Here is Episode one of Chi-chi Nwanoku's BBC Radio 4 series In Search of the Black Mozart:
Chi-chi Nwanoku has spent her career travelling and
performing in concert halls the world over as the principal double
bassist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. More recently,
she's been on a
personal journey seeking out the lives and careers of black classical
musicians from the eighteenth century who like her, played and composed
music at the highest levels. In some cases, slivers of their lives are
on record but you have to be quite determined to find out.
Chi-chi
puts the record straight and with the help of some of the finest
musical researchers around, she brings to the fore the music and lives
of musicians like violinist/composer Joseph Emidy, virtuoso violinist
George Bridgetower and composer Joseph Bologne, aka Chevalier de
St-George who not only met Mozart in his lifetime, but who was known by
all those who heard his music as the 'Black Mozart'.
In
today's programme she visits the British Library to find our more about
Ignatius Sancho - someone who was born into slavery and ended up being
the first person of colour in Britain to have the vote. Also of interest
to Chi-chi are his musical compositions which are held at the British
Library. Together with music curator, Nicolas Bell and Sancho expert
Professor Brychhan Carey the three of them assess Sancho's musical
ability and life.
In a more sinister turn of
events, Chi-chi talks to Handel scholar, Dr. David Hunter who shares his
research which reveals that Handel, whilst composing some of the most
beautiful music around was an investor in slavery.
She
also hears about the violinist and composer Joseph Emidy who became a
musical star of Cornwall's music scene and meets up with one of his
musical ancestors.
Producer: Sarah Taylor.
No comments:
Post a Comment