Accra-Mail.com: 'A free event' on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 'at the WEB Du Bois Centre, Accra' on March 29 3 PM

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor]

The post presents brief excerpts from an article on a March 29 commemorative program on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912):

The Mail

Accra, Ghana

“At the beginning of the 20th century, he was perhaps the first Diaspora African global musical star.

“One of his compositions, ‘Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast’, took Britain and the Western world by storm. It vied in popularity with long-established choral pieces such as ‘Messiah’ and ‘Elijah’.  Although much admired in his native Britain, he was also appreciated internationally, particularly in the US, where there were several choral societies named after him and made three well-received tours, including being the first African to conduct an all-European orchestra, which earned him the 'African Mahler' nickname.

“A big name in his day, his fame has waned in recent decades, though this is about to change in the centenary year of his death.”

“BTWSC brings to Accra, Ghana an adapted version of ‘Remembering Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’, a presentation it’s delivering 2012-13 in British schools, libraries and archives. A free event, which highlights Coleridge-Taylor’s life, music, and legacy as an African British composer and pan-Africanist, takes place at the WEB Du Bois Centre, Accra on Thursday March 29 2012 from 3-5pm.

“The programme will consist of power point-assisted presentation by music industry and history consultant Kwaku. Veteran diplomat, politician, columnist and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor fan Mr. KB Asante will introduce the question and answer section. It’s delivered in association with WEB Du Bois Memorial Centre For Pan African Culture (GH), BritishBlackMusic.com/Black Music Congress (UK), and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor 100PM Collective (UK).”

[Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features a comprehensive Works List and a Bibliography by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com Major observances of the Centennial of Coleridge-Taylor's death on Sept. 1, 1912 are underway and are the work of organizations including the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Foundation, http://www.sctf.org.uk]