Ulysses Kay
(G.D. Hackett/Pictorial Parade)
On March 23, 2014 AfriClassical posted:
Washington Post: Performance of Ulysses Kay's 'Five Portraits' 'was proof that this neglected piece of American chamber music should be heard more often.'
Kay was a member of the first cultural exchange with the Soviet Union.
Not only is Kay's chamber music neglected but his opera, orchestral and
other works are also neglected. Markings; Symphonic essay to Dag Hammarskjöld is
one of the greatest symphonies by an American composer but sinfully
neglected each year by major American orchestras. Programming
discrection by orchestra administrators is a long standing and highly
effective practice of politics and/or racism in classical music.
John
Comment by email:
"Programming discretion by orchestra administrators is a long standing and highly effective practice of politics and/or racism in classical music" refers to administrators of major orchestras. However, the same is true for many community orchestras with African American administrators who lack education and information about the accomplishments and achievements of composers of color who imitate their major orchestra counterparts to their long term self demise. Thanks, John Malveaux
Comment by email:
"Programming discretion by orchestra administrators is a long standing and highly effective practice of politics and/or racism in classical music" refers to administrators of major orchestras. However, the same is true for many community orchestras with African American administrators who lack education and information about the accomplishments and achievements of composers of color who imitate their major orchestra counterparts to their long term self demise. Thanks, John Malveaux
Without a doubt, Ulysses Kay's symphonic essay Markings should have been a staple of many conductors and orchestras around the world. I echo John Malveaux's commentary without reservation.
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