Saturday, August 4, 2012

Dominique-René de Lerma: 'Black music on NPR'


[But Not Forgotten: Music by African-American Composers for Clarinet & Piano; Marcus Eley, clarinet; Lucerne DeSa, piano; Sono Luminus DSL-92156]

Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma writes:
              I waited in vain for one of our devoted flock to comment on this, but none did.  I am a solid and dedicated follower of Exploring music, an NPR program heard weekday evenings.  It is hosted by an experienced conductor (of Ben Holt's performance of Anthony Davis' X; The life and times of Malcolm X, for example) who lacks the pretentiousness of most baton addicts and, although coming from the ranks of the trombonists, is oxymoronically further alert to the world of the piano and string quartet.  When I have lauded this oasis, amidst the endless elevation of the trivial and the trivialization of the elevated, DJs who shamelessly air movements, opera without singers, and every available fantasia on Carmen themes along with no end of Vivaldi concertos, I get a complaint that Exploring music does not consider Black musical culture.  Within a few days after that first email arrived, William Grant Still was heard (not yet, however, by his masterful Afro-American symphony or the Songs of separation).  This week's theme was new releases, and I fell in love all over again with the Emerson Quartet (especially the cellist).  But what followed them?  Marcus Eley, with music by Clarence Cameron White and Sam Akpabot!  Was I the sole auditor from our club? 
              Bill McGlauglin has indicated to me that he actually reads all of his mail, and not one show takes place without an invitation to communicate with him. 
              Even were he never to give attention to our priorities, this program should have the enthusiastic support of all of us, us especially, as long as it is on the air, before the Ice Tea Party (cold, without any sweetener) terminates anything close to the humanities.

Dominique-René de Lerma

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