording: “In November 1998, Nyaho and Garcia released their first compact disc recording of the complete transcriptions of Aaron Copland for two pianos for Centaur Records. Classical Magazine wrote then that the duo, 'form a perfect match in their style of playing, their tone, and in their genuine feeling for and understanding of the Copland pieces... This CD will be the standard against which any future performances of these dances will be measured.'"

Program

El salon Mexico (arr. L. Bernstein) (10:31)

Rodeo (excerpts) (arr. A. Gold and R. Fizdale)

Hoe-Down (3:39)

Saturday Night Waltz (4:45)

Dance of the Adolescent (6:14)

Danza de Jalisco (3:58)

Variations on a Shaker Melody (arr. B. Lerner) (5:50)

Danzon cubano (6:49)

Billy the Kid

I. The Open Prairie (2:54)

II. Street in a Frontier Town (4:15)

III. Billy and his Sweetheart (2:49)

IV. Celebration After Billy's Capture (2:35)

V. Billy's Demise (1:22)

'The National' of Abu Dhabi: William Grant Still's 'Africa' is 'one of his loveliest symphonic works'

[William Grant Still: Africa; American Symphony Orchestra; Leon Botstein, conductor; (27:11) MP3 Available July 14, 2010]

On June 26, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “William Grant Still's 'Africa' by American Symphony Orchestra on MP3 July 14, 2010.” Today a review of the release was published by The National of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

The National

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

“American Symphony Orchestra / Botstein: Africa William Grant Still

Gemma Champ”

“ASO

If you’re wondering who William Grant Still (1895-1978) is, you’re not alone. The US composer, a contemporary of greats such as George Gershwin and Aaron Copland, is strangely unknown and unperformed, in spite of the laudable attempts of organisations such as the American Symphony Orchestra under Leon Botstein to revive his works. Still was an African American composer, a fact that both informed his sound and prevented the popular success he might have expected, given the quality and accessibility of his work. Though championed by eminent musicians during his lifetime, 1920s-40s America simply could not equate classical music with the African-American community, which was finding cultural prominence through the Harlem Renaissance. Still worked as an arranger for bands such as Paul Whiteman’s orchestra, wrote film scores and was the first black American to conduct a major symphony orchestra. He composed a corpus of extraordinary works that combine the modernist training he received at the hands of Varèse with the traditional folk culture of his grandmother’s Spirituals and the urbanity of Harlem’s jazz. This, one of his loveliest symphonic works, is a three-movement Gershwin-esque ode to Africa – a continent he never visited but knowingly endowed with all the Hollywood exoticism his American-born imagination could conjure.” [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory.]

Kelly Hall-Tompkins teaches and performs this week at Mark O'Connor String Camp NYC

[Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins is not only prominent in the world of classical music; as Founder and Executive Director of the widely publicized Music Kitchen: Food for the Soul she has also become a familiar figure at facilities for the homeless men and women of New York City. Millions of television viewers have been introduced to her advocacy of classical music performances as a powerful tool for providing important aesthetic and emotional support to the homeless. This week Kelly plays a different role, as an Instructor at the Mark O'Connor String Camp in New York City:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins

Ethical Culture Society at 64th and Central Park West

Free Concerts of Instructors Showcase

Monday at 7pm - O'Connor String Quartet #2, "Bluegrass"

featuring:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin

Mark O'Connor, violin

Gillian Gallagher, viola

Patrice Jackson, cello

Wednesday July 28 at 7pm - Richard Strauss Sonata first movement

featuring:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin

Craig Ketter, piano

Dr. Timothy W. Holley: 'conversation about the presence of musicians of African descent couldn't come at a more appropriate time'

[John Blanke, Trumpeter in the Court of King Henry VIII, Westminster Tournament, 1511 (National Archives, United Kingdom)]

On July 25, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!” The title was taken from a comment by Carol Watford on July 24, 2010 in the Guest Book at AfriClassical.com:

Carol Watford

Saturday, 7/24/10, 7:39 PM “What a great and resourceful site. This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!” From: New York City

AfriClassical remarked, in part: “Carol Watford makes an excellent point! We appreciate her post very much! Teachers and students should not have to rely on a website to learn that England's King Henry VIII employed John Blanke, a Black musician, as a Royal Trumpeter!”

On July 26, 2010 the post drew a comment from Dr. Timothy W. Holley, a cellist who is Assistant Professor of Music and Director, University Honors Program, at North Carolina Central University:

“Ms. Watford, The timing of such a large-scale conversation about the presence of musicians of African descent couldn't come at a more appropriate time...just as school boards are making decisions to cut the very programs that would directly inculcate this priceless information to the next generation!! Just think...if this generation doesn't get it because it isn't made available to them, the information could be lost to them...meaning that it could take as much as another half-century before a receptive generation receives and runs with this information!! The implications of the current situation (e.g., in the Detroit Public Schools presently) is grave indeed!! Thank you for your notice!!!

Naxos Releases CD Version of 'George Walker: Chamber Music and Songs'

[George Walker: Chamber Music and Songs, Son Sonora String Quartet; Capitol Chamber Artists; Angelo Frascarelli, conductor; Videmus Ensemble; Cygnus Ensemble; Naxos 8.559659 (2010) (74:23)]

George Walker is an African American composer and pianist who was born in Washington, D.C. June 27, 1922. He is profiled at AfriClassical.com, and his personal website is http://georgetwalker.com/ George Walker: Chamber Music and Songs is one of two major recordings of his works to be released in 2010. As AfriClassical announced on Dec. 1, 2009, the content was first released via streaming and download. It was issued on CD this month.

The new Naxos disc is generously timed; at 74:23 it is one of the longer recordings we have reviewed recently. Track 1 is String Quartet No. 2 (1968) (22:01). It is performed by the Son Sonora String Quartet: Airi Yosioka, Violin I; Ashley Horne, Violin II; Liu-Wien Ting, Viola; and Arash Amini, Cello. The composer notes that he revised the composition after its premiere, and several performances of the revised work were given before the recording was made.

Track 2 is Poem (for soprano and chamber ensemble) (1987) (15:36), with text by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965). The ensemble is Capitol Chamber Artists, with sopranos Janet Stasio and Janet Rowe accompanied by 9 instrumentalists under the direction of Angelo Frascarelli, conductor. This work was supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, according to the liner notes by the composer, which also say: “The premiere by the Capitol Chamber Artists in Albany NY occurred in February 1987. B.A. Nilsson, writing in the Schenectady Gazette, pronounced it 'a masterpiece'.”

George Walker's famous Lyric for Strings (version for string quartet) (1946) (6:25) is performed on Track 3 by the Son Sonora String Quartet. The liner notes tell us: “The Lyric for Strings, one of the most frequently performed orchestral works by an American composer, is heard on this disc in its original version for a string quartet.” Five Fancies (1974) (9:30) is performed on Track 4 by Eric Thomas, clarinet; Vivian Taylor, piano, and John McDonald, piano. George Walker writes: “Five Fancies may be the only work composed for the combination of clarinet and piano four hands.” Track 5 features Modus (for chamber ensemble) (2001) (9:12) in a performance by the 6 members of the Cygnus Ensemble.

George Walker is the pianist on Tracks 6-10. He is joined on the first three songs by Patricia Green, mezzo-soprano, and on the last two by James Martin, baritone. The songs, with dates, times and authors of the texts, are: I Never Saw A Moor (1986) (Emily Dickinson) (2:01); Response (1940) (Paul Laurence Dunbar) (2:26); Mother Goose (Circa 2054) (1992) (Irene Sekula) 1:21); Take, O Take Those Lips Away (2004) (William Shakespeare) (2:39); And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus (2002) Thomas Wyatt (3:10). The liner notes say: “The songs are considered to be among the finest by any contemporary composer.”

'This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!'

[John Blanke, Trumpeter in the Court of King Henry VIII, Westminster Tournament, 1511 (National Archives, United Kingdom)]

The Guest Book at AfriClassical.com has over 600 entries. It continues to be a source of information and inspiration for us and our many visitors. Occasionally, AfriClassical posts a comment. Here is an enthusiastic entry made yesterday in support of the site's mission:

Carol Watford

Saturday, 7/24/10, 7:39 PM “What a great and resourceful site. This wealth of information should be mandated to be in the public school curriculums across the United States!” From: New York City

Carol Watford makes an excellent point! We appreciate her post very much! Teachers and students should not have to rely on a website to learn that England's King Henry VIII employed John Blanke, a Black musician, as a Royal Trumpeter! Nor that Beethoven originally dedicated the “Kreutzer Sonata” to George Bridgetower, the Black violin virtuoso who premiered the work with Beethoven in 1803!

History textbooks should explain that Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) was a leading fencer, violinist, composer and conductor of Afro-French heritage, with a mother who was a slave owned by his father. We firmly believe such information is essential to the education of people of all races, if they are to have an accurate understanding of humanity's past and present.

'NPR Topics' at NPR.org Links to AfriClassical Posts

[William Grant Still; Denver Oldham, piano; Koch 3 7084 2H1 (1991)]

On Saturday evening AfriClassical posted: “Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra Performs 'Serenade' of William Grant Still July 27.” Minutes later, a link to the post appeared at National Public Radio's NPR Topics. Dozens of AfriClassical stories have appeared in the past two months, in keeping with a new NPR policy:

“NPR Now Links to News Content on Other Websites

The NPR audience has a thirst for news. To provide a greater depth of coverage for each day's top stories, NPR.org now features links to stories on other news sites.

“Automated Display of News Stories

NPR has partnered with technology company Daylife to bring you news stories from around the web. Daylife uses automated technology to gather news from thousands of websites and then display a sampling of relevant stories on NPR.org. Google News uses similar automated technology.”

Daylife also distributes content from AfriClassical to the website of Madison Square Garden and to Tennessean.com [William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory.]

NPR Links To AfriClassical
NPR Topics
Automated Display
Daylife Company
Madison Square Garden
AfriClassical.com

Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra Performs 'Serenade' of William Grant Still July 27

[William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.) The American Scene; Manhattan Chamber Orchestra; Richard Auldon Clark, conductor; Newport Classic NPD 85596 (1995)]

Peters' Music News

Music News, Reviews And Events For The San Gabriel Valley

“Pflueger, Prado to Conduct Orchestra at Levitt Pavilion July 27

The Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra will perform at Levitt Pavilion, Memorial Park, in Pasadena at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 27 in a program of the music of Bernard Herrmann, J.S. Bach, Karl Jenkins, William Grant Still, and Benjamin Britten.

“Founder-manager of the PSYCO, Roberta Wilcox, has enlisted the talents of two local music educators to conduct the orchestra: Bethany Ann Pflueger and Chad Prado. Pflueger, a flutist, is a Professor of Music at Glendale Community College. Prado, a violist, teaches Music Education at the elementary school level in the Pasadena Unified School District.

“PSYCO, that is, the Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra, is not without a sense of humor. One of the numbers on the program is taken from Bernard Herrmann’s score to the Alfred Hitchcock film 'Psycho'. Other music will be Bach’s 'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3; Jenkins’ 'Palladio' Concerto Grosso; 'Serenade' by William Grant Still; and Britten’s 'Simple Symphony'.”

William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found. Here is an excerpt from the entry on Serenade, which was premiered in Montana by the Great Falls High School Orchestra, conducted by Paul Schull, on May 7, 1958:

“Serenade, for flute, clarinet, harp & orchestra (1957). Mission Viejo CA: WGS Music. Duration: 8:00. Originally to have been part of a cello concerto on the suggestion of Gregor Piatigorsky. Commission: Great Falls High School, MT. Première: 1958/V/07; Great Falls High School Orchestra; Paul Schull, conductor. Duration: 7:16.

“CD: Manhattan Chamber Orchestra; Richard Auldon Clark, conductor. Newport Classic NPD 85596 (1995; The American scene).”

Bass-baritone Marcus Nance Stars in Opera 'Dark Star Requiem' in Toronto

[Bass-baritone Marcus Nance has had a diverse career. He is among the vocal stars for the world premiere of Dark Star Requiem. Jerald Bezner Photo]

Dr. Christopher Foley of Toronto teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Music, writes The Collaborative Piano Blog, and belongs to the Studio Company at Tapestry New Opera Works. He sends us this news:

“Hope you're having a great summer. I just thought you might want to take a look at these great photos of Marcus Nance, Neema Bickersteth and others from Tapestry New Opera's production of Dark Star Requiem (written by librettist Jill Battson and composer Andrew Staniland) last month:

http://www.tapestrynewopera.com/2010/07/23/dark-star-requiem-world-premiere-photos/

More information on Dark Star Requiem:

http://www.tapestrynewopera.com/current-season/dark-star-requiem/

The Toronto Star's recent article on Marcus Nance prior to the premiere:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/luminato/article/821250--versatile-singer-brings-charisma-to-dark-star-requiem-premiere

Always an avid Africlassical fan,

Chris”

The Toronto Star

“Versatile singer brings charisma to Dark Star Requiem premiere

Bass-baritone Marcus Nance began music studies as a clarinet player

Published On Wed Jun 09 2010”

“Of all the people on stage, Nance has had the most diverse career. He came to the attention of local opera audiences at the same time as soprano Measha Brueggergosman, when they were both cast in the premiere of James Rolfe and George Elliott Clarke’s Beatrice Chancy, in 1999.”

Star-Telegram: 'The Black Decameron, a musical depiction of a West African folktale by Cuban composer Leo Brouwer' at Festival

[Leo Brouwer]

An article by Chris Shull in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram explains the origin of The Black Decameron, a well-known work of the Afro-Cuban composer Leo Brouwer:

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Five questions with classical guitarist Jason Vieaux

Posted Wednesday, Jul. 21, 2010

By Chris Shull

“Jason Vieaux

Jason Vieaux is a classical guitarist, but he's not content to sit around playing only Bach or his favorite Spanish composers. Vieaux, 37, who teaches at the Cleveland Institute of Music, is well-known for incorporating myriad guitar styles, including jazz, into his concerts.

“Vieaux's wide-ranging musical interests will be heard Wednesday, when he plays a solo recital at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. His performance is one of four headlining the Fort Worth Guitar Guild Music Festival, to be held Tuesday through Saturday. The festival includes lessons and classes for aspiring guitarists at Fort Worth's Orchestra Hall.

“Vieaux's concert will include repertoire standards such as a lute suite by Bach, pieces by Spanish composers, and The Black Decameron, a musical depiction of a West African folktale by Cuban composer Leo Brouwer.” [The Afro-Cuban classical guitarist, composer and conductor Leo Brouwer (b. 1939) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Nathaniel Dett Chorale: 'Our Concerts Leave a Lasting Impression'; 'And Still We Sing' on AfriClassical

[And Still We Sing…Life, Love & Lullabies; Nathaniel Dett Chorale]

NathanielDettChorale.org

Posted on Monday, June 28th, 2010.

“The Nathaniel Dett Chorale works hard to prepare for every performance. We spend lots of time in rehearsal fine tuning the intricacies of our repertoire, and Brainerd puts a lot of thought into the underlying thread of the concert to tie it all into one beautiful, educational, and truly unique concert experience for our audiences. So, it’s rewarding to see that our efforts have a lasting effect.

“More than one year after our And Still We Sing…Life, Love & Lullabies concert, Africlassical has made a blog posting about that concert, and about the prolific African American composer Adolphus Hailstork’s Five Short Choral Works. Life, Love & Lullabies was a wonderful soundscape of repertoire befitting of the concert’s title, and we look forward to continuing to share the many facets of the African Diaspora with audiences in Toronto and abroad.”

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale ended its 10th Anniversary Season with a program called “Life, Love & Lullabies,” performed in Toronto May 27 and 30, 2009. Audio samples of the program can be heard at: http://nathanieldettchorale.org/experience/booking/programs/life-love-lullabies/ [The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a Canadian ensemble of professional vocalists who sing a wide-ranging Afrocentric repertoire. The Chorale is named for the pianist, composer and choral director R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), who is profiled at AfriClassical.com. The website features a complete Works List compiled by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory.]

And Still We Sing
Life, Love & Lullabies
2009 Concert
R. Nathaniel Dett
Adolphus Hailstork
Five Short Choral Works

Weston Sprott, Trombonist in Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Has CD 'Act I,' Is In Two Films

[Act I; Weston Sprott, Trombonist; WS Records (2010)]

The African American trombonist Weston Sprott, http://www.WestonSprott.com, released his first CD, Act I, in February on WS Records. It is a solo recording with a wide-ranging repertoire. The disc is available at CDBaby.com and the music can be downloaded at Amazon.com:

1. Sonatine: I 3:26

2. Sonatine: II 5:20

3. Sonatine: III 5:18

4. Manon Lescaut - "Tra Voi Belle" 1:22

5. Tosca - "Recondita Armonia" 3:03

6. La Boheme - "Che Gelida Manina" 4:44

7. Turandot - "Nessun Dorma" 3:06

8. L'Elisir d'Amore - "Una Furtiva Lagrima" 4:46

9. Romance 6:23

10. Manipulations 5:24

11. Concerto: I. Andante et Scherzo - Valse

12. Concerto: II. Nocturne 5:17

13. Concerto: III. Tambourin 3:53

14. Starlight - Waltz Caprice 5:08

15. Blue Bells of Scotland 6:32

Program Notes

“Weston Sprott was appointed to the position of second trombone of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in the spring of 2005. He began his musical training in his hometown of Spring, TX. Mr. Sprott attended Indiana University before completing his Bachelor of Music degree at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. His primary teachers include Michael Warny (Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Orchestras), Carl Lenthe (former Principal Trombone, Bavarian State Opera and Bamberg Symphony) and Nitzan Haroz (Principal Trombone-Philadelphia Orchestra).

“While a student at Curtis, Mr. Sprott held the positions of Principal Trombone in the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra (Philadelphia) and the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. He was the founding member of the Texas Trombone Octet, a group that won the Emory Remington competition and was featured in concert at the International Trombone Festival in Helsinki, Finland.

“Mr. Sprott has worked under the baton of many of the world's great conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, James Levine, Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Christoph Eschenbach, Andre Previn and numerous others. Mr. Sprott was recently featured in the documentary film 'A Wayfarer's Journey: Listening to Mahler' with actor Richard Dreyfuss and actress Kathleen Chalfant. He was also a performer in the film 'Rittenhouse Square' under the direction of Robert Downey, a documentary that played in major film festivals throughout the United States to critical acclaim. In September 2007, Mr. Sprott made his Carnegie Hall solo debut performing Lars Erik-Larsson's Concertino in Weill Recital Hall at the invitation of the Bulgarian Consulate.

“Other engagements have led to performances with gospel and jazz artists such as Branford Marsalis, Take 6 and Donnie McClurkin. Performances and interviews with Mr. Sprott have been seen and heard on PBS' Great Performances, NPR's Performance Today, and Sirius Satellite Radio.”

“He is currently on the faculty at the Purchase College Conservatory of Music and Juilliard's Music Advancement Program, and he previously served on the faculty of The New School University, a division of the Mannes School of Music in New York City.”

Weston Sprott
Act I
African American Trombonist
Rittenhouse Square
CD & Download
Purchase College & Juilliard