Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Gwendoline Y. Fortune: 'Each day I am amazed by the fulsome reporting of music, composers and musicians by AfriClassical.'

[Ushaka KaSenzangakhona: An epic in music and poetry on Shaka, son of Senzangakhona;
National Symphony Orchestra of SABC; Robert Maxym, Conductor; Mzilikazi Khumalo, Choral Director; Sony CDCSL 8047 (1997)]

AfriClassical has received a comment from one of our staunch supporters, Gwendoline Y. Fortune, Ed. D., a retired college professor who is also author of three novels:
“Each day I am amazed by the fulsome reporting of music, composers and musicians by AfriClassical. In a time and place where classical music, all uplifting arts, are being denigrated and ignored, to know of the ongoing efforts to enlighten, share and expose to the public this information is extremely valuable. I frequently forward items that I think are of special value to friends, and have seen a few friends subscribe. My wish is that I could whisk around the planet to every performance. Sadly, I must do only in spirit.
Many thanks Bill.
Gwen”

Although Dr. Fortune did not mention it in her comment, we would be remiss if we did not point out that she has spent years painstakingly researching We Do It All, an introductory series on vocal art music composed or performed by people of African descent. Much of the information was contributed by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma of Lawrence University Conservatory. Dr. Fortune assembled a wide range of recorded music, including a rare excerpt of Ushaka, a landmark historical opera combining Zulu and European elements to tell the story of King Shaka, founder of the Zulu Empire. The renowned South African composer J.S. Mzilikazi Khumalo (1932) composed the music of the opera. His biography can be found at AfriClassical.com. Gwendoline Fortune is in the final stages of recording 13 one-hour segments of the series on CD. She will soon make We Do It All available for radio broadcasts or podcasts. Anyone interested may contact her at gyfort@earthlink.net




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