MusicUNTOLD received email from Dr. Phoenix Park-Kim.
"I recently
released a CD of classical music (piano and violin, some piano solo)
written by African American composers. I have invested more than five
years in researching and compiling the music for this CD. I have always
been interested in discovering classical music by African American
composers since grad school and wanted to let the world know it is not
just jazz, blues, and pop music that they excel in. I have presented a
lecture recital on this very topic at a few different conferences. We
have not given enough attention to the classical music that embodies the
unique African American ethnic musical heritage in the classical
musical idiom. I think when these rhythmic, harmonic elements are
incorporated in classical works as an art form, they display a
confidence and expertise with European traditional classical forms and
techniques as well as unique Jazz, Blues, Spiritual idioms, which let
these works transcend both the European and African American origins.
The landscape of American music would not be complete without giving
credit to their contributions.
Dr. Phoenix Park-Kim's recent recording is 'Deep River' Music for Violin
and Piano by Composers of African Descent; Merwin Siu, violin; Phoenix
Park-Kim, piano; MSR Classics MS 1372 (2011)
John Malveaux
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